After months of waiting, Cold Hard Cash Show frontman Merle Travis Peterson described finally performing on the "Late Show with David Letterman" as "surreal."

The Great Falls-based Johnny Cash tribute band made its long-awaited appearance in front of CBS cameras — and millions of television viewers — Tuesday night.

"It was a very surreal experience," Peterson said in a telephone interview Tuesday from a bar in New York City shortly after the show's taping. "It was like a really intense dream. I'm just glad it's over now, (but) it was a thrill to do."

The trip to New York involved spending most of Tuesday at the studio on Broadway rehearsing and preparing for the gig.

"We had to be there at 9 o'clock in the morning 'cause we don't have a crew," Peterson said. "We were there all day. We had a little break in the afternoon. At about 10, 10:30, we had our first practice ... and when we came back at 12:30, we had another rehearsal. Probably from about 1 to 5:15, we just hung out in the green room."

Peterson said the green room was equipped with a monitor so the band could watch rehearsals and the show taping prior to performing.

"I saw most of the show before we walked out and played, but I don't remember much of anything right now," he said.

Other guests on Tuesday's program included animal guru Jack Hanna and French first lady Carla Bruni.

The Cold Hard Cash Show, which features Jeff Carroll on bass and drummer Felipe Torres, was featured on the "Late Show" as part of Tribute Band Week. Other acts this week will pay tribute to Prince, Guns 'N' Roses, Neil Diamond and James Brown.

As far as meeting the show's host and famous part-time Choteau resident, it was all business, Peterson said.

"(Letterman) didn't say anything about Montana or where we were from," Peterson said. "When he shook my hand, he said 'This is the second time I've gotten to enjoy your music,' and I said 'Yes, sir.' I had two seconds to talk to him.

"Letterman's in and he's out," Peterson added. "He showed up a few minutes before the show started taping, did the show — it went off without a hitch — and as soon as the lights went out, he was gone. Same with the (house) band. They really don't spend a lot of time there."

Performing in front of such a large audience never really entered Peterson's mind once he got on stage and the band began its rendition of the hit "Folsom Prison Blues."

"I haven't been nervous for a long time and I was," Peterson said. "I was just nervous and determined to play through the song and not make any mistakes. Honestly, I really didn't notice the camera so much, and I really didn't see the (studio) audience at all. I saw myself on the monitor for a second, and it was cool."

As soon as the show ended, Peterson retired to the break room to reflect on the show by himself.

"Afterwards, I went back into the green room and sat there by myself for a while," he said. "By the time I'd gone out, everybody'd left. It was just the crew cleaning up."

Peterson also recounted his day and talked about taking advantage of one last night in the Big Apple, adding he had no plans to return to his hotel to watch the broadcast.

"I would just as soon spend my time in New York and enjoy myself," said Peterson, who is scheduled to fly out of New York City at 8 this morning.

"I think we did a good job," he said. "I think nobody should be disappointed.

"Other than that, it's all just a blur."

Douglas can be reached by e-mail at patjessdouglas@netscape.net.