Presentation by: Pete Flanders

He was one of seven children born to Ray and Carrie Rivers Cash Johnny Cash was born on February 26, 1932 In Kingsland, Arkansas He was one of seven children born to Ray and Carrie Rivers Cash He grew up in Dyess, Arkansas where his family farmed cotton and other crops on 20 acres of land. Johnny Cash was born on February 26, 1932 in Kingsland, Arkansas. He was one of seven children born to Ray and Carrie Rivers Cash. His father was a sharecropper and moved his family to Dyess, Arkansas when Johnny was 3 because of the New Deal farming programs that provided small plots of lands to the poorest of families. They lived in a five-bedroom house and farmed cotton and other crops on 20 acres.

The next 15 years of his life was spent working out in the fields with his family They sang as they worked picking cotton Music was one of the ways the Cash family found escape from some of their hardships The next 15 years of his life was spent working out in the fields with his parents and siblings. They would sing as they worked picking cotton. Music was one of the ways the Cash family found escape from some of the hardship.

Johnny first picked up a guitar at age 12 He took just 3 singing lessons before his teacher told him to stop taking lessons and never deviate from his natural voice Johnny first picked up a guitar at the age of 12. It took only 3 singing lessons before his teacher told him to stop taking lessons and never deviate from his natural voice.

Religion was the second thing that strongly impacted Johnny’s life His mother was a strong member of The Pentacostal Church of God Johnny’s faith in God seemed to be solidified with the death of his brother Jack The other thing that had a strong impact on his life was religion. His mother was a member of the Pentacostal Church of God. Johnny’s brother Jack died in a farming accident in 1944 and that seemed to solidify Johnny’s faith in God.

Johnny graduated from high school in 1950 and moved to Michigan He work a short time sweeping floors at a auto plant before joining the Air Force Johnny graduated from high school in 1950 and left Arkansas for Pontiac, Michigan. He worked for a very short time sweeping floors in an auto plant before joining the Air Force. Johnny met his first wife Vivian Liberto in Texas while doing his basic training.

During his 4 years in the Air Force Johnny was able to turn to music once again He started writing songs while stationed in Germany, and it was there that he wrote “Folsom Prison Blues’’ During his four years in the Air Force Johnny was able to turn to music once again. He got together with some of his Air Force friends and he taught himself more of the guitar and starting writing songs. It was there that he wrote “Folsom Prison Blues”.

In 1954 he was discharged from the Air Force On August 7, 1954 Johnny married his first wife Vivian Liberto He then worked as a appliance salesman In 1954 he was discharged and married Vivian on August 7, 1954. He then worked as an appliance salesman

“Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two” Formed a tight bound with Marshall Grant and Luther Perkins As they joined together in music and called themselves, “Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two” On the side he formed a tight bond with Marshall Grant and Luther Perkins, two mechanics that worked with his brother Roy. They joined together in music and called themselves, Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two. Marshall later wrote, “He was a decent singer, not a great one, but there was power and presence in his voice.” (Marshall Grant) “He was a decent singer, not a great one, but there was power and presence in his voice.” -Marshall Grant

1954 -“Johnny and the Tennessee Two” was turned down by Sun Records because their music was too gospel driven 1955- “Cry, Cry, Cry”- Hit No. 14 on the Billboard charts Followed by top ten singles “So Doggone Lonesome” and “Folsom Prison Blues” “I Walk the Line” came soon after and hit No. 1 on the charts and sold over 2 million copies After being turned down by Sun Records in 1954 because their music was more gospel driven they returned in 1955 with the songs, “Hey Porter”. The song had ok reviews but their second release “Cry, Cry, Cry” hit No. 14 on the Billboard charts followed by “So Doggone Lonesome”, and “Folsom Prison Blues” that were top ten singles. “I Walk the Line” came soon after and hit No.1 on the charts and sold over 2 million copies.

“Ring of Fire” and “Understand Your Man” With fame came great pressure and pressure led to struggles with drugs and alcohol. His family life began to struggled while his career continued to succeed with Popular hits- “Ring of Fire” and “Understand Your Man” With the fame came great pressure and pressure led to his struggle with drugs and alcohol. His marriage and family life struggled while his music career continued to succeed with popular hits “Ring of Fire”, and “Understand Your Man”.

