Johnny Cash

Born in Kingsland, Arkansas on February 26 1932 died September 12 2003

Kingsland, Arkansas was the birthplace of John R Cash part Cherokee Indian definately dirt poor his family were moved to Dyess, Arkansas as part of a new deal project. Working long hours on the farm John turned to music as a form of escape and started writing his own songs by the age of 12.

Unlike lots of musicians he was too poor to buy a guitar until he served with the US Army in Germany, he also served in the Korean War. After the army Johnny moved to Memphis where he met guitarist Luther Perkins and Marshall Grant a Bassist, they started playing together in local gigs and auditioned for Sun Records, they were rejected for being too country.

Sun Records soon came back for the trio when Elvis Presley left them and they had their first hit with 'Hey Porter' Johnny was invited to join the Louisiana Hayride and was soon turning out hit after hit with songs like 'Folsom Prison Blues' 'I Walk the Line' and a vocal version of Orange Blossom Special. 1957 saw Johnny join the Grand Ol Opry.

johnny's website

Ring of Fire

Mother Maybelle Carter

During this period the trio gained a drummer Bill Holland and started recording for Columbia. Despite several more hits Johnny Cash struggled with the pressure and when his close friend Johnny Horton died, his marriage broke down and he became dependent on drugs and alcohol.

Despite all his problems he recorded some of his biggest hits during this period, 'Ring of Fire', 'Understand Your Man', and 'Jackson', the latter song was with June Carter who had just joined his show.

June and Johnny were married but not until he had sorted out his problems, and rediscovered Christianity, he also added Mother Maybelle Carter to his show along with the Statler Bros and Carl Perkins. It was at this time that he recorded A Boy Named Sue and Live at Folsom Prison.

johnny's website

The Man in Black

recorded protest albums for the American Indians.

He has hosted his own TV shows and starred in several Westerns. He never restricted himself to country music and recorded with such greats as Bob Dylan, he also recorded protest albums for the American Indians.

johnny cash

Johnny Cash had more hits than we have space to show them he has gone down in history as a major impact on country music and he was inducted into the country music hall of fame in 1980, John's enduring nickname was the man in black.

johnny's website