By:Jaimie Anderson

 born February 26,1932 in Kingsland, Arkansas.  one of seven children born to Ray and Carrie Cash.  May 12, 1944 Johnny’s older brother Jack was killed in a table saw accident.

Childhood continued  exposed to music on a regular basis by his mother  His favorites were Grand Ole Opry regulars: Hank Snow, Ernest Tubb, Cowboy Copas, and the Carter Family.

 graduated from Dyess Colony High School In  moved to Pontiac, Michigan  enlisted in U.S. Air Force  met Vivian Liberto  shipped to Landsberg, Germany  started first band, “The Landsberg Barbarians”

Adulthood  returned from serving  married Vivian Liberto, August 7,  moved to Memphis, Tennessee  door-to-door salesman  Took a radio announcers’ course.

 Johnny took notice of Sun records Recording studio and tried to get a recording with owner, Sam Phillips.

Johnny and the Tennessee three  formed the “Tennessee Three”  played gospel music for local events, churches, and concerts  Wore signature black look at each concert

 In 1955, returned to Sun Records in hopes of recording gospel music.  recorded “Hey Porter” and “Cry, Cry, Cry ”

The rise of the Man in Black rreleased, “So Doggone Lonesome” and “Folsom Prison Blues” IIn 1956, released “I Walk the Line” which really started his career. JJohnny also began performing at the Grand Ole Opry.

 began taking “bennies”(1950)  1958 signed with Columbia records  Took more than 50 pills everyday(1960s)  Pranks and practical jokes

June Carter  1966 met June Carter.  June joined Johnny’s band  June helped with drug problem.

 released “Ring of Fire”, “Understand Your Man” mid 1960’s  Divorced Vivian  Quit performing

The Prison Blues  married June on March 1,  John Carter Cash born March 3,1970.  started playing at prisons  In 1980, inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

 Health issues (1990’s)  June died in May of  After June died Johnny would sit with his phone to his ear, talking as if June were on the other line.  The Man in Black died on September 12, 2003.

Composition HIstory  Johnny wrote “Cry, Cry, Cry” for his first record in  The song is about “a woman whose wicked ways would lead to her heartbreak” said by Anne E. Neimark, author of a Johnny Cash Biography.

oone of Cash’s earlier songs. TThe most famous line in this song is, “but I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die.” ffirst recorded in 1956 rrecorded live at Folsom prison on January 13, 1968,

I Walk the LIne ““I Walk the Line” released in 1956  Johnny’s all-time best seller. ““I Walk the Line” has a lot of meaning behind it bbecame a country to pop crossover,

 “San Quentin” was recorded live February 26,  The lyrics riled up the inmates  won five Country Music Association awards

Man in Black  fans questioned why he was always wearing black  became known as the “Man in Black” and his sultry and somber appearance  in 1971, released “Man in Black”

 “Cry, Cry, Cry”  conjunct and narrow ranged  verse chorus form  guitar plucks individual notes  bass is playing the beat.  Johnny repeats the refrain” Cry, cry, cry” at the end of each verse

“Folsom Prison Blues”  recorded live, at Folsom Prison.  conjunct and narrow ranged.  The bass alternates