>From Billboard Online: April 7, 1999, 11:00 a.m. EDT Johnny Cash Makes Surprise N.Y. Appearance Returning to the stage for the first time since his bout with pneumonia last fall, Johnny Cash electrified an audience in New York last night with a surprise appearance at an all-star concert in his honor. Cash performed "Folsom Prison Blues" and was joined by an ensemble of country and pop stars for "I Walk The Line," which served as the finale to the evening. Billed as "An All-Star Tribute To Johnny Cash," the show at the Hammerstein Ballroom will air April 18 on Turner Network Television as part of the TNT Master Series. Cash's appearance capped an evening in which many of the artists he inspired performed together in inspired pairings. Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, and Lyle Lovett linked up for "Big River." Kristofferson was later joined by Trisha Yearwood on his own "Sunday Morning Coming Down," and Nelson delivered a medley of Cash chestnuts with Sheryl Crow. The latter returned with Emmylou Harris, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and Marty Stuart to perform "Flesh And Blood." And Harris teamed with Dave Matthews for "The Long Black Veil." Cash's entire family was on hand for the event; wife June Carter Cash, daughter Rosanne Cash, and son John Carter Cash all participated. Other performers included Chris Isaak, Brooks & Dunn, and Wyclef Jean, who injected a rapped verse of his own into Cash's folksy "Delia's Gone." There were also taped performances by U2, Bruce Springsteen, and Bob Dylan. The Mavericks served as house band, and actor Jon Voight was the host. But is was Cash who stole the show. The 67-year-old music great suffers from Shy-Drager syndrome, and the illness has clearly taken its toll. Cash's face was red and puffy, his eyes sagged, and his hair has gone thin and gray. But he showed no shortage of enthusiasm last night. "Feels good," he said repeatedly as he received ovation after ovation.
