Singer/songwriter Clive John was a massive Johnny Cash fan, but admits the man in black had his mischievous moments.

Clive takes on the role of the country star in his theatre show, Johnny Cash Roadshow, which is heading for Swindon.

"Our band on tour gets up to all sorts, but we are not as bad as Johnny's band who were known for throwing TVs out of hotel rooms, but he was a good man and had a good soul.

"Once Johnny let out 500 baby chickens to roam over the hotel he was staying in. 100 chickens on each of the five levels,'' said Clive, who will not be bringing any poultry along to the Wyvern Theatre on Thursday, May 25, only his nine piece band.

The musicians at the core are Nick Davis on guitar, Darren Bazzoni on drums, Martin Bentley on bass with Amanda Stone, who takes on the role of June Carter.

Clive was brought up on country music, 'my mum was Irish', but Clive did his own thing, penning seven albums of his own songs before taking on the mantle of Johnny Cash. His last album, The Spirit, was nominated for Best British Country Album.

When he was just two-years-old Clive burned his fingers on an electric fire and the surgeons recommended he learn to play piano, to keep his fingers supple.

"I nearly died poking my fingers through the bars of the fire through the cage of one of the elements and I still have scars now from all the skin grafts,'' said Clive.

This unusual start to his musical career resulted in him reaching his Grade 7 piano and guitar.

When a close friend and huge Johnny Cash fan died, Clive was inspired to create a homage to the star's music.

"My right hand man passed away at only 28 years of age, and six weeks before he died he gave me a Johnny Cash double album. I just loved all the songs,'' said Clive.

The theatre show is not a copycat tribute, Clive says he does not speak in an American accent, it is a celebration of the essence of Johnny Cash.

"My voice is suited to his music,'' Clive said.

The cast have fun creating the right buzz, performing classics such as Walk the Line, Folsom Prison Blues and A Thing Called Love. The duets with Amanda include Don’t You Think It’s Come Our Time and Jackson.

"We have a right laugh together all good friends,'' said Clive.

The show struck a chord with all ages and all nationalities with the band being in demand for shows in Jersey, Germany, Sweden and Belgium including a number of festivals backing such stars as Elvis Costello, Jeff Beck and Joe Satriani.

"It is a bizarre situation, the Europeans get really in to it, more so than the English,'' said Clive. He believes the younger ones became tuned in to the sounds of Cash through the blockbuster film, Walk The Line.

Clive's biggest fans are his two sons who get excited by seeing dad up on stage.

Clive and the company will be heading for the Isle of Wight Festival in August alongside Chesney Hawkes.

Tickets to see Johnny Cash Road Show in Swindon from 7.30pm are £23.50 from 01793 524481 or www.swindontheatres.co.uk - Flicky Harrison