• Doors 6pm
• Show 7-9pm
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• Tickets for Aitkin County Friends of the Arts members are just $25!
• Non-member tickets are $30.
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CHURCH OF CASH BIO
Johnny Cash’s unforgettable voice, characterized by its booming timbre and raw power, remains an enduring presence in the collective consciousness. Jay Ernest, the talented vocalist behind Church of Cash, a tribute show band dedicated to Johnny Cash, is instrumental in preserving that legacy. With his resonant and commanding vocals, Ernest ensures that the revered Man in Black’s spirit lives on.
Music has been a constant presence throughout Ernest’s life. “I have been singing since I was very young,” he shares. “I hit puberty about a year ahead of my classmates, and when we would sing in the choir, the choir director immediately knew it was me. As a farm boy in rural Minnesota, I baled hay and did farm chores to save money for my first guitar at the age of 13. I loved the sounds of a choir and the deep bass voice of Johnny Cash. I also had a fondness for Van Halen and played the guitar as much as possible. It didn’t take long for me to realize that music was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”
Cash, choirs, and rock ‘n’ roll – Ernest embodies the true artistic spirit of the man he admires every time he takes the stage. This is why Church of Cash goes beyond being a mere cover band; it represents a career driven by passion rather than the pursuit of easy money.
Originally formed in Honolulu, Hawaii in 2009, the band later relocated to Minneapolis. In 2015, Church of Cash released their self-titled debut album. Since then, touring has become an integral part of their journey, with thousands of shows performed across the United States, Belgium, the Netherlands, and more.
Where excellence resides, accolades follow. In 2019, Church of Cash received the “Best Tribute Act 2019” award from the Midwest Country Music Organization. In 2021, Jay Ernest and Church of Cash were honored with induction into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame. Never one to rest on his laurels, Ernest, with the assistance of his friend Tom Pickard, wrote a Cash-focused musical titled “Folsom Prison Experience.” The project tours nationally.