After its successful performance last year at the Paradise Center for the Arts, Church of Cash returns to historic downtown Faribault. The band is known for entertaining audiences with the songs of American favorite, Johnny Cash.

The Church of Cash is not a country band, but a tribute band that honors the legacy of Johnny Cash by staying true to Cash’s vocal style and musical message. Jay Ernest, the band’s lead singer, uses his deep baritone to recreate the sound of the Man in Black.

Katie Schaumann, marketing and guest services coordinator at the Paradise, who is a musician and active in the Twin City music scene described her first time seeing the band by saying “If you close your eyes and listen to Church of Cash, it sounds like you are listening to Johnny Cash!

Ernest formed Church of Cash in Honolulu back in 2010. With many years of experience touring the United States, Europe and Asia, Ernst returned to his Minnesota home to spread the gospel of one of the world’s most enduring songwriters.

“Johnny Cash is an American favorite, and has been one my favorites since I was a little boy,” Ernst said. “[Cash] always stuck with me and as my career progress, I saw that his music really matched my voice and style.”

The Church of Cash looks forward to returning to the Paradise Center of the Arts at 7:30 p.m. Friday, after almost completely selling out last year and getting a strong reaction from the crowd in Faribault.

“When I sing the first rumbling notes of ‘Walk the Line’ that are in that same voice of Johnny Cash,” Ernst said. “I see the audience think, ‘’his is a singer that can handle Johnny Cash.’”

Tickets are $17 for members, $22 for non-members and $12 for students with a valid student ID. Tickets are available online at www.paradisecenterforthearts.org, over the phone at 507-332-7372 or at the Faribault Daily News box office, 321 Central Ave. N, in downtown Faribault. The Church of Cash show is part of the Paradise Center for the Arts annual KGPCo Music Series, and the show will be on June 30 at 7:30 p.m.

Paradise says anyone from ‘ol timer that grew up listening to Cash or a young soldier driving a tank across the deserts of the Middle East with the Man in Black in their headphones can enjoy the energy and music of the Church of Cash.

“Church of Cash wowed our audiences last year with their authentic sound and classic feel, so we are excited to bring them back again this year,” said Kristen Twitchell, Paradise executive director.