Johnny Cash Museum
Nasvhille Tennessee, my home town (well close enough) and it’s booming. We were recently in town filming for Raw Travel TV. I know that you know that Nashville is a great music town. We all know about it’s country music legacy and while I don’t have much patience or resepct for today’s modern country music scene, I do, like many punk rockers, respect immensely the old time roots country & hillbilly influence from artists back in the day and a handful of original artists today that may fall into the “country” or “crossover” genre.
Johnny Cash Musuem
What you may not know about Nashville is that it’s a musical river that runs long and deep. I was spoiled when I lived there able to take in incredibly talented musicians playing live almost every day of the week for next to nothing.
While NYC may boasts the king of all things media, Nashville is the reining champ when it comes to music. Sorry Austin, please by all means, do keep doing your thing but Nashville is the spot.
Jonah Kraut
And yes, if you are wondering, while I’m no expert I do know that there is a decent punk rock history as well. Bands like Jason and the Scorchers and venues like the famed Exit Inn (still running strong) come to mind.
While in Nashville, we soaked it all in. We stopped off a the newly opened Johnny Cash Museum and interviewed the musuem owner and Johnny Cash’s long time friend, Bill Miller, who regaled us with stories about the man in black and we swapped theories as to how and why Johnny Cash became so beloved by such a wide variety of music lovers (punks included) toward the latter stages of his life and career (and is still picking up steam even after death).
Johnny Cash Mural
We also hung out with indie rockabilly musician, Jonah Kraut, a super nice and a super talented songwriter and musician who moved to Nashville from Chicago to be around the good vibes. I’ll have his music up here soon for you to sample. I’ve listeneed to his latest CD and trust me its good stuff.
And then it was time for some psychobilly, Nashville style, with the Hellfire Revival. My producer was so excited when he heard these guys play live I thought I was gonna have to take over on main camera. They have that effect on folks live.
Hellfire Revival
Well, I didn’t take over on camera and below is just a kind of crappy iphone video of the guys performing for us but I really dig their music and wanted to get it out there to you so here goes. Visit the guys on their facebook page and let them know what you think… and tell them you heard it here… on Punk Outlaw.
Jonny Cash Mural – Downtown Nashville
Oh and remember to stay tuned to Raw Travel in February when the Nashville episode is due to premiere. I know you like punk rock or you probably wouldn’t be here, but I really think you’ll dig it.
Hellfire Revival
For now, enjoy the music of Hellfire Revival!