Bios

Tom Cavanagh (Johnny Cash)

Tom Cavanagh is thrilled to be playing the part of Johnny Cash. Cash has been a musical, creative and personal influence since his mother played Ghost Riders in the Sky for him as a small child. Cavanagh recreates the exact sound and visual image of Johnny Cash.

Tom Cavanagh brings years of touring and performing experience to the Walking the Line show. He was the guitarist in Almost Queen for four years, a lead in the off-broadway show, The Fab Four, and recently was the guitarist for Broadway's Rock of Ages. Cavanagh is the lead guitarist, singer and songwriter for his own bands, The Backseat Devils and Bent Pussycat, as well as the lead guitarist for the band TC Kross. He can also be heard on over two hundred internationally released albums.

Christine Vaskas (June Carter Cash)

Christine is the perfect choice for the role of June Carter Cash. Cavanagh and Vaskas have been singing Cash/Carter songs like Jackson and It Ain't Me Babe together for years. Christine plays the part to perfection. She is essential to recreating the Cash and Carter on-stage chemistry. Christine is an accomplished singer-songwriter herself, with several albums of her own music released internationally. She has years of theater experience and has logged countless hours of stage time with her original band and solo performances. She is also proud to be a important member of Musicians on Call for New York Hospitals and is finishing up her second degree, this one in Music Therapy.

James Erickson (Luther Perkins)

James has been involved in almost every musical endeavor of Cavanagh's for over a decade. James is a well-respected musician, teacher and often-worshiped guitar shredding god. He is well-known for his part in the internationally known Guitar Trilogy ensemble, one of the best-known classical guitar trios. He has touring and gigging experience from the many years he has played with Cavanagh in Bent Pussycat. James is also the guitarist in the award-winning band Trade Winds, one of New York's most active cover bands. James plays the role of Luther Perkins to a T. He manages to maintain the trademark Luther Perkins deadpan look throughout the show and duplicates the "click-clack" Fender reverb and slapback guitar style that is so important to the Johnny Cash sound.

Kenny Kearney (Marshall Grant)

Bassist Kenny Kearney plays the role of Marshall Grant, who was Cash's bassist since the beginning of his career and an enigma on stage. Kenny does an incredible job bringing Grant's stage persona, style and sound into the Walking the Line show. Kenny is also a member of Cavanagh's Backseat Devils and Bent Pussycat as well as the famed Santana tribute band, Abraxas. Kenny has played in numerous bands and projects in the Long Island/NYC music scene. Playing styles ranging from latin, funk/soul, blues, rock, jazz, gospel/worship, theater and country, Kenny has laid down a solid groove with some of the areas most accomplished singers and musicians.

Chris Pagano (W.S. Holland)

Chris Pagano plays the role of Johnny Cash's long-time drummer, W.S. Holland. Chris has been playing drums professionally for over 15 years and owes his success to teachers like Al Miller, Jim Chapin, Yonrico Scott and Jeff Sipe. He began his gigging career as a club date drummer and by the age of 18, Chris was spending summers playing eight shows a week at Catskill Mountain resort hotels. Over the years, he's had the opportunity to play off-Broadway shows as well as tour the Northeastern US with blues guitarist Geoff Achison. A big fan of WS Holland and Johnny Cash, Chris is thrilled to be a part of such a great project.

Lisa Stawecki (Anita Carter)

Lisa and Cavanagh originally sang together in The Mean Blue Spirit, so naturally when it was time to find the Carter Sisters for the Walking the Line show, he called on Lisa. Lisa's strong voice and range fill out the Carter Sisters' harmonies and gives the show an added dimension by adding some of the songs Anita Carter sang herself during the Johnny Cash concerts. Lisa has appeared on many albums as a lead singer and as a backing vocalist, including The Mean Blue Spirit, the Mainline Gospel Trio, Rocketman (a tribute to Elton John), the Tom Cavanagh Blues album and several Dee Harris records.

Jess Katz (Helen Carter)

Jess Katz is thrilled to return to the stage after working on the road and behind the scenes as tour personnel for 10 years. She spent her childhood on stage at the local theatre and dreams of one day being on Broadway. Jess was the 7th and final member to join Walking The Line and brought her love and ear for harmony to re-create and complete the Carter family's sound.