Photos by Andy Argyrakis

As one of Johnny Cash’s daughters, music may as well have been implanted into the DNA of Rosanne Cash, though she quickly carved out her own career throughout the 1980s to now, repeatedly topped the country charts, earning constant critical respect and taking home a trio of Grammy Awards.

A case in point came somewhere in the middle when “The Wheel” found the singer/songwriter bravely putting together a palette of folk, pop, rock, Americana and possibly her most personal expressions at that point after a marriage to ace troubadour/producer Rodney Crowell came to an end.

It also marked the beginning of a professional partnership with fellow multiple Grammy-winning songwriter/producer John Leventhal, who she went on to marry and work alongside to this very day, which made it all the more appropriate for the pair bring the “Reinventing The Wheel” Tour to the treasured Old Town School Of Folk Music in honor of the recently reissued album’s 30th anniversary.

During the second of two sold out shows, the couple began by addressing the last decade’s likes of “Modern Blue,” “The Sunken Lands” and “The Only Thing Worth Fighting For,” demonstrating an obvious creative chemistry and loving yet comical banter between them.

A deeply emotive, stripped down spin on “Tears Falling Down,” “You Won’t Let Me In,” “If There’s A God On My Side,” and of course, “The Wheel,” came from that very collection, featuring themes of pain, growth and ultimate transformation propelling each diary-like revelation.

Cash soon told the tale of her father once writing down “The List” of his hundred top roots tunes, and in turn, delivered Lefty Frizzell’s “Long Black Veil,” Don Gibson’s “Sea Of Heartbreak” and Hank Snow’s “I’m Movin’ On,” plus a bonus of The Beatles’ “And Your Bird Can Sing.”

Leventhal previewed the earthy acoustic track “That’s All I Know About Arkansas” off an upcoming solo debut project as Cash stunningly sang lead, followed by their fellow collaboration and poetic powerhouse “A Feather’s Not A Bird.”

The duo even dipped back to her gold-certified breakthrough, “Seven Year Ache,” for the chilling piano ballad “Blue Moon With Heartache” and the classic title track, both of which came across agelessly, despite it being half a lifetime later.

Another formative influence, Bob Dylan’s “Farewell, Angelina,” and a special request of Hedy West’s “500 Miles” closed nearly two hours with the headliner and her husband leaving the Old Town School a lasting memory of their love, not only for one another, but the heroes who rolled down the road to help pave their way.

For additional information on Rosanne Cash, visit RosanneCash.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the Old Town School Of Folk Music’s Maurer Hall include Guillermo Paolisso’s Guitar Odyssey (Jan. 24); Julián Pujols Quall and Mamey (Jan. 31); Bonnie Koloc (Feb. 3); Lunar New Year Celebration (Feb. 7); Sam Bush (Feb. 10); Peter Jericho & MGeni (Feb. 14); Parker Millsap (Feb. 17); Justin Roberts & The Not Ready For Naptime Players (Feb. 18); Beppe Gambetta (Feb. 21); BeauSoleil Avec Michael Doucet (Feb. 25); Nani (Feb. 28) and Masters Of Hawaiian Music (Feb. 29). For additional details, visit OldTownSchool.org/Concerts.

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