The Show
With his strikingly similar looks, baritone voice, and spot-on mannerisms, Shawn Barker has an uncanny resemblance to the original “Man In Black”. Delivering a truly one-of-a-kind show, Barker revitalises the true character and spirit of Mr. Cash himself, one of America’s greatest musical icons. The energetic performance features Barker in character throughout the entire evening, walking the audience through each era of Cash’s life and music, including hits like “Folsom Prison Blues,” “I Walk The Line,” “A Boy Named Sue,” “Hurt” and “Ring of Fire,” complete with a full backing band.
Shawn Barker has been performing internationally as The Man In Black for over two decades and has performed thousands of shows, selling more than one million tickets over the course of his career. Born and raised in a working-class suburb of St. Louis, Barker took a schoolboy love for singing in church with his family and turned it into a career. The path to his current success wasn’t a straight line from gospel choir to Johnny Cash tribute act. After serving his country in the Army, Barker returned home to Missouri, took a job as a carpenter, and spent all of his free time learning how to play the guitar.
He developed strength and versatility in his voice by modeling his crooning on a cast of legends – Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly and Gene Vincent. His performances quickly turned from hobby to profession, but oddly enough, Barker’s first touring gigs were portraying Elvis, not Johnny Cash. Everything changed, however, when Barker was asked to audition for the part of Cash in a Hollywood production, as it became evident to the director and Barker himself that Johnny Cash was his true calling. From that point there was no turning back. The Man In Black has become the best Johnny Cash Tribute act in the world, with many productions and brands commissioning Barker and his baritone voice for radio, TV, and voiceover productions, to include Barker being featured in a national ad campaign for Coca-Cola.
Shawn Barker’s show is exactly like The Johnny Cash Show from the 1960s. It’s amazing, like I’m starting over again”
WS Fluke Holland – Father of the drums and Drummer of Johnny Cash for 40 years
Shawn Barker is, hands down, the best tribute to Johnny Cash in America”
Jonathan holliff – filmmaker of My Father and the Man In Black and son of the personal manager of johnny cash saul holiff
Why I Do It
When you love music as much as I do and people love Johnny Cash as much as they do there really isn’t much of a choice. I do what I do so people can continue to enjoy the music of Johnny Cash over and over again. For me there is no beating a live show and since we cannot see Johnny live anymore I am proud to be celebrating his music each and every time I go on stage.
As one of his greatest fans I am as loyal to his music as the next Johnny Cash Lover. Johnny’s music has feeling and thats something you get best from a live show.
Custom guitar design by Oak Creek Guitars
Testimonials
“Barker true to spirit of Johnny Cash” Dallas Morning News
“I was awed by his performance… He sounds just like John” Dr. Bruce KFTX Corpus Christi.