Johnny Cash “The Man in Black”

1932 - 2003 Bio: https://youtu.be/Q2RJ_D4s8GE & https://youtu.be/KOZfA8zaMXk Singer, guitarist, and songwriter Country music with rock, blues, and gospel influences Grew up in a poor farming community in Arkansas His family were Southern Baptist sharecroppers (rented farm land by paying portion of their crops to landowner) Worked on the farm as a young man to help family pay off debts Mother supported his love for music - taught him guitar and got him singing lessons. His brother died in childhood in an electric-saw accident.

Early Career (1950’s) He only took a few singing lessons and the instructor told him to stop because his natural voice was so unique. Before he got into music, he was enlisted in the Air Force. After 4 years in the Air Force, married his first wife, Vivian. They lived in Tennessee, where he worked as an appliance salesman. His first record was made by Sun Records, who famously recorded Elvis Presley earlier that year (1954). Cash’s first songs recorded were “Hey, Porter” and “Cry, Cry, Cry”. His first big hit song was “I Walk the Line” in 1956. Before he wrote the song, “Man in Black” as a way to explain his wardrobe, people called him “The Undertaker” - he started wearing black clothing because it was easier to keep clean on the road.

Stardom and Struggle Johnny became a true star and moved his family to California. While on the road, he met June Carter, who co-wrote one of his most famous songs, “Ring of Fire”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRlj5vjp3Ko Johnny struggled with addictions to alcohol and drugs, which together with his grueling 300 days a year on tour, destroyed his personal life and his first marriage. He credits June Carter - and his renewed faith in God - with helping him get his addiction under control and get his life back together. Johnny married June Carter in 1968. With her support, his career made a comeback in 1969, and Johnny became a more political voice for social issues such as the Vietnam War, Native American rights, and prison reform.

Did you know? Elvis Presley was one of Cash’s fans. Here’s what happened when Cash’s fans asked him to impersonate Elvis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYctbbWWzzo Just a year before his death (2002), while in very poor health, he released American IV: The Man Comes Around, a mix of originals and covers, including songs from the Beatles to Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l95D7leeU3w Cash continued recording music until just a week before his death in 2003, four months after June Carter died. His last interview in 2003: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1zRFnw4jOU In 1980, he became the youngest living person to be elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.