Cash will charge back in 2018 with a couple of other good old boys in a new tribute – “Waylon, Willie, Cash: Outlaws and Highwaymen,” at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10 at the Clark State Performing Arts Center.
The show is presented by the Springfield Arts Council.
The two previous tribute shows have been among the Arts Council’s most popular offerings in recent seasons. Hale is eager to offer more.
“I love to do these shows. A great song is hard to beat when it’s done well, and there’s a deep love and respect for this music,” he said.
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The Highwaymen with Cash, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson along with a fourth member, Kris Kristofferson, formed as a country super group in 1985.
The show will lean on the group’s songs and each performer’s best tunes, including a nod to Kristofferson. Hale said the hardest part is narrowing which songs to perform.
“We do it justice and try to make the songs reverent, but not just a recreation,” Hale said. “We put our own personalities into it.”
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According to Hale, Nelson’s music surprises because despite his outlaw persona there’s a sentimental quality to songs like “Sad Songs and Waltzes.” Nic Chamberlain performs as Nelson.
Jennings’ songs will include what may be his best known to general audiences – the theme to “The Dukes of Hazzard” as portrayed Zach Ryan.
“The second Zach opens his mouth, the crowd loses its minds,” said Hale. “He has that heft to his voice the way Waylon did.”
Hale is glad to see a lot of younger audience members attending these concerts.
“Rock is about youth and you can tell what’s a good song when the kids react and that’s kind of a cool feeling,” he said. “In Nashville, there’s a strong movement in outlaw country, so the connection isn’t lost.”
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He’s working on several other classic tribute acts such as Simon and Garfunkel, the legendary ladies of country and even the super group The Traveling Wilburys.
Now with his third Springfield appearance, Hale has taken to the town and wouldn’t mind continuing as a regular as he enjoys the city’s architecture and the audience’s appreciation of the music.
“We live for creating great rock and roll shows. Ya’all get it here,” Hale said. “This music is still vibrant and feels new. It gets right to the point and speaks true to rock and roll.”
WANT TO GO?
What: Waylon, Willie, Cash: Outlaws and Highwaymen
Where: Clark State Performing Arts Center, Kuss Auditorium, 300 South Fountain Ave. Springfield
When: Saturday, Feb. 10, 8 p.m.
Admission: $52, $47, $42, $32
More info: 937-324-2712 or go to www.springfieldartscouncil.org/event/waylon-willie-cash/
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