Shelby Lynne’s Version of ‘Why Me Lord’ is a Johnny Cash Tribute Show Highlight

Shelby Lynne was a member of a star-studded tribute to the legendary Johnny Cash earlier this year at the set of ‘Austin City Limits’. The full night of performances from the likes of Willie Nelson, Jamey Johnson, Ronnie Dunn, Kris Kristofferson and Lynne was loaded with highlights, including Lynne’s excellent rendition of “Why Me Lord”.

We’ve always known the Grammy Award winning Lynne has a great voice, but to pull off a song like “Why Me Lord” in such convincing fashion requires something more than solid vocals. Made famous previously by outlaw artists like Cash and Kristofferson (who wrote the song), “Why Me Lord” is an emotional plea from someone who had worn out from a life of hard living, and is now humbled before God. Hardly the life Lynne has lived, but the emotion she exhibits in this performance is very believable.

At first, I wondered if the only reason Shelby Lynne was added to the list of performers was because she played Johnny Cash’s mother in the movie “Walk The Line”. Forget that. She belonged on the ‘Austin City Limits’ stage every bit as much as the other performers.

The full CD and DVD, ‘We Walk the Line: A Celebration of the Music of Johnny Cash’ will be out August 7^th. Until then, enjoy one of the major highlights of the evening here.

What do you think of Shelby Lynne’s version of “Why Me Lord”?