Gary West

Gary West is an American singer/songwriter who produces his own original music. He is an accomplished musician who was the drummer for such legendary country music icons such as, Del Reeves, Little Jimmy Dickens, Jett Williams and the Drifting Cowboys and performed many years on the world famous Grand Ole Opry with these artists. West also stars in his own Johnny Cash tribute show, “For the Love of Cash”  and  his new show, “Heroes, Friends and Legends Show”. This show has been described as The Highwaymen and the Million Dollar Quartet all rolled into one!  When he's not performing you will most likely find him at a Speedway as a driver in his #27 NASCAR WEEKLY SERIES stock car. 

Gary West's "For the Love of Cash" pays homage to Johnny Cash and the legends of country music with a show that is like no other. Gary West is NOT a Johnny Cash impersonator; he is an ENTERTAINER – as well as an impressionist, musician, songwriter, and a pretty funny guy!  The band is made up of some of the best in the business; legendary Nashville musicians that have played for dozens of country music legends and Grand Ole Opry stars.

“For the Love of Cash” is mesmerizing audiences across the country as one of the top billing tribute shows today and Gary West is lighting up stages with his own renditions of iconic songs plus his fresh, original music that is performed in the classic style.

On Feb 23, 2019 Gary West released a duet with country music legend Leona Williams. The release of the Cash/Carter classic "Jackson" earned them 8 months on the NDX singles chart and two months at the #1 spot! 
They also released a video for the song that has gained international attention. 

On October 23, 2020 Gary's much anticipated original, "I don't do it for the money" (I do it for the love of Cash), was released and available world-wide. This went to #1 on the Independent charts for the month of February 2021. This is the second #1 song for Gary off of his latest album. 

On April 25, 2026 Gary is excited to release his new single “Just One Time”. The song pays tribute to his late father who he shared his love of racing with. It is a song about not having regrets and has had an amzing response in his live performances. 

The new song will be available on this web site and all digital download stores. 

Heroes, Friends and Legends

This is a dynamic outlaw country music spectacular!  If you are tired of the million and one Johnny Cash Tribute shows offered then this is a fresh and exciting alternative!  The music has been described as the Highwayman and the Million Dollar Quartet all rolled up in one. Featuring music from both of these legendary groups and individuals. Cash, Waylon, Willie, Kris, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee. You will also hear amazing stories from back stage of the Grand Ole Opry and road experiences with country music legends. 

Music and stories that only Gary West can deliver! You will want to dance, laugh and cry all at once!  After all he learned his craft from the greatest entertainers of all time! 

BIO

National touring artist Gary West and his scintillating show “For the Love of Cash,” are like no other. West delivers a dynamic and tantalizing tribute to Johnny Cash and pays homage to such legends of country music as Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson. To be clear, Gary West is NOT a Johnny Cash impersonator, though he sounds hauntingly like “the man in black.” West is an ENTERTAINER whose sizzling stage presence has enraptured audiences from coast to coast as one of the top-billing tribute shows in the U.S. today. A respected Nashville recording artist, West produces his own music and has additionally produced and/or recorded other artists such as Ken Mellons, Mark Collie, Craig Campbell, and many more. The industry has taken notice of West. Besides being nominated for numerous prestigious awards, including “Tribute Artist of the Year” (2017), “Americana Artist of the Year” (2017), “Entertainer of the Year in the Traditional Category” (2018), and “Song of the Year” (2018) in the Classic Country Category, in 2017, a song he produced for Scotty Ray Morton was awarded “Song of the Year” by The Josie Awards. Gary West’s music is frequently played on top country music radio stations and he is often the subject of media outlets. In fact, in 2019, West captured the cover of the global music publication ION Indie Magazine as their July/August 2019 featured artist.

West has a unique perspective for the timeless music that he grew up around during his time playing with legendary artists at the Grand Ole Opry. He honed his craft while sitting backstage in Dressing Room #3 at The Opry; watching, learning, and waiting to play the next show. His Nashville journey began in 1988 when he and his band were asked to do a tour with Tommy Cash (brother of Johnny) and back him up for 30 dates that took them through most of Texas. Later that year, Gary played on the Opry stage for the first time with his hero, Grand Ole Opry star, Del Reeves. Gary continued to work with many great Opry legends over the years, including 12 years with the legendary Little Jimmy Dickens. He additionally toured with Jett Williams and The Drifting Cowboys (Hank Sr.’s original band with Don Helms and Jerry Rivers), The Legendary Drifters, Melba Montgomery, along with backing up many more -- like Johnny Paycheck, Charley Pride, LuLu Roman, Porter Wagoner, Hank Thompson, and many more. Gary West and his band the Nashville Players is comprised of veteran Nashville session musicians who spent their careers working with some of the greatest legends in country music. 

