Thomas Gabriel (country singer)
Thomas Gabriel is an American singer and songwriter and is the eldest grandchild of singer and actor Johnny Cash. Gabriel's music has been described as a mix of Americana/Roots with a hint of country and rock.[1]
Biography
Gabriel was born in 1973 in Ventura, California, to Kathy Cash and Thomas Coggins. Kathy Cash is one of four daughters Johnny Cash had with first wife Vivian Liberto Cash. Kathy was just 16 years old when Thomas was born.[2]
He spent time touring with grandparents Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash as a boy and became interested in music at an early age, taking up guitar at age 11. In addition to following in his family’s musical footsteps, Gabriel also followed down the path of substance abuse[3] that has plagued the Cash and Carter families. He began drinking at age 13.[4]
Despite Gabriel's interest in music, his grandfather, Johnny Cash, steered him away from show business and into law enforcement. Gabriel served as a police officer for eight years before drinking and drug abuse caused him to resign.[5] His addictions led to a lengthy arrest record, and a number of years in prison.[5]
While in prison, Gabriel once again turned his attention to music. After his release, he continued work on musical projects he had started behind bars but struggled to stay sober.
Producer Brian Oxley had recently purchased Johnny Cash’s farm[6] in Tennessee and had taken an interest in the Cash family and Gabriel. He persuaded Gabriel to make his 22nd attempt at entering rehab.[7] After a year in rehab, Gabriel began work with Oxley on his first independent album, Long Way Home, released in 2018.
Musical career
Long Way Home
Gabriel released his debut album in 2018. The 11-track album included:
- "Everything Must Be Sold"
- "1974"
- "Cell"
- "Instant Release"
- "Get on Home"
- "Slipping Away"
- "Come to Me"
- "Always Is Forever"
- "Twangtown"
- "Never Going Back Down"
- "Long Way Home"
Reviews for the album praised its combination of dark, progressive music with blues, gospel, and rock n' roll.[8]
Folsom Prison performance
In October 2018, 50 years after his grandfather's legendary live performance at Folsom State Prison in California, Gabriel and his guitarist Derek Toa performed two shows for prison inmates.
The singer performed a mix of his own music along with some of Johnny Cash's classic hits.[9]
"Right Side of the Dirt"
Gabriel released the single "Right Side of the Dirt" in April 2020.
The singer called the song a reflection on how much his life has improved from the time when waking up in the morning was the worst part of his day.[10]
References
- ^ ""LONG WAY HOME" BY THOMAS GABRIEL". OUTLAW REVIEW. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
- ^ "Johnny Cash, Vivian Liberto and June Carter". yeahpot.com. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
- ^ "Johnny Cash's son opens up on parents' addictions". Reuters. 2007-05-31. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
- ^ Windsor, Pam. "Johnny Cash's Grandson, Thomas Gabriel, Comes Full Circle". Forbes. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
- ^ a b "Thomas Gabriel carries on the Cash legacy as a clean and sober musician". The Ties That Bind Us. 2019-08-12. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
- ^ "Storytellers Museum and Hideaway Farm". Storytellers Museum and Hideaway Farm. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
- ^ Johnson, Nicole (2019-02-28). "Johnny Cash's grandson credits healing powers of music for saving his life". WZTV. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
- ^ Coroneos, Kyle (2018-12-05). "Grandson Thomas Gabriel Continues Johnny Cash Legacy with 'Long Way Home'". Saving Country Music. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
- ^ "Johnny Cash's Grandson Performs At Folsom Prison". RadarOnline. 2018-10-05. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
- ^ Thomas Gabriel on writing Right Side of the Dirt, retrieved 2020-07-13 – via Facebook