Johnny Cash Estate Sues Coca-Cola Over Voice Imitation

The estate of country music legend Johnny Cash filed a federal lawsuit against the Coca-Cola Company on November 25 in the Middle District of Tennessee, accusing the beverage giant of using an unauthorized imitation of Cash's distinctive voice in a national advertising campaign for the 2025 NCAA college football season.

The complaint, brought by the John R. Cash Revocable Trust, centers on a commercial titled "Go the Distance," part of Coca-Cola's "Fan Work Is Thirsty Work" initiative. The ad, which began airing in August during college football broadcasts, features a jingle performed by Shawn Barker, a professional tribute artist known for his Cash impersonations. According to the lawsuit, Barker's vocals were crafted to closely mimic Cash's signature bass-baritone, leading some viewers to mistake it for an unreleased recording by the singer. The estate alleges that Coca-Cola failed to seek permission or a license from the trust, despite the company's awareness of the need for such approvals when using artists' voices commercially.

The suit claims violations of Tennessee's Ensuring Likeness, Voice, and Image Security (ELVIS) Act, which took effect on July 1, 2024, as well as...