His wife Vivian stay home with their 4 children while he toured and was on the road 300 nights of the year

In 1966 Vivian filed for divorce and Johnny fell deeper into drugs and alcohol He was arrested in El Paso, Texas and found hiding prescription drugs in his guitar case. “I was taking pills for awhile, and then pills started taking me.” -Johnny Cash In 1966 Vivian filed for divorce and Johnny fell deeper into drugs and drinking. It was then that his career started to struggle also. He was arrested in 1965 in El Paso, Texas for hiding prescription drugs in his guitar case.

Their duet “Jackson” won a Grammy Award in 1967 1967 Johnny met June Carter. Their duet “Jackson” won a Grammy Award in 1967 They married in 1968 In 1967 Johnny met June Carter. They became friends and she helped him clean up his life. Their duet “Jackson” won a Grammy Award that year. They married in 1968

1969 1970 The Johnny Cash Show Two Grammy Awards for “Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison” 1970 John Carter Cash was born Hits “A Thing Called Love” and “One Piece at a Time” In 1969 he turned his career around again and had his own show, “The Johnny Cash Show”. His show featured musicians and social issues. That same year he received two Grammy Awards for his hit album, “Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison”. March 1970 June gave birth to their one and only child together, John Carter Cash. His music career continued to succeed with the hits, “A Thing called Love” and “One Piece at a Time”.

In 1977 his problems with drugs return and he entered The Betty Ford Clinic Able to clean up for a few years until again dependent on drugs and entered drug rehab in 1989 Johnny managed to stay off drugs for a few years but later in 1977 his drug problems started up again and he entered into the Betty Ford Clinic. He again was able to clean up for a few years but was again dependent on drugs and entered into drug rehab in 1989. In 1997 Johnny stated, “ I was taking the pills for awhile, and then the pills started taking me”. (Terry Gross)

Accepted as the youngest member of Country Music Association Hall of Fame The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame The Songwriters Hall of Fame In 1980 Johnny was accepted as the youngest member of the Country Music Association Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and The Songwriters Hall of Fame. (Johnny Cash)

Johnny Cash died on September 12, 2003 Shy-Drager Syndrome and hospitalized several times May 2003 June Carter died Johnny Cash died on September 12, 2003 due to complications from diabetes Throughout the 80’s and 90’s he continued to try to stay busy with music although his health was declining. He suffered from Shy-Drager Syndrome, a progressive nervous disorder. He was hospitalized several times with pneumonia and other illnesses due to this disorder. In May 2003 June Carter died. Johnny tried to keep himself going by staying busy and weeks before he passed away he finish his finale track to “American V: A Hundred Highways”. He died on September 12, 2003 due to complications with diabetes. His music still lives on to this day.

Biggest hit of Johnny’s career Written by June Carter and Merle Kilgore Recorded on March 25, 1963 Biggest hit of Johnny’s career Major mode High pitch and cheerful Spanish tune Johnny’s slow paced bass-baritone singing Fast paced melody Desire and fire “Ring of Fire” was written by June Carter and Merle Kilgore. June wrote the lyrics about her relationship with Johnny Cash and how she felt being around him was like being in a “ring of fire”. The song was recorded on March 25, 1963. It became the biggest hit of Johnny’s career. It stayed number one on the charts for seven weeks and has sold over 1.2 million digital downloads “Ring of Fire” (2:38) 0:00 Introduction: This song tells a story about love and how it grows. It starts with a trumpet melody. The trumpet plays a “pick up” that is followed by a two-measure introduction. It is in the major mode. It is high pitch and cheerful Spanish tune. 0:11 Verse 1: In this verse Johnny Cash’s slow paced deep bass-baritone singing starts. The rhythm of this song is fast paced and higher pitched but he sings slow and with a more deep lower pitch. The poetry in this verse we can notice line 1 and 2 end with the rhyming words, thing and ring. Also in line 3 and 4 are the riming words desire and fire. Each line in the verse is broken up with one measure of the trumpet rhythm. 0:34 Chorus: In the chorus he is describing how deep his love is. In the 2 and 3 line the “down, down, down”, and the “burns burns, burns” slowly crescendo’s. There is “Ooo’s” and “burns, burns burns” sung by the background singers. 0:52: Trumpet solo that breaks up the chorus. It is four measures long and has the same repetitive rhythm. 1:08 Chorus: Repeating the same 4 lines as before. 1:25 Verse 2: This verse describes the burning, or emotion of love, and how we can become as a child in our love. The poetry in this verse we notice the rhyming words in line 1 and 2, sweet and meet. Also in line 3 and 4 the rhyming words are child and wild. 1:50 Chorus: Repeating the same chorus as sung before this time with no trumpet interruption between. 2:25 Chorus add-on: This part of the song is the end half of the chorus repeated again. The song ends with him repeating the words “Ring of Fire” as it slowly decrescendos.  

