There can only be one Johnny Cash.

The US singer-songwriter died in 2003, but his music lives on. Matt Westcott talks to Clive John, whose tribute act has received the backing of the Cash family themselves. He comes to the Tyne Journal Theatre, in Newcastle, on October 12.

The show takes the audience from the 1950s up to 2002 and all the stops in between. All the greatest hits are included, Ring of Fire, Walk the Line as well as the Johnny and June duets Jackson and If I Were a Carpenter. The action on stage is accompanied by a video backdrop with evocative images and shots from Johnny Cash’s life

What does Johnny Cash mean to you?

Apart from my family – he is my world.

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?

It re-ignited 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.

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

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.

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

Both of those things and so much more.

You say some people mistake Cash’s music for being simple, why?

Because of the simple country style beat, some musicians say it’s easy until they try and play it well.

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

I’m absolutely delighted. It’s really given all my hard work credibility finally.

How did it come about?

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.

What is your favourite Johnny Cash track and why? There’s so many in his repertoire it must be nigh on impossible to pick one?

A very hard question that always gets asked. I love them all.

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?

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.

Tyne Theatre Box Office: 0844-493-9999 or eventim.co.uk