Centrestage - Entertainment Port Elizabeth

Centrestage's popular tribute to all things cowboy and country, The Good The Band and the Ugly

Johnny Cash fans and lovers of American country music are in for a treat as Centrestage celebrates the superstars of southern country influenced folk rock and pays tribute to the stellar icons who made up 4 extraordinary celebrity ensembles.

Seldom in the history of music have such powerhouse combinations got together on one stage - its the ultimate gun-fight at the OK corral as the musical big guns gather for the final shoot-out!

The Good, The Band and the Ugly pays a Wild West tribute to The Highwaymen, CSNY, The Eagles and the Traveling Wilburys - and also looks at the individual kahona luminaries.

The Johnny Cash phenomenon is brought to life by the first of 3 guest artists fronting the Centrestage All-Star band as The Man in black is played by veteran ex-Jhb performer Lionel Hunt.

Recently having moved to Port Alfred after winning several national Elvis-impersonation competitions, Hunt is a dead-ringer for the deep baritone vocals of Cash. The popular singer songwriter, who was immortalised in the movie Walk the Line, has never before been covered by Centrestage and is one of the most influential musicians of our time.

While his repertoire contains hits such as Ring of Fire, Walk the Line, Folsom Prison Blues, Ghost Riders in the Sky and Boy Named Sue, he joins his fellow country superstars Willy Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson for their 4-voice treatment of Highwaymen classics such as Mama Don't Let Your Little Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys and Help Me Make it Through the Night.

Francois Hugo steps in as Kris Kristofferson, bringing all the impressive vocal power with which he previously impressed as Joe Cocker to his interpretation of songs such as Me and Bobby McGee.

Alan Kozak stars as Willy Nelson and musical director Wayne Kallis appears as Waylon Jennings.

Hugo also impresses with his Kenny Rogers impersonation with The Gambler.

Crosby Stills Nash and Young's Southern Cross, as well as another supergroup combination The Eagles, show their country western roots with songs like Desperado, Take It Easy and Heartache tonight as they are joined up front by bassist Joe Van Der Linden.

Funnyman and drummer deluxe, Gino Fabbri, makes a welcome return to the Centrestage All-star band as Don Henley after sitting out the last 2 shows due to his comedy show commitments. He has some fun up front as The Rhinestone Cowboy and is joined by Russel Sneyd on percussion.

Claire Harmse is the third guest artist as she steps into the roles of folk icon Joan Baez in The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, later tearing up Janice Joplin on Piece of My Heart, amongst others.

The second half features the ultimate supergroup The Traveling Willburys, breaking down into 5 mini tributes before the ultimate Wilburies finale with 5 acoustic guitars up front!

Lionel Hunt emulates the trade-mark Roy Orbison vocals on You Got It and Pretty Women, whilst keyboardist Khanya Matomela does the honours as producer and ELO frontman Jeff Lynne, with the rocking Don't Bring Me Down and Hold on Tight.

Alan Kozak is a natural fit for George Harrison on While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Here Comes the Sun and Got My Mind Set On you, while Kallis brings the raunchy Southern accent to Tom Pettys Free Falling and I won't Back down before joining Harmse as Stevie Nicks for Stop Dragging My Heart around.

Hugo is again superlative as the Godfather of folk rock Bob Dylan on Just Like a Woman, Forever Young and Like a Rolling Stone, having spent many of his formative musical years performing as Dylan at Cape Towns Barleycorn Folk Club.

Its all guns a-blazing and there's bound to be a hanging as the sheriff looks to bring justice to the musical outlaws which make up Centrestage's Good, the Band and the Ugly, a not to be missed show taking place at a local saloon near you.

Roll the dice ...

1 Helluva Centrestage All-Star Band
2 Halves of sheer musical entertainment
3 Guest artists
4 Supergroups - Highwaymen, CSNY, Eagles and Traveling Wilburys
5 Country Superstars - Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson and Kenny Rogers
6 Folk/Rock Legends - Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty and Roy Orbison

It's Every Which Way but lose with Centrestage's The Good the Band and the Ugly!!