Jay Ernest / Church of Cash
Inducted 2022
Jay Ernest Kalk, a New Ulm, Minnesota native, is a Minneapolis-based singer-songwriter and leader of the Johnny Cash tribute band Church of Cash. Jay sings and plays guitar & bass. He has many years of experience playing a wide variety of styles in bands such as Three Minute Hero, Go Jimmy Go, and The Warsaw Poland Brothers, touring the United States, Europe, and Asia. In Jay’s lifetime he has performed over 4000 shows. Jay formed Church of Cash in sunny Honolulu, Hawaii in 2010. Whether you are an ‘ol timer that grew up listening to Mr. Cash in your tractor, or a young soldier driving your tank across the desert of the Middle East with “The Man in Black” in your headphones, The Church of Cash will bring his music- with style and energy- to fans everywhere. What Church of Cash has that no one else can match is their loyalty to the songs and the message that Johnny left to all of us. The band merely keeps this word alive with a youthful spirit that has entertained audiences completely. A discography– Jay’s recordings include the following: Church of Cash– three albums, Three Minute Hero– five albums, Go Jimmy Go– two albums, The Warsaw Poland Brothers– one album, and Jay Ernest solo– one album. Two of Jay’s albums were released in Japan, China, & Europe. He’s received awards: two Minnesota Music Awards, The TMH 1998 & 1999 Hoku Award- one for each year, and The Midwest CMA 2019 Best Tribute Band in the Seven State Area.
