THERE can only be one Johnny Cash. But though the man might have passed over, his music lives on. Matt Westcott speaks to Clive John, whose tribute act has received the backing of no less than the Cash family themselves. He comes to the Tyne Journal Theatre in Newcastle on October 12.

Matt: What does Johnny Cash mean to you?

Clive: Apart from my family - he is my world.

Matt: You began singing Cash's songs after the death of a friend and seeing the movie, Walk The Line? What was it about the film that made you think the time was right?

Clive: It reignited the world to Johnny Cash in a new and exciting way. He's always been there, but I was surprised at how many young people didn't even know his name! Now a lot of them do. I've been a performing artist all my life and I knew this was the time to change direction and was also introduced to music that I genuinely love more than any other style.

Matt: Was there any fear or trepidation in adopting the persona of such a legendary figure?

Clive: My show is a tribute, not an impersonation. I try to capture the essence of what it was like to be at one of Johnny's concerts, but giving my own twist on it. I used to get nervous with everyone looking at me and comparing, but I'm fine with it now.

Matt: Is it the voice, the songs or both that make Johnny Cash?

Clive: Both of those things and so much more.

Matt: You say some people mistake Cash' music for being simple, why?

Clive: Because of the simple country style beat. Some musicians say it's easy until they try and play it well!

Matt: To have the backing of the Cash family must have been a nice vindication of the work you have put in?

Clive: I'm absolutely delighted. It's really given all my hard work credibility finally.

Matt: How did it come about?

Clive: Caitlin (Johnny's granddaughter) came to check the show in Altrincham, Manchester. The theatre manager told me a young American girl was at the box office and wanted some free seats claiming who she was. It sounded far-fetched to me, but it turned out to be true! I met her in the interval and at the end.

Matt: What is your favourite Johnny Cash track and why? Mine is I've Been Everywhere because it's so difficult to remember, but there's so many in his repertoire it must be nigh on impossible to pick one?

Clive: "Very hard question that always gets asked. I love them all."

Matt: Cash showed that even in his later days, he could cut it with modern artists. Do you think there will ever be time when people say Johnny who?

Clive: Not possible - there's too much wealth of material there. My children are six and eight and they're JC fans - or rather Clive John doing JC fans!