You Won't Believe How Much Johnny Cash's Grandson Sounds Like Him

The other day, I was doing my lil' Tiktok scrolling and came across a man with an epic beard singing Folsom Prison Blues. I got INSTANT goosebumps because he sounded JUST like Johnny Cash.

I mean, even the texture of his voice was spot on. The rasp, the gravel, the timing, the feeling behind the lyrics. Then I took a closer look. This guy even resembles The Man in Black.

And well, whatta ya know? His name is Thomas Gabriel, and he is Johnny Cash's grandson. I know there is actual science behind vocal similarities in family members, but I had NO idea genetics could be this strong. Here, listen:

There is a whole series of videos with Thomas, Justin Johnson, and John Carter Cash, Johnny and June's only child. Filmed in the Cash Cabin Studio about a year ago, I can't believe I'm just now learning about them or hearing these guys bring one of the most legendary artists of all time back to life in this way.

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Johnny and June definitely left a legacy of music with their kids and grandkids. In an interview with Forbes magazine, he shared, “I was the first grandchild,” Gabriel explains. “My mother (Kathy) was very young, only 16, when she had me. So the grandparents, as they often do, stepped in to help.”

Thomas grew up travelling with his grandparents from show to show and learned how to play guitar when he was eleven. A series of unfortunate choices and events landed him in prison. He got out, put in the work to get better, has released his own music, and in 2018 had a seriously surreal moment. He was asked to perform at Folsom Prison fifty years after his grandfather did.

You can read more about his story here. It's really great. You can also check out more videos of him singing Cash classics on his YouTube channel. Here are a couple more of my favorites.

And finally, I know this is an emotional one to end on, but Johnny's version is in the top five best covers of all time. Thomas doesn't just nail it. He "Nine Inch Nails" it. IYKYK.