Johnny Cash fan lives out dream

The Man in Black’s guitar was just as simple and straightforward as the musician who had used it.

Gary Phelps cradled the instrument that Johnny Cash had once played. The Franklin resident has idolized Cash throughout his life, learning to play guitar like him, to sing like him and to convey his trademark look in concerts throughout Indiana.

Standing inside the Storytellers Museum outside of Nashville, Tennessee, Phelps felt as close to his musical hero as any time in his life.

“I held it, strummed it a little bit, played it a little bit,” he said. “Then I had to tell the owner to take it back, quick, or I wouldn’t ever let it go.”

For a longtime fan of Cash, Phelps lived out a dream scenario during his recent visit to Nashville. Not only did he get to hold Cash’s guitar, but he performed for the musician’s sister, Joanne Cash, and other members of his family. He sat at Cash’s desk, and posed next to the piecemeal Cadillac described in Cash’s hit song, “One Piece at a Time.”

The opportunity was a reaffirmation of his passion for performing Cash’s music. Phelps will perform a concert at noon Sunday at the Story Inn in Brown County, where he will once again pay tribute to Cash.

“I was in heaven. You always dream about stuff like this, but I never thought it would ever happen,” he said.

Phelps has built a side career performing the songs that Cash made famous. He combines mimicry and musicianship to pay homage, dropping his voice down and taking on a Southern-slow cadence that is startlingly similar to his hero.

He and his wife had planned a trip to Nashville to celebrate the anniversary in early September. One of their stops was at the Storytellers Museum and Hideaway Farm, a rural retreat owned by Cash that has since been turned into a shrine to the singer.

During their visit, Phelps spoke with the museum owner, Brian Oxley. When he described his passion for Cash and his music, Oxley offered Phelps the chance to hold his guitar.

Oxley also asked if he’d like to play a few songs before Joanne Cash, herself a well-known gospel singer, performed a CD release concert at the museum that night.

Phelps played two Cash songs, “Folsom Prison Blues” and “Get Rhythm.” His performance drew applause from the audience waiting inside, as well as approval from Joanne Cash and other members of the family.

“The only thing as good as hearing it from (Cash) was hearing it from his family,” Phelps said.

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Gary Phelps concert

When: Noon Sunday and Oct. 14

Where: Story Inn, 6404 SR 135, Nashville

Information: storyinn.com

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