West brings to his growing, devoted fanbase who flock to experience West’s unique and authentic performances, his voracious vocals, and his unique reimagining of classic songs -- as well as his original songs that resound like beloved standards from the very first time you hear them. Backed by a team of “the best of the best” Nashville musicians who have played for dozens of country music legends and Grand Ole Opry stars.

But it perhaps best summed up in the words of Little Jimmy Dickens, which are inscribed onto Gary’s Gibson J-200, “This man is hard to follow, hard to follow.”

Things you can expect at a Gary West Show:

* Professional Nashville musicians dressed in black and white suits

* Stellar musicianship and showmanship 

* State-of-the-Art sound system and production 

* An amazing musical experience 

* Impromptu impersonations; fun, laughter

* Music that moves your soul

* A band comprised of professionals and long-time friends who love what they are doing -- and it shows! 

Things you should NOT expect:

* Gary in a wig and/or makeup impersonating Johnny Cash

* A band dressed like they just came from a weekend campout

* Dancers, flashing lights, strobe lights, or flash pots

* Current country music

Examples of events and venues Gary and the band have performed are listed below:

Corporate Events

PHEASANTS FOREVER NATIONAL CONVENTION

NRA WHITTINGTON CENTER, RATON, NM

SMITHFIELD FOODS

SANFORD HEALTHCARE

ABC BUS COMPANY

Fairs/Festivals

STORYTELLERS MUSEUM AND HIDEAWAY FARM (Johnny Cash’s Farm)

ROCK CRUSHER CANYON, Crystal River, FL

BEREA NATIONAL RIB FEST, Berea, OH

SINCLAIR LEWIS DAYS, Sauk Centre, MN

HOEDOWN ON THE HARPETH, Kingston Springs, TN

MAIN STREET SQUARE CONCERT SERIES, Rapid City, SD

DOWNTOWN FRIDAY NIGHTS, Spearfish, SD

WAYLON FEST (Loretta Lynn’s Dude Ranch) Hurricane Mills, TN

BLAST IN THE VALLEY, Renfro Valley, KY

LAKEFEST, Jamestown, KY

BLOCK BASH, French Lick, IN

MOONSHINE FESTIVAL, New Straitsville, OH

MINNESOTA STATE FAIR, Minneapolis, MN

Theaters/Venues

THE MEDINA ENTERTAINMENT CENTER , Medina, MN

THE CLYDE THEATER, Ft Wayne, IN  

THE GOSS OPERA HOUSE, Watertown, SD 

DREAM MAKERS THEATER, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 

THE HISTORIC PALACE THEATER, Crossville, TN

THE TASSEL PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE, Holdrege, NE 

SANDIA RESORT AND CASINO, Albuquerque, NM

THE WASHINGTON THEATER, Maysville, KY

H.J. RICKS CENTRE FOR THE ARTS, Greenfield, IN

MOUNT DORA COMMUNITY BUILDING, Mount Dora, FL

GRANADA THEATRE, Mt Vernon, IL

ROCK CRUSHER CANYON, Crystal Lake, FL

ROCHESTER CIVIC CENTER, Rochester, MN

Night Clubs

THE NASHVILLE PALACE, Nashville, TN

LEE’S LIQUOR LOUNGE, Minneapolis, MN

THE HISTORIC EXPRESS ST JAMES HOTEL, Cimarron, NM

BUNKERS, Minneapolis, MN

Special Appearances 

MIDNITE JAMBOREE -- Ernest Tubb/Nashville, TN 

WHEELS ON THE BUS TOUR -- with host Justin Reed/Amazon Show

NASHVILLE ACCESS -- with host Camo

ALL NIGHTER -- with host Marcia Campbell/WSM 650 AM

MY KIND OF COUNTRY – with host Scott Wikle

OPRY JAMBOREE - Mankato, MN