Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash
CBS Television · Public domain · source
Name	Johnny Cash
Birth name	J. R. Cash
Birth date	February 26, 1932
Birth place	Kingsland, Arkansas
Death date	September 12, 2003
Death place	Nashville, Tennessee
Genre	Country music, Rock and roll, Gospel music
Occupation	Singer-songwriter, Musician
Instrument	Vocals, Guitar
Years active	1954-2003
Label	Sun Records, Columbia Records, Mercury Records
Associated acts	The Tennessee Three, The Carter Family, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings

Johnny Cash was a renowned American Singer-songwriter and Musician known for his deep, baritone voice and repertoire of Country music, Rock and roll, and Gospel music. He was born in Kingsland, Arkansas, and grew up in Dyess, Arkansas, where he was exposed to Delta blues and Folk music by artists such as Robert Johnson and Woody Guthrie. Cash's music was influenced by his experiences in the United States Air Force, where he was stationed in Landsberg, Germany, and his friendships with musicians like Elvis Presley and Carl Perkins. He was also associated with the Grand Ole Opry and performed at various venues, including the Ryman Auditorium and Folsom Prison.

Early Life

Cash was born to Ray Cash and Carrie Cloveree Rivers in Kingsland, Arkansas, and was the fourth of seven children. He grew up in a poor farming family and was raised in Dyess, Arkansas, where he developed a strong interest in Music and Poetry. Cash's early life was marked by hardship and struggle, including the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl, which had a significant impact on his family and community. He was influenced by the Baptist church and the Gospel music of artists like Mahalia Jackson and The Carter Family, which included A.P. Carter, Sara Carter, and Maybelle Carter. Cash attended Batesville High School and later joined the United States Air Force, where he was stationed in Landsberg, Germany, and met his future wife, Vivian Liberto.

Music Career

Cash's music career began in the 1950s, when he recorded his first single, Hey Porter, at Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee, with Sam Phillips as his producer. He was soon signed to Columbia Records and released his debut album, With His Hot and Blue Guitar, which included the hit single I Walk the Line. Cash's music was a unique blend of Country music, Rock and roll, and Folk music, and he was often associated with the Outlaw country movement, which included artists like Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson. He performed at various venues, including the Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium, and Folsom Prison, and collaborated with musicians like Bob Dylan, The Highwaymen, and Tom Petty. Cash was also a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and won numerous awards, including Grammy Awards and Country Music Association Awards.

Personal Life

Cash was married to Vivian Liberto from 1954 to 1966, and had four daughters, Rosanne Cash, Kathy Cash, Cindy Cash, and Tara Cash. He later married June Carter in 1968, and had one son, John Carter Cash. Cash struggled with addiction and personal issues throughout his life, including a Prescription drug addiction and a Heart condition. He was also a devout Christian and was influenced by the Baptist church and the Gospel music of artists like Mahalia Jackson and The Carter Family. Cash was friends with musicians like Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis, and was associated with the Memphis music scene, which included artists like B.B. King and Isaac Hayes.

Legacy

Cash's legacy is immense, and he is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of all time. He has been named as an influence by artists like Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and Tom Petty, and has been covered by numerous musicians, including Hank Williams Jr., Emmylou Harris, and Johnny Rivers. Cash's music has also been featured in various films and television shows, including Walk the Line, The Johnny Cash Show, and Nashville. He was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush in 2003, and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Cash's life and music have also been the subject of numerous books, including Cash: The Autobiography and Composed: A Memoir by Rosanne Cash.

Discography

Cash released 96 studio albums, 11 live albums, and 5 compilation albums during his career, including With His Hot and Blue Guitar, At Folsom Prison, and At San Quentin. Some of his most famous songs include I Walk the Line, Folsom Prison Blues, Man in Black, and Ring of Fire. Cash's music was released on various labels, including Sun Records, Columbia Records, and Mercury Records, and he collaborated with numerous musicians, including The Tennessee Three, The Carter Family, and Willie Nelson. Cash's discography includes Country music, Rock and roll, and Gospel music, and he is widely regarded as one of the most prolific and influential musicians of all time. Category:American musicians