September 12^th 2003. The day had finally arrived when a seemingly invincible legend succumbed to the human realities of old age, poor health and some say, loneliness and heartbreak. It was a day many of us dreaded - the first day in the world as we knew it without Johnny Cash. It was hard to find a person not stunned by his passing although it was wretchedly inevitable. Johnny Cash was a part of the family. He reached out from the vinyl and became a part of people’s lives.

Bill Dewey grew up in Ohio with childhood memories not unlike a lot of our generation. He was raised during a time when music was a central, communal activity shared by all family members. Radio ruled and record collections were shared across the generations. Although his family wasn't made of professional musicians there was plenty of music to go around. His parents were avid dancers introducing their children to a broad range of musical influences that not only included country music, but polkas schottisches and waltzes as well.

A good part of their time was spent listening to Johnny Cash recordings so much so that Bill jokes he was a Cash fan before he was even born. In fact Bill Dewey's collective talents and life experiences could rekindle the old nature/nurture discussion. Whichever side of the debate you're on you'll find evidence in Bill Dewey's life to support your argument. It's because of this profound impact that Bill knew his first 'full length' project would be a tribute to The Man who touched his life, a recognition of where his roots stem from and a thank you for the life that graced his even if it was from a distance.

When the sad news of June Carter's sudden passing made its way to him Bill knew he was meant to take a pilgrimage to her funeral. "I was shocked to hear of June's passing, I'm sure everyone probably believed she would out-live John. I didn't have to think too much about going to the funeral, John & June were people who were part of our household from the start. I sat there quietly waiting for the service to start, said a prayer or two, reflecting on the years of my life knowing their music etc. Then in came John with the rest of the family. My heart just absolutely sunk when I saw him. The grief in his face and his physical condition because of it was almost more than I could bear to look at. That was tough." he recalls.

When the time came in the service to extend an open invitation to those in attendance to say words in June's remembrance. " I realized this was for anyone who wanted to speak, so I thought about it for a moment. Then I realized to my sadness, this may be the last time I get to talk to John and tell him what he and June have meant to me, so I went up." he shares  "I started by simply saying, "My name's Bill Dewey. Mr. Cash, I love you, and you sir are my "musical father". I talked about how John & June's music has been a part of my whole life, but I did have one regret, I never got to meet June."

He continued to speak of how she had a knack of touching hearts with her wit and energy. Johnny Cash sat there never taking his eyes off of him, seeming to understand and appreciate fully what Bill Dewey was trying to express.  After sharing a few more memories Bill Dewey stepped down after thanking John for his and June's influence on his life. As he approached him, the man who had such an overwhelming impact on his life reached out to him . "He leaned forward, gripped my hand tightly saying "Thank you, thank you"......and that was it."

Making the decision to start off his recording career with a tribute album would seem like a risky move to some but for Bill there was no other way to go. He wanted to start off with something that made more of a personal statement than an attempt at a commercial product. It was something he just had to do, take the time to pay homage to where he came from before he could feel free to move forward.

When he began to complete his long planned tribute project, he was hoping he'd be able to have the honor of presenting it to Johnny in person.  But that opportunity never arrived as that inevitable September day silently came. "It threw us all for a loop, even though it was kind of in a way not a surprise since June was no longer with him. His passing occurred right in the middle of the project.  It was something I always wanted to record, then present John with a copy in person showing my respect and adoration. Now it was not to be. "

" John's service was not open to the public like June's, but I was invited to attend. It was very sad for me, as it was for the whole world. Yes tears did flow. I had always wondered how I would take it. I dreaded the day. Now, the Man In Black is with the Man In White, along with June, and his brother Jack, and his parents, Luther Perkins, and others dear to John gone on before. I believe John has now heard my efforts, I pray it met his approval."

Helping to round out the album of classic Cash tunes and Bill’s distinctive voice are the contributions of Dave Roe and WS Holland. "I've always been a fan of the Cash sound as much as Cash himself. So when I was getting close to starting the CD, I wondered if it be possible to have a couple members of Cash's band join me."

"I had worked with Dave Roe before. He played bass for John for 12 years or so, till the end. Then I asked W.S. Holland if he'd be interested, and he was. W.S. Holland played drums for Cash starting in 1960, playing for him 37 years." he continues "So it was Dave Roe playing electric and upright bass for me, and "Fluke" Holland on drums. I did all the rest myself. We tried to capture the sound of the original on a few cuts, and others I had some of my own flavor on it. We had fun recording together, I hope to do volume 2 with them someday!"

Although it seems as though destiny brought Johnny's music into his life and there's no denying the connection he feels to the man himself, it's also not all there is to Bill Dewey and his music. With the project he felt destined to do now complete, he's concentrating on his next album which will include self penned songs. He admits it'll be self induced hurdle to overcome the vocal similarity coupled with the fact his first complete album was a tribute to the Man in Black but he feels up to the challenge. He sings like he sings and there’s nothing he can do about it. Nor should he. Straight from the mike to the tape, with no audio tricks – what you hear is Bill Dewey's God given voice.

With a diverse array of musical influences from Stevie Ray Vaughn to Buddy Holly and everything in-between the next album promises to be something to look forward to and Bill's hoping to garner some interest from labels. With a few tunes in the can, the project will be one that will take in all his influences from rockabilly to traditional country to the blues.

Bill Dewey has realized Cash dividends of the most personally valuable kind, and believes in paying it forward. Meanwhile Bill will continue with performing, recording and songwriting til then. You can keep up with what he's up to, listen to sound clips from the tribute album as well as his other recordings, read his bio, etc at  www.billdewey.com Drop him a warm hello and tell him TCB sent you over his way.

Laurie Joulie TakeCountryBack November 2004