Music

The Ring of Fire / Johnny Cash tribute in Devon (interview)

21st August 2008

Mention a Johnny Cash tribute band to your average music lover and they may develop a slight pained expression, hesitant as to how anyone could recapture the essence of such a musical legend. If this is their reaction, then this music lover has obviously not heard The Ring Of Fire.

The Torrington based band evoke the essence of the Man in Black as if straight from a time warp, covering classics such as Folsom Prison Blues and I Walk The Line, through to more modern hits such as Hurt.

Mirroring Cash's similarly strong family ties, the four piece have kept family close, with the three Collingham brothers, Sean, Joel and Luther on vocals, drums and guitar respectively, and vocalist Sean's son Tom on double bass. The band has received rave reviews throughout North Devon and beyond, developing from small pub shows to performing in front of an audience of 10,000 people.

The Ring of Fire aim to capture an authentic 1950's atmosphere, so much so that you could almost think it was 60 years ago. Dressed all in black like the man himself, the vocals and instruments alike sound like perfect replicas of Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Three.

"We like to give our shows a feel of the 1950s," said vocalist Sean Collingham. "Some of our equipment are remodels of instruments of that time."

Using slap double bass, retro guitars and replica valve amps recapture the original Cash band atmosphere.

Despite being hugely popular with Cash fans, Sean insists that the band maintain their own style and respect the legend of Cash.

"We don't go out to be a reincarnation of the Johnny Cash band," he said.

As three brothers, who have always played in bands together, The Ring Of Fire formed a few years ago, with Sean's son Tom originally playing the drums, moving on to double bass as fourth member Joel took over on drums. They began playing low key gigs in pubs around the North Devon area, most likely unaware of the success that was awaiting them.

What inspired them to become a Johnny Cash tribute band?

"We were looking for something to do and we liked a lot of Johnny Cash stuff, and we just started playing the songs," said Sean. "We had a similar attitude to music, quite dark like Cash."

Having played in rock bands together before, the foursome effortlessly capture the sullen undertones of Cash's music.

The importance of family within The Ring Of Fire draws another parallel with Cash, who often performed on stage with his wife June Carter Cash.

"It can be quite hard to work with other people but working with family means we all get on with each other," said Sean. "Cash worked with family sometimes as well'.

Where popularity is concerned, the band have gone from strength to strength. They have supported chart topping artist KT Tunstall and performed in front of more than 10,000 people at the 2007 Belladrum Tartan Heart festival.

Cash's original band were unable to make the festival so The Ring Of Fire were asked to take their place. The official Belladrum newsletter named them as: 'the leading UK Johnny Cash tribute band'. A fantastic compliment! Sean named the performance as a highlight of their career so far.

"Having that many people singing along to our songs was such a highlight and many of them were proper fans of the original band," he said. "I was quite nervous because a lot of people in the audience were there to see the real Johnny Cash band."

His nerves were in vain, however, as the band thrilled the audience and received first-class reviews. They have only increased in popularity since, with multiple shows planned across the country, some booked as far in advance as March 2009.

A true celebration of the talent and influence of Johnny Cash and the Tennessee three, The Ring Of Fire have accomplished an undeniable achievement. To be able to recreate classic songs and be fantastically well received by Cash fans is something many tribute bands can only dream of.

Whether you first heard Cry, Cry, Cry on the radio in 1955 or discovered the original songs in your Dad's old record collection, this act will blow you straight back to the time of rock and roll, June Carter and the beginning of an incredible legacy.

Catch the band at Woolsery Village Hall on Saturday, September 6 and Filleigh Village Hall on September 20. Tickets: £7 on 01805 623197.

REBECCA PARNELL

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