Corey Wilkins went to a Johnny Cash concert in 1982 at the Snohomish County Fair. He didn’t even want to go, he said, but his dad made him. Now, 31 years later, Wilkins passionately brings Cash back to life each night he performs with the Bonney Lake based cover band, Folsom Prism.

On any given day, Wilkins is an average State Farm insurance agent, but on Monday evenings, he crosses the office to his studio and awaits the arrival of his bandmates. For those few hours of band practice, the creative left side of his brain takes control and the analytical right side is smashed by the twangy, deep sounds of Cash.

Wilkins was born in Astoria, Oregon and it was there, at 5 years old, his father would drag him onstage at gigs to sing Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash. His dad was a true blue, all-American, good ol’ country boy musician from Baton Rouge, said Wilkins.

Wilkins picked up the guitar at about 9 years old. After mastering the classic country tunes of his dad’s career, Wilkins played in several heavy metal bands throughout high school. At 22, he married his high school sweetheart, with whom he now has 13-year-old twins; a boy and girl “empowered by their iPhones, posses and Instagram.”

In addition to vocals and guitar, Wilkins plays the drums and bass. In college he joined long-time friend Shane Gillispie in an alternative rock band called Two Cents Worth.

The members of Two Cents Worth eventually went their separate ways, but Gillispie and Wilkins kept in touch, as they have since grade school. Now, with Wilkins as Johnny Cash and Gillispie on lead guitar, the two have established Folsom Prism – a modern, high-energy Johnny Cash tribute band. Wilkins and Gillispie are joined onstage by Mike Sprayberry on bass, Mark Montiero on drums and Laurel Robinson as June Carter Cash.

Since its’ conception in 2011, the band has enjoyed a healthy amount of success. They play regularly at Jazz Bones in Tacoma, Hard Rock Cafe in Seattle and Emerald Queen Casino. They were also commissioned to play by the city of Folsom, California and given a private tour of Folsom prison, where Cash performed and recorded in 1968.

A copious amount of research went into the Folsom Prism project, according to Wilkins. The band uses historically accurate equipment used by Cash in his day; Gillispie plays a 1969 American Fender Telecaster. For his part, Wilkins said he enjoys adding song introductions with tidbits of history and background information.

Wilkins said the most enjoyable aspect of pretending to be Cash is the effect it has on fans. He recalled an old-timer with a tear in his eye – a man who had seen the real Johnny Cash several times – who walked up and thanked him for providing another chance to witness one of the most influential artists the world has seen.

“I do feel the pressure to emulate him as well as I can; to be what he was to everyone else,” said Wilkins. “We have our own twist. It’s modern and more energetic but we stay true to the music.”

When offered rider contracts – hospitality requests made by a musician and provided by the venue – Folsom Prism doesn’t demand water melted from the tip of an iceberg or bowls of marshmallow – only Lucky Charms. The only special accommodation Wilkins suggests is sparkling water with lime. Gillispie, however, is known for having a more random request.

“We’re just not like that,” said Wilkins. “We never demand crazy riders except Shane, our guitarist. I don’t know why but his thing is a little weird. His backstage request is always chicken fingers … with ranch.”

Wilkins proclaimed if Folsom Prism could open up for any act, it would be Willie Nelson – in Bonney Lake, of course! Though Willie Nelson won’t be there, the Man in Black will rock Bonney Lake’s Allan Yorke Park at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 31.

Tunes @ Tapps doesn’t provide rider contracts but perhaps, if they’re lucky, someone will remember to bring chicken fingers with ranch.