Oh my goodness... where do i begin? and how do i show this man the justice he deserves? When i analize and think too much, i make it harder to just let the words flow, so here I go....
One of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. He was mostly known as a country music icon, his songs and sound spanned from rockabilly, rock-n-roll, blues, folk and gospel. He was known for his deep distinctive bass-barriton voice, for his rebelliousness, his somber and humble demeanor, for providing free concerts inside prison walls, his dark performing clothing, and his name The Man in Black.
He was born in 1932 and died in 2003, only four short months after his wife June Carter Cash died. When he was born, his folks couldnt agree on a name, so they agreed on the intials J.R. Later in life when he joined the service, he took on the name John.
This country music legend spent his early years on an Arkansas farm. It was during the Great Depression era, and as time went by he takes an interest in music and eventually moves out of his Arkansas town to join the Air Force in Germany. While there, he buys his first guitar and writes his own music and also proposes to his first wife Vivan. Once home from Germany he gets married and he supports his family by being a salesman. He discovers a man who can pursue his dreams and ends up getting a record with the boys. He started touring, promoting his songs and meets the already famous and beatuiful June Carter. Touring long term with Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and June Carter. During much of this time frame Johnny Cash is a drug addict. During his life he had been in many drug Rehab's, stay clean for a while and then right back at it. During this time, his marriage fell apart. He went to jail 7 times just for misdemeanors, a single night only in jail each time. As many people think he has been in prison, he hasnt, except to sing and record several albums. He wrote well over 1,000 songs and released dozens of albums.
some of his signature songs were "I walk the line", "folsom prison blues", "Ring of Fire", "Get Rhythm", "Don't take your guns to town", "One piece at a time", " Boy named Sue" , "How highs the water mama? 5 feet high and rising".
Johnny Cash had a certain reputation, many never knowing many personal things about him. He had a fear of flying and snakes, he made friends with everry US presidents from Nixon to Bill Clinton. He was clostest to President Jimmy Carter, who was a very close friend and a distant relative to his wife. During an interview with Larry King, he stated that his favorite country singer was Dwight Yoakam. It's been said that he proposed to June Carter over 30 times before she finally said yes!
If you're a Johnny Cash fan like I am, you will surely know these famous bits and pieces of some of his lyrics...."But I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die"
"When I was just a baby, my momma told me: son, always be a good boy, don't ever play with guns"
"I'm stuck in Folsom Prison and time keeps draggin on, but that trains keeps a rollin' on down to San Antone."
"And I ain't seen the sunshine since I don't know when."
"Daddy sang bass, momma sang tenor, me and little brother join right in there, the circle won't be broken, by and by Lord, by and by."
I enjoy all his songs, yet his gospel songs hold a really special place in my heart. i love when he sang "Why Me Lord?" it goes like this.." Why me Lord? what have I ever done? to deserve even one of the blessings I've known. Why me Lord? what did I ever do that was worth love from you and the kindness you've shown. Lord, help me Jesus, I've wasted it, so help me Jesus, my souls in your hand. Maybe Lord, I could show someone eles what I've been through myself, on my way back to you."
He sings another gospel song called "Were you there?' "were you there when they crucified my Lord? Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree? Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb? Were you there when they raised Him from the tomb? Oh, sometimes, it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble."
One of my all-time-favoirte songs is "Amazing Grace"..The most powerful performances I've seen is by Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill, but Johnny Cash is right behind them with his rendition of Amazing Grace... how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see....."
One reason that inspired me to sit down and blog about Johnny Cash is I feel he was an amazing artist. His talent was endless. Also, during a shopping trip for Christmas gifts, I purchased one for me, and that was a puzzel, a double sided puzzel. For some of us from the generation of albums, the cover's of the albums were more than just cardboard that protected the vinyl record inside- they were part of the whole experience.The 12x12 canvasas brought fans closer to the musicians and their sensibilities. The cover protrait gave the listeners an idea what they were about to hear.Pouring over the fronts and backs of the covers reading everry last credit and lyric, it became as important as absorbing the music itself. Some even bought the record solely for their cover art. Back to the puzzel.... a close-up of Johnny Cash during his live concert at Folsom Prison. He had a lot of sympathy for prisoners. In fact one of the songs on the album "Greystone Chapel" was written by a prisoner.
Johnny Cash's last song was titled "Hurt". It started like this:
" I hurt myself today,
to see if i still feel
i focus on the pain
the only thing thats real
The needle tears a holoe
the old familar sting
try to kill it all away.
but i remember everything."
There are those who try to figure out the lyrics...some say it was Johnny at his lowest, he has had a rollar coaster life, drugs, break-ups, getting dumped by his record company. Some say its about his last months looking back soon after the death of his wife, dwindling of his friends, he just doesnt want to go on anymore. Some believe simply this is his way of saying goodbye to his painful life, as it was not easy. The point of it all is the tone... it hurts, its sad and he's coming to an end, but he would go back and do it all over simply to live his life and to perhaps have the chance to correct wrongs done in the past..but he can't!
He is truly a legend in his time....
I hope you got to see the reason i have always liked the Man in Black....the admiration he deserves, and the lives he has touched.
Because of His AMAZING GRACE....
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