When you're in love you'll do anything Humming to get the pitch Song about love When you're in love you'll do anything Humming to get the pitch “Because your mine, I walk the line” 2-note strum in-between 3 chord rhythm Written by Johnny Cash “Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two” First No. 1 on the Billboards Sold over 2 million copies “I Walk the Line” was written by Johnny Cash. He performed it with Marshall Grant and Luther Perkins when they were known as “Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two”. It was recorded in 1956 and became Johnny’s first number one Billboard hit. It remained on the charts for 43 weeks and sold over 2 million copies “I Walk the Line” (2:47) 0:00 Introduction: This song starts off with the rhythm of the electric guitar, a steady 2-note strum in-between a 3 chord rhythm. You can also hear the drum rhythm. There are 6 measures of this rhythm followed by the same steady 2-note strum for 3 measures slowly fading before the melody starts. 0:19: Humming to get the right pitch. This song is sung in different pitches and Johnny Cash had to hum in the song to help him get the next right pitch. You can hear that humming and different pitches throughout the song. 0:22 Verse 1: This song is about love and how when you’re in love you’ll do anything. The poetry in this song is noticed at the end of each line with the rhyming words mine, time, and bind. There is no chorus in this song but the last line of each verse is the same “Because you’re mine, I walk the line.” After each verse the 2-note strum turns into a quick 3-chord rhythm like the introduction before returning back to the 2-note strum. 0:44: Humming to get the pitch. The pitch goes down from verse 1. 0:49 Verse 2: The poetry in this verse is again at the end of each line is true, through, you. 1:10: Humming again. The pitch goes up from verse 2. 1:17 Verse 3: Poetry of this verse with the rhyming words light, night, and right. 1:38: Humming. The pitch goes down from verse 3. 1:44 Verse 4: Poetry of this verse in the last of each line is side, hide, and tide. 2:06: Humming. The pitch goes down from verse 4. 2:13 Verse 5: This verse is repeating verse 1. The song ends with the 2-note strum of the guitar as it slowly decrescendos.

Wrote while serving in the Air Force One of his signature songs Written by Johnny Cash Wrote while serving in the Air Force One of his signature songs First Grammy Award in 1969 Prisoner inside the Folsom Prison and how life goes on outside the prison walls Fast “pick up” from the guitar 2 measures of guitar melody Guitar solo melody upbeat and fast rhythm Bass guitar background 2-note strum Higher pitch 2 measure upbeat melody “Folsom Prison Blues” was also written by Johnny Cash. He wrote this song while in Germany serving in the Air Force. This song was considered one of his signature songs. He even once performed the song at the Folsom Prison in 1968. He received his first Grammy Award for this song in 1969 “Folsom Prison Blues” (2:48) 0:00 Introduction: This introduction starts with a fast “pick up” from the guitar followed by 2 measures (8 beats) before the melody starts. 0:06 Verse 1: This song is about a prisoner in the Folsom Prison and how life goes on outside the prison walls. There is a steady 2-note strum from bass guitar in the background. With a quick “pick up” from the guitar on the 3 line. 0:32 Verse 2: Same guitar rhythm as verse 1 and again the “pick up” in line 3. 0:58 : Guitar melody for 11 measures with an upbeat and fast rhythm. Bass guitars rhythm still plays softly in the background. Ends with the bass guitars falling contour before the next verse. 1:24 Verse 3: Back to the same steady 2-note strum of the guitar with a “pick up” on line 3. 1:50: Same guitar solo piece as before. 2:14 Verse 4: Pitch goes up a little as he sings about if he were free from the prison and what he would do. The song ends with a short 2 measures with the upbeat melody from the guitar.

