Johnny Cash's Estate Sues Coca-Cola Over Soundalike Ad

Loeb & Loeb Litigation partner Tim Warnock is featured in numerous media outlets—including Billboard, The Daily Beast, The Guardian, Law360, Law.com, Newsweek, NJ.com, Reuters and Rolling Stone—for representing the estate of Johnny Cash in a lawsuit against Coca-Cola. The suit claims Coca-Cola used a Johnny Cash sound-alike in its nationwide “Fan Work is Thirsty Work” advertising campaign, which began airing in August 2025, without securing authorization from the estate and in a way that misleads consumers into believing Cash’s legendary voice endorses the brand. Loeb Litigation associate Keane Barger is also noted in several articles as part of the legal team.

Several articles highlight statements from the complaint filed by Tim and Keane, emphasizing the importance of protecting Cash’s voice and legacy: “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 commercial features singer Shawn Barker, a professional Johnny Cash impersonator. The estate is seeking an injunction to halt distribution of the advertisement, along with damages under Tennessee’s ELVIS Act and claims under state consumer protection laws for the alleged unauthorized commercial exploitation of Cash’s identity.