Cash'd Out: Over the past couple of decades, tribute bands have become big business in the world of concert promotion. And, not surprisingly, the more popular ones are the acts that are most authentic. Such is the case with Cash’d Out, a San Diego based band, that channels Johnny Cash in about as close a manner to the real thing as it gets. How can you tell? Well, beyond critics having anointed Cash’d Out (Douglas Benson on vocals, Kevin Manuel on guitar, Ryan Thomas on bass and George Bernardo on drums) the “next best thing to Johnny Cash,” and the group having won four San Diego Music Awards for Best Tribute Band, the real proof lies in what members of Cash’s inner circle have said. “Cindy Cash came to a show, we made her cry and she gave me a necklace with Johnny's hair in a glass locket,” explains front man Douglas Benson. Benson added that Cash producer Lou Robin has also been to several Cash’d Out shows, and claimed that if he closed it eyes it was like “going back in time.” The only tribute band endorsed by the official Johnny Cash web page, JohnnyCash.com, Cash’d Out has played to over 1.2 million fans since forming in 2005. And those fans continually tell the group how grateful they are that Cash’d Out continues to bring back memories of loved ones who once raised them on the music of Johnny Cash. W.S. Holland, Cash’s longtime drummer, even sat in with Cash’d Out at a birthday celebration for Johnny Cash hosted by Bill and Shannon Miller of JohnnyCash.com at the Fender Museum in Corona, California. “And Bill let me play Johnny’s cherry sunburst Guild guitar,” added Benson. Cash'd Out has over 150 of JC's songs in their repertoire, and can deliver up to four hours of non-stop entertainment, including the June Carter Cash duets brought back to fame in the Oscar winning film, Walk the Line. Cash'd Out also tailors performances to suit any venue or function -- from clubs, theatres, fairs and casinos to museums and corporate events. The band’s live shows respectfully reference the late, great Man in Black's Sun Records and early Columbia era sound, combined with the energy of the classic multi-platinum live recordings from Folsom Prison and San Quentin. The group's genuine love (and authentic recreation) of Johnny Cash’s music and its universal appeal fans of all ages and of virtually all musical genres makes each Cash’d Out show a must-see event. Or as Miller says, “Some people are impressionists. These guys leave an impression.” Cash’d Out is also planning to release a CD in 2013, and will be unveiling a new online store as well. For more information, please visit www.cashdout.com

The Thirsty Crows: The roots of this new local band are grounded in various cross pollinations, old ties forming new bonds, and a mishmash of genres and styles. Steve Huante (guitar, vocals) and Chris Saunders (upright bass) used to rip, tear, and scream in the metal band Gabriels Fallen. The Fallen shared a rehearsal room with IOMA, who often enjoyed the company of their close friend Mike DiRienzo (drums), who also played locally in Broke Ass Acoustic with Chris Navarrete (Profusion, Eken Is Dead). In time, out and about, show to show, the 3 RUHS graduates grew fonder, and in post Fallen days both Saunders and DiRienzo would play off and on in one of Huante’s newer outfits the Bullys & Matadors (a presently active band featuring Kira Lingman and Rich Calkins of The Hollow Legs). Eventually, the 3 formed The Dregs Trio, as the remaining sediment left behind from unwhole bands, lingering leftovers nobody might want. As time continues to shape the ceaseless present, the sediment sunk ever deeper toward the bottom, and the 3 finally coalesced into The Thirsty Crows.