Our favorite non-country man, Andy Grammer, has been invited to perform as part of an all-star lineup with some of music’s biggest names for a celebration of THE MAN of Country Music. “We Walk The Line: A Celebration of the Music of Johnny Cash” is a one-time event–taking place April 20th at Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater in Austin, TX will celebrate the life and legacy of Johnny Cash in honor of what would have been his 80th birthday this year. Others confirmed to perform include Kenny Chesney, Kris Kristofferson, Ronnie Dunn, Shooter Jennings, Lucinda Williams, Ray LaMontagne and Jamey Johnson with more legendary surprise guests to be announced soon.

Although he’s not country, Andy couldn’t be more excited to celebrate the country music legend.

This is an incredible event to be a part of. I am a huge fan of Johnny Cash and feel honored to be one of the artists remembering him. He is one of the greats.

I think he brought a very distinguishable point of view. We all get the same chords and words to choose from and few singers get across the raw honesty and vulnerability that Johnny Cash does. Music is supposed to make you feel, Johnny Cash will make you feel.

I am a fan of his lyric writing. His lyrics have a way of being simple and classic. You find yourself singing the words and knowing what rhyme is coming but it’s not a letdown, it’s more of a feeling that it’s exactly what should be there. That’s really hard to do, he was a master at it.

“Folsom Prison Blues” has a sad, somber lyric over chugging energetic chords. It leaves you snapping in your despair. Very Johnny. “I’d Rather Die Young” is basically a love song saying how much he needs his love. He takes it from the slow tragic point of view saying, “I’d rather die young then grow old without you.” There is a reality in his point of view that we have all felt. It’s weird and I don’t understand it but when I listen to his sad songs they make me happy.

It’s great to see respect for all country music has to offer from the non-country crowd.

On a side note, if you haven’t heard of Andy Grammer or if you have and you haven’t seen him live…You are missing out!!!  He spreads happiness and fun!  Check him out.

Got some country music gossip and don’t wanna be a tattle tale? Email me, Tawny Tucker, Tawny@countrymusictattletale.com Don’t miss a country music beat! Sign up to receive free email updates or subscribe to CMTT via RSS today!

On April 20th, music stars and friends will join together to celebrate the life of Johnny Cash in Austin, TX at “We Walk The Line: A Celebration of the Music of Johnny Cash.” In the year that would mark his 80th birthday, the concert, which will take place at Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theatre, will not only pay tribute to Cash and his music, but also to his roots and his heritage. Performances will include GRAMMY-winning and GRAMMY- nominated musicians Carolina Chocolate Drops, Kenny Chesney, Chris Cornell, Ronnie Dunn, Jamey Johnson, Kris Kristofferson, Ray LaMontagne, Amy Lee and Lucinda Williams, as well as performances by Brandi Carlile, Andy Grammer, John Hiatt, Shooter Jennings and Rhett Miller with more performers to be announced shortly. Tickets go on-sale to the general public on Wednesday, February 29th.

“Our family is honored to know that this amazing line-up of artists will gather together on one stage to pay tribute to the music and history of my father,” said John Carter Cash. “There is no doubt in my mind that, although he is no longer with us in body, his spirit will shine true on this night thanks to these inspired artists.”

“Having been a fan of Johnny Cash and his music for as long as I can remember I could not be more excited to produce an event that honors such a musical legend,” noted Keith Wortman. “His iconic voice, style and authenticity has inspired musicians for generations and we are proud to be able to celebrate his artistic legacy with some of today’s greatest entertainers while also benefitting such an amazing children’s cause ‘Charley’s Fund’.”

An all-star band led by GRAMMY Award-winning Don Was – which includes Buddy Miller, Kenny Aronoff, Ian McLagen, and Greg Leisz– will back these once-in-a-lifetime performances. The concert event will be produced by Keith Wortman. Was, who worked with Cash on an album for The Highwaymen, will serve as musical director. Tisha Fein and Chantel Sausedo will serve as talent producers. A percentage of the net proceeds will be donated to Charley’s Fund, to help in the fight to find a cure for the fatal children’s disease Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Cash’s 80th Birthday celebration kicks off on February 26th, the day which would have been his 80th birthday, with the ground-breaking of the Johnny Cash Boyhood Home Project in Dyess, Arkansas. The house that Cash grew up in will become a permanent tribute to him and his family’s early life, as well as reflecting a historical slice of American life during the 1930s’ Great Depression. In addition, Legacy Recordings is set to celebrate this landmark year with a full slate of projects to be released throughout the next 12 months. First up is “Bootleg Vol. IV: The Soul of Truth,” a 2-CD, 51-track collection which comprises gospel and spiritual recordings made by Cash in the 1970s and ‘80s, to be released on April 3, 2012.

Tickets will go on-sale to the general public on Wednesday, February 29th at 10 a.m. CST and are available at http://www.acl-live.com/, at Waterloo Records or charge by phone 877-4-FLYTIX.

Got some country music gossip and don’t wanna be a tattle tale? Email me, Tawny Tucker, Tawny@countrymusictattletale.com