Johnny Cash's estate has filed a lawsuit against Coca-Cola, alleging the company unlawfully imitated the late singer's voice in a recent advertisement. The complaint, lodged in Nashville on Tuesday, is the first major case brought under Tennessee's newly enacted ELVIS Act, which protects artists' voices from unauthorised commercial use.
The advertisement, a jingle aired during college football broadcasts since August, features vocals performed by tribute artist Shawn Barker that the estate claims sound 'strikingly' like Cash. While the estate has previously licensed Cash's music for advertising, including for Super Bowl telecasts, it argues Coca-Cola bypassed proper channels this time.
Attorney Tim Warnock, representing the estate, stated: 'Stealing the voice of an artist is theft. It is theft of his integrity, identity and humanity. The trust brings this lawsuit to protect the voice of Johnny Cash — and to send a message that protects the voice of all of the artists whose music enriches our lives.'
The lawsuit seeks an injunction to halt the advertisement and financial damages for alleged violations of Cash's publicity rights, federal false endorsement laws, and Tennessee's consumer protection statute. Barker is not named in the suit, but his manager, Joey Waterman, said the tribute artist was 'thrilled' to contribute, noting his two-decade career performing as Cash in the show The Man in Black: A Tribute to Johnny Cash.
