What do Johnny Cash and I have in common? Well, for one thing, we've both been to Folsom prison. Also, I can imitate him pretty good for being about half his size. I don't think he ever really had a chance to imitate me though. Too bad 'cause I think he would have done a bang-up job of it. I saw him at the Pine City fair sometime in the late 80's. My sister was working as a traveling gypsy selling leather goods to bikers as she followed the Midwest county fair circuit. I went to check up on her one time to make sure she wasn't involved with shifty drifters and down-on-their-luckers. It was mid-week, the middle of the day and it was hot and humid. I couldn't believe my luck when I heard Johnny's name announced over the loudspeaker. Hoping beyond hope and wishin' upon a star that I could somehow find my way into a grandstand that was sure to be full to capacity I hurried across the fairgrounds. To my amazement and dismay I found the place all but empty. No one in that whole dad-blamed county had the good sense or cultured taste to recognize a true American legend. Their loss was my front row gain. Turns out my sis was involved with the aforementioned drifters and pistol packers so I had to decline Johnny's invitation to join him on the road for a few shows. FYI, even though I missed my call in life to be in a cowboy band there ain't much in country music I like...Johnny, Roy, Merl and Willie are exceptions.
