Here’s a performance to bridge generations. Brian Fallon from The Gaslight Anthem paid tribute to the legendary Johnny Cash with his contribution to Music America: The Songs That Shaped Us, Celebrating 250 Years of American Music. This was a once-in-a-lifetime concert at West Long Branch, NJ’s OceanFirst Bank Center on the campus of Monmouth University. As well as celebrating that landmark, the show was put together to launch the new Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music at Monmouth University. Alongside Fallon, a host of acclaimed artists joined Springsteen for the event, performing some of the most influential songs from America’s musical history.
Fallon sang an energetic medley of Ring of Fire and Folsom Prison Blues, two fine songs from Cash’s catalogue and certainly songs that have had a lasting impact on American culture and songwriters. Fallon delivers both songs, particularly Folsom Prison Blues, in his own heartfelt style, infused with a little Gaslight Anthem rock. What is most delightful to watch is the sheer joy Fallon takes in playing these songs. He smiles and laughs and watches an excellent guitar solo unfold with a look of unselfconscious and infectious pleasure; it’s hard not to smile yourself while watching his show.
Brian Fallon’s new album, Not Bad for New Jersey, will be released on 10th September 2026 via Lesser Known Records. His first new solo album in five years features a series of high-profile guests, including The Killers’ Brandon Flowers, Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen, guitarist legend Marc Ribot (Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, Marianne Faithfull), and GRAMMY Award-winning artist Lori McKenna. Watch out for it later this year. In the meantime, share in Fallon’s enthusiasm for these classic songs.
