Petty Cash to Play Greatest Hits of Tom Petty and Johnny Cash on April 6

Todd Morse is no stranger to titanic fame. As the bassist for multiplatinum rock band The Offspring, he has witnessed worldwide worship of the group’s torrent of hits, with more than 40 million albums sold. Last year even saw the band’s largest national tour to date, which culminated in Las Vegas.

“In the 14 years I’ve been with the band, we’ve had a major resurgence,” Morse, a Las Vegas resident, tells The Smith Center. “It’s been a thrill to be part of that.”

But even with his coveted rock-star status, Morse considers himself a fan of two even longer-lasting icons: Tom Petty and Johnny Cash.

“Those songs are so universal,” he says. “I learned to be a better songwriter by playing Tom Petty songs.”

He’s not alone. Years ago, when he toured with actress-singer Juliette Lewis’ band, he developed an “incredible camaraderie” with his bandmates, who also idolized Petty and Cash.

“We had an epiphany: ‘Hey, we should do a cover band,’” Morse recalls.

Those former bandmates went on to their own careers with multiplatinum bands, including Jason Womack of Fuel and Kemble Walters of Chevelle. Yet somehow, they found the time to manifest their cover-band fantasy into reality.

Together, these rock giants created Petty Cash, performing Petty anthems such as “Free Fallin’” and “American Girl,” and Cash staples like “I Walk the Line” and “Folsom Prison Blues.”

Returning to The Smith Center on April 6, they’ll perform Petty and Cash’s most beloved hits (with a few surprises), which Morse says still generate exuberant reactions among all ages.

“That was the biggest and greatest surprise when we started the band,” Morse says. “Anywhere you go, if Petty or Cash songs are played, people can’t help but react by dancing and singing. It’s like magic.”

An Authentic Sound

After Petty Cash’s initial performance in Los Angeles in 2008 – with no rehearsal – the group’s high-energy renditions of these legendary melodies catapulted them to success.

Thanks to the group members’ musical prowess, Petty Cash performed at the Stagecoach music festival, played a residency at the historic Key Club in L.A. and earned widespread acclaim.

“We definitely uphold the melodies, lyrics and emotions of the songs,” Morse says. “We don’t sound like a cover band or a tribute band. We are channeling the same emotions as the originals.”

That authenticity has attracted the interest of numerous celebrities like Pink, who have taken the stage with Petty Cash.

“Sometimes I pinch myself over the fact that we’ve had the sons of both Bob Dylan, Jakob, and John Lennon, Julian, join us onstage,” he says.

A Personal Connection

Petty Cash remains loyal to the songs’ original versions, Morse says, because of the band members’ personal connection to the music.

“I can actually emote those feelings and love loss that Tom sings about, and I can put my heart into it,”  Morse explains. “I don’t feel like I’m just singing the cover robotically.”

Womack, who hails from Mississippi, feels just as passionately about Cash’s music, Morse adds. “He’s a Southern guy who grew up on Johnny Cash, and things from that music were happening in his life,” Morse explains.

He anticipates these melodies will also have meaning to audiences at the upcoming show. “Folks can expect lots of sing-alongs and acknowledgement for being part of the experience,” he promises.

SEE THE SHOW

Petty Cash performs April 6 at Myron’s at The Smith Center – for tickets, CLICK HERE.