Cash Crop

Fans of the Man in Black know that Johnny Cash was just hitting his stride when he died, sitting on top of an illustrious fifty-year career that hadn't ebbed in spite of health problems and the death of his beloved wife, June Carter. The iconic Cash ethos will always be with us, though the craggy face, slicked pompadour, fancy black cowboy suit and lonesome baritone are impossible to imitate without being obvious.

But there are those who try. And one of them, Rusty Evans, who performs with his Tennessee Three-mimicking Ring of Fire band, does so with a certain reverence that makes you respect him. When he hits the stage tonight at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, 6901 Wadsworth Boulevard, it'll be strictly about Johnny, and if you close your eyes, you'll almost be able to imagine that it is Johnny up there singing "I Walk the Line" and "Folsom Prison Blues." Not bad for an evening under the Colorado stars.

The Cash tribute begins at 7:30 p.m.; for tickets, $18 for a picnic spot on the lawn or $34 for covered, reserved seating, call 720-898-7200 or go to www.arvadacenter.org.