Written by Billey Edd Wheeler and Jerry Leiber in 1963 “Jackson” Written by Billey Edd Wheeler and Jerry Leiber in 1963 Johnny and June released their version in 1967 Reached No. 2 Grammy Award in 1968 Johnny proposed to June while preforming this song onstage Major mode Quick upbeat fast paced rhythm Slower 2-note rhythm bass guitar Sung in duet “fire went out” Humming, singing slowly decrescendos “Jackson” was written by Billy Edd Wheeler and Jerry Leiber in 1963. This song was first recorded by Billy Edd Wheeler. Johnny Cash and June Carter released their version in 1967. It reached No. 2 on the charts and they won a Grammy Award in 1968 for Best Country & Western Performance Duet. This song was the song Johnny and June were singing when Johnny stopped singing and proposed to June. “Jackson” (2:45) 0:00 Introduction: Played in major mode. Right from the start there is 4 measures of a quick upbeat fast paced tempo. The fast pace rhythm is played by the guitar while the bass guitar strums a slower 2-note rhythm. This song is sung in a duet. 0:07 Verse 1: This song is about a couple who has fallen out of love and “the fire went out”. They think there is something better for them in “Jackson”. They start by singing in harmony and then take turns singing different parts in the verse with different pitches. 0:35 Verse 2: In this verse the pitch goes up. In the second line they hold each note longer in the last 4 words of the line. 1:02 Verse3: Same rhythm continues. 1:30 Verse 4: Pitch goes up again and continues throughout the whole verse. 1:59 Verse 5: This verse starts with “Well now,” then repeating the same lines as verse 1. 2:30: The song ends with higher pitched humming and softer lower singing as it slowly decrescendos.

Johnny’s first successful song that kicked off his music career Written by Johnny Cash Released in 1955 No. 14 on the charts Johnny’s first successful song that kicked off his music career “Pick up” from guitar Rising contour melody Love is not returned Background 2-note strum of bass guitar Cry, Try, Bye, Lie, Why Crescendos “cry, cry, cry” Repeating melody “Cry, Cry, Cry” was written by Johnny Cash. It was released in 1955 and entered No. 14 on the charts. He wrote the song in just one night trying to impress Sun Records owner, Sam Phillips into signing “Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two”. This song was Johnny’s first successful song and kicked off his music career. “Cry, Cry Cry” (2:27) 0:00 Introduction: Starts with a “pick up” from the guitar followed by 4 measures (16 beats) and then a rising contour melody begins right before verse 1. 0:10 Verse 1: This song is about someone they love but that love is not returned, and they think that person will regret it one day. The 2-note pluck of the bass guitar is the rhythm in the background. The poetry in this song is at the end of line 3 and 4 with try, try, try, and cry, cry, cry and crescendos as it is sung. 0:30 Verse 2: Poetry on line 3 and 4 with bye, bye, bye, and cry, cry, cry. This verse has the same rhythm in the background as verse 1. 0:49 Chorus: As he sings cry, cry, cry he crescendos on line 1 and decrescendos on line 3 as he sings the same words, cry, cry, cry. 1:04: The strum of the bass guitar ending with a rising contour before beginning verse 3. 1:22 Verse 3: Poetry again on line 3 and 4 with lie, lie, lie, and cry, cry, cry. 1:42 Verse 4: Poetry on line 3 and 4 at the end with the rhyming words why, why, why, and cry, cry, cry. 2:01 Chorus: Same chorus as before in line 1 and 3 but changes in line 2 with, “It’ll hurt when you think of the fool you’ve been”. He again crescendos as he sings, cry, cry, cry, but this time holds the second “cry” longer. The song ends with 3 measures of the same repeating rhythm.

References and Bibliography Gross, Terry, All I did was ask: Conversations with writers, actors, musicians, and artist pg.34 2006 Autobiography of Marshall Grant, I Was There When it Happened: My Life with Johnny Cash http://www.biography.com/people/johnny-cash-9240610 Cash: The Autobiography by Johnny Cash pg. 7  www.johnnycashonline.com/.../johnny-cash-and-june-carter-cash-photo-...‎