Memories of Johnny Cash

It's no secret to those who know me that I am a big fan of the late, great Johnny Cash. Even when I was a little boy growing up in the Sacramento Valley I listened to my mothers Johnny Cash LPs and watched the Johnny Cash show every Sunday night. I will never forget the day I met the Man in Black after his show in Seattle at the 5th Avenue Theatre. We got to talk some. I got his autograph. He shook my hand. I have never been one for chasing stars and getting people's autographs, but I got Johnny Cash's and I have always cherished it. Like I said: I was a fan before everyone else decided that it was cool to listen to JC, before the movie. I just know what I like and I have always appreciated the uniqueness and original style of Johnny Cash.

I'm always listening for new sounds that are original, unique in style, but also revealing an influence that pays homage to the great stylists who have gone before. One day my friend Nick Collins asked me to check out The Unfaithful Ways on MySpace so I checked it out. What was I hearing? Those boys have to be from Tennessee. Turns out they're a local, home-grown band playing alt-country, bringing something new to the scene while honouring the old. They are Marlon Williams, Ben Woolley, Sebastian Warne and Simon Brouwer. When my birthday rolled around Nick said he was going to buy me a copy of their new EP introducing The Unfaithful Ways' "Four First Songs." How cool is that? So then Nick checks his mobile and tells me to follow him and we head over to the Music Department at University of Canterbury to meet Marlon. We talked. I got his autograph. He shook my hand.

I'll be watching Marlon and his mates from now on. I think we're all gonna hear a whole lot more from them and about them.

Springtime in Canterbury

Ah, spring is in the air! At long last—oh the joy that fills the winter-weary heart. Have you seen the blossoms, the daffs, the blue bells? It’s that time of year when we get out in our gardens and turn the soil. The very act renews a sense of hope deep within us. We have survived another winter and life abounds. All manner of seedlings are bursting forth from pots of soil in the windowsills. It’s time to start thinking about taking your tea outside. Spruce up the place a bit and get the barbee ready. Springtime!

Give me the splendid silent sun

with all his beams full-dazzling.

—Walt Whitman

Love is in the air! Just look at some of our students. Even us old married folk; holding hands, making eyes, txting: i luv u and i luv u 2.

In the spring a young man’s fancy

lightly turns to thoughts of love.

—Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Springtime in New Zealand does not always mean fair skies and warm breezes. We might still get a few frosts before the real onset of more temperate climes. The flowers are our best reminder and then there’s that silly little feeling you get when you’re with the one you love. I have found that when it’s supposed to be spring, but the air is cold and the southerly is blowing, it helps to sing a song. The one that works for me is that old Johnny Cash number, “When It’s Springtime in Alaska (It’s Forty Below).”