photo by Luca DePalo

by Luca DePalo, Contributing Blogger

Shawn Barker/The Man in Black

Park Theatre, Cranston, RI

March 28, 2026

On a beautiful March evening in Cranston, Rhode Island, a sold out crowd gathered together to hear the unmistakable sound of Johnny Cash, performed by one of the world’s most respected tribute artists, Shawn Barker. Marking his long-awaited return to the state, after last year’s performance, Barker’s The Man in Black: A Tribute to Johnny Cash was more than a concert, it was a musical journey.

photo by Luca DePalo

About the Venue

The venue, named the “Historic Park Theatre & Event Center,” stands as a relic to over a century of entertainment, culture, and community in the city of Cranston. Since its early days, it has welcomed generations of audiences, evolving alongside the city while preserving its historic charm. Local entrepreneur Ed Brady and business partner Jeff Quinlan took over the theater and began extensive repairs around three years ago after it permanently closed in 2020. Now in 2026, the theater operates under the management of Spectacle Live, marking a major step in its revival. As part of Spectacle’s growing network of venues, the Historic Park Theatre has been transformed into a fully modern, performing arts center while still preserving the state that defines its century-long legacy.

photo by Luca DePalo

The Concert

As the band hit the first opening chords and began “The Wreck of The Old ’97,” the audience was already gripped tight, with the 6-piece group having a vintage stage presence and grateful emotion. Meanwhile, Barker stood upfront with a rich baritone voice, which glorified the following tracks, “Big River” and “Country Boy.”

Without any banter, Barker walked up to the front of the stage, with just a simple line. “Hello, I’m Johnny Cash,” Barker stated, before kicking into the 1964 hit “Folsom Prison Blues,” a classic in every setlist honoring the legendary Johnny Cash.

photo by Luca DePalo

The band includes Shawn Barker on lead vocals and the acoustic guitar, keyboardist Thomas Johansen, female backing-vocalist Emily Portman, drummer Steve Wilson (who is also the current drummer for the punk rock band Dead Kennedys), electric guitarist Dean O’Leary, and bassist Bruce Thomsen.

Barker’s conversational banter between songs made the night feel super special, due to the intimacy of the venue, allowing him to talk with the audience as if they were face to face. He spoke warmly about bringing this show for over 23 years across North America, and his excitement about returning to Rhode Island, before performing the classic hits “I Got Stripes,” “Hey Porter,” and “I Walk the Line.”

photo by Luca DePalo

After a well-deserved twenty-minute intermission, the second half took an unexpected turn. It opened with the thundering “(Ghost) Riders in the Sky,” my personal favorite, before diving into the famed “Man in Black,” the iconic name Johnny Cash earned after his consistent black stage attire at every show.

But what truly set Barker’s performance apart from other tribute acts was his willingness to lean into the later years of Cash’s career. His cover of “Rusty Cage” (originally by Soundgarden) filled with a surprise jam of Primus’ “My Name Is Mud” and a killer session of Whitesnake’s “Still Of The Night” was a thrilling highlight, especially for the younger audience members. And nope, he didn’t stop there, Cash’s famed covers of “Personal Jesus” and “Hurt” were performed with raw emotion, showcasing Barker’s deep understanding of Cash’s work. These emotional pieces were also some of his final songs before his death at the age of 71 on September 12th of 2003.

photo by Luca DePalo

Of course, no tribute would be complete without “Ring of Fire,” which had the entire theater singing along. And just when the crowd thought the night was over, Barker returned on the stage for an encore with “Cocaine Blues,” a fiery finale that left the room buzzing for more after the last note rang out.

Shawn Barker delivered not just a night of paying tribute, but a full celebration of Johnny Cash’s timeless legacy. From the early Sun Records hits to the darker, more deeper era, Barker honored every chapter with heart and performed as authentically and pure as he could.

If his promise to return next year holds true, Rhode Island will surely welcome him back with open arms. Until next time, keep supporting live music!!