From his #1 hit “I Walk the Line” in 1956 to the iconic “Folsom Prison Blues,” many have known and loved ‪Johnny Cash over the years. No love, though, seems as great as the love that singer/songwriter ‪June Carter and ‪Johnny Cash shared during their many long years together. Despite both being married at the time of meeting, and battling years of addiction, the connection between them was undeniable. In the first 13 years of their relationship, Cash attempted to make Carter his wife multiple times, and each time she denied him. Eventually June had to admit to the attraction and is quoted as saying, “I think I’m falling in love with ‪Johnny Cash, and this is the most painful thing I’ve ever gone through in my life,” as reported by Groovy History. She described it as being “in a ring of fire,” which inspired the writing of “Ring of Fire,” a song that appeared on both of the artists’ albums. Finally in 1968, Cash and Carter were engaged and soon married. Through passion and tumult, and even in the wake of their passing, the love that burned between them will always be present in their heartfelt and truthful lyrics written and performed for one another. As one of the most beloved couples in music history, ‪Johnny Cashand ‪June Carter Cash’s love lives on through their iconic duos and many albums recorded with each other.

Like their predecessors ‪Johnny Cash and ‪June Carter, who were well known performers before meeting, Danny Evans (aka Danny Uzilevsky) and Essence (Essence Goldman) of ‘Johnny & June Forever’ were also seasoned artists in their own rights before meeting. Born in the same hospital just two days apart, they had been playing music in the same circles for years, knew all the same people, but never actually met. Danny and Essence finally crossed paths in the fall of 2018 at Danny’s Allegiant Studio while Essence was recording her soon-to-be released new record. They had an immediate recognition of how well their voices and musical directions compliment each other. Reminiscent of ‪Johnny Cash and ‪June Carter Cash and other great male /female duos, this pair is a powerful emerging voice on the Americana landscape. In addition to their original music they have decided to pay homage to their heroes and dig deep into their passion for roots music with a ‪Johnny Cash and ‪June Carter Cash Revue.

Danny Evans, veteran guitarist and singer/songwriter is one of the best kept secrets of the Northern California music scene. Son of Rusty Evans, who reigned supreme as a ‪Johnny Cash Tribute Artist under the name Ring of Fire, Danny played guitar in the family band for 20 years. Danny has been called “a canny stylist and musical chameleon.” He’s shared the stage with legends such as ‪Link Wray, ‪Dick Dale, Taj Mahal, Bill Kirtchen, ‪Leo Nocentelli + many more and was celebrated as a local hero fronting the band Chrome Johnson. Danny’s musical career spans several decades, and his A list talent and charisma on the stage is only rivaled by his studio skills at the mixing board, engineering and producing records.

Award winning singer-songwriter essence has been immersed in art and music since childhood. Her birth name really is ‘essence’ – she was raised by quintessential flower children, her parents being two free spirited bohemian artists from the Haight-Ashbury ‘Summer of Love.’  essence has released 6 CDs (with a 7th on the way!) on both independent and major labels, and toured nationally opening for ‪Jason Mraz, ‪Shawn Colvin, ‪Tom Petty, ‪Sarah McLachlan, ‪Natalie Merchant, ‪Chrissie Hynde, ‪Steve Miller, ‪Pat Benatar, and ‪Linda Perry. Her sound nods to songwriting legends like ‪Tom Petty and ‪Lucinda Williams, ‪Dolly Parton, and ‪Gillian Welch.  Essence has been featured in the San Francisco Chronicle and BBC and performed on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert. The story of her band Bernie and the Believers is currently being developed into a full length Hollywood feature film.

There is little doubt among the pure rock community that the legendary band Queen and lead performer Freddie Mercury earn high ranks as one of the most powerful and iconic groups in rock history. Queen, the kings of arena rock, performed to packed stadiums around the globe for over two decades.

Freddie took showmanship by a rock front man to a new untapped level and was undisputed crowned the lord of arena rock. He mesmerized audiences with his charismatic energy and larger than life stage persona. Upon his death in 1991, a huge void was left in the rock concert world, which to this day has not yet been matched.

Queen Nation, a tribute to Queen, was formed in 2004. Queen Nation consists of: Gregory Finsley on vocals & keyboards as Freddie Mercury, Mike McManus on guitar as Brian May, Pete Burke on drums as Roger Taylor, and Parker Combs on bass as John Deacon. The mission of the show is to carry on the musical torch and pay homage to the golden age of vintage Queen concerts.

Queen Nation’s live 90-minute production of Queen’s greatest hits preserves the image, sound, and stage persona of vintage Queen. Audiences are amazed at the accuracy of Queen Nation’s live retrospective journey through such Queen songs as We Will Rock You – Bohemian Rhapsody – We Are The Champions – Crazy Little Thing Called Love – You’re My Best Friend – Another One Bites The Dust – Under Pressure and many more. They have performed in front of thousands of people at casinos, fairs, festivals and private affairs.

“Class act” — Las Vegas Badger

“Queen Nation exhibits all the magic, power, talent and the raw, explosive energy of the original Queen.” — California Rock News

“Fantastic” — Las Vegas Badger

“Queen Nation is an experience every fan of Queen needs to have once….OK twice. Better yet, as often as possible.” –— California Rock News

1. Another One Bites The Dust
2. Bohemian Rhapsody
3. We Will Rock You
4. We Are The Champions
5. You’re My Best Friend
6. Under Pressure
7. Crazy Little Thing Called Love
8. Fat Bottomed Girls
9.  Love of My Life
10. Now I’m Here
11. Killer Queen
12. Bicycle Race
13. Play The Game
14. Tie Your Mother Down
15. Stone Cold Crazy
16. Keep Yourself Alive
17. We Will Rock You (fast version)
18. Don’t Stop Me Now
19. Dragon Attack
20. Somebody To Love
21. I’m In Love With My Car
22. I Want To Break Free
23. Death On Two Legs
24. Spread Your Wings
25. Get Down Make Love
26. Show Must Go On
27. Let Me Entertain You
28. Save Me
29. Radio Gaga
30. It’s Late
31. Hammer To Fall
32. Flash

“Dave Brock comes closest to capturing the look and spirit of Jim Morrison … and the band ain’t bad either.” — Danny Sugarman Co-Author “NO ONE HERE GETS OUT ALIVE”

“From every angle, Dave Brock is Jim Morrison: his looks, his act and most amazing of all is his voice!” —The L.A. Weekly

“These guys are excellent, not a cartoon version of The Doors” —Radio Legend Jim Ladd

“The best one I’ve heard is Wild Child …” —Robby Krieger, The Doors

“… the way they play the music is uncanny. I saw Wild Child and they know Jim’s moves and raps as well as he did. The drummer did something on “Break on Through” which was so interesting, I stole it back!” — John Densmore, The Doors

“This is as close as you’ll get to the real thing.” — Ray Manzarek, The Doors

“Light My Fire” with Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger of the Doors:

OC Fair 2017: