The Folsom Prison Experience at Ames Center in Burnsville – January 13th
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Get Locked Up! Folsom Prison Experience is HERE in the Twin Cities January 13th
Happening EXACTLY 55 YEARS TO THE DAY of Cash’s Iconic Performance!!
WHAT: The Folsom Prison Experience at Ames Center in Burnsville – January 13th
On January 13th, 1968, Johnny Cash made history by recording an album live inside of Folsom State Prison in California. Never having served hard time, Cash had empathy for the downtrodden. He was also receiving letters from inmates at the jail asking him to play after the release of Folsom Prison Blues in 1955.
Cash and his band performed two shows at Folsom Prison on January 13th, 1968. During the live performances, when inmates were reluctant to be too noisy or rowdy for fear of reprisals from the guards, Cash said, “I just wanted to tell you that this show is being recorded for an album released on Columbia Records, so you can’t say ‘hell’ or ‘shit’ or anything like that.”
The experience at the Ames theatre in Burnsville will feel exactly like that iconic performance back in 1968.
“The audience itself will serve the role of the inmates,” says Jay Ernest, who plays Johnny Cash. “Prison guards will be stationed throughout for what is more than a live concert, but also a theatrical performance and musical tribute drama.”
The custom set for Folsom Prison Experience was painted by renowned set designer Justin Hooper to look and feel like a prison setting that marked the most famous moment of Cash’s storied musical career. Guests are encouraged to come dressed as inmates! At the heart of this unforgettable experience is the cast/band of more than 16 members, a collection of Twin Cities’ talent that is the fuel of the Folsom Prison Experience, including:
Jay Ernest as Johnny Cash
Jay’s music career boasts more than 4000 shows in 10 countries and 32 states. He has recorded on more than 20 albums and is currently the lead singer of Church of Cash. Jay was recently awarded "Best Tribute Act" from the Midwest Country Music Organization and was also inducted to the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame. Additionally, he created his own record label, Jayder Records, in 2008 and has produced albums for a variety of artists.
Kat Perkins as June Carter
Kat appeared on The Voice Season 6 and advanced to the show’s finals.
Actor Dan Hopman as The Warden
Actor Ryan Maddux as Hugh Cherry
Actor Ryan Nelson as Edward as the Lead Guard
Members from the Hitchville band Matt Kneefe, Chris Stauffer, Mike Johnson as the Statler Brothers Bronson Bergson in multiple roles
A host of celebrity guest guards and inmates keep the show spontaneously unique
Folsom Prison Experience was co-created by Jay Ernest (playing Johnny Cash) and Tom Pickard, a 40-year veteran of the music industry who has worked with many artists as a production manager/audio engineer and also headed his own production company, Revolution Arts.
Johnny Cash was committed to helping men who were incarcerated and in that same spirit, organizers of The Folsom Prison Experience are working with a charity called Angel Tree to donate gifts to children of inmates at the Dakota County Jail over the holidays.
WHEN: Friday, January 13th
7:30 pm
WHERE: Ames Center
12600 Nicollet Ave.
Burnsville, MN 55337
TICKETS: https://folsomprisonexperience.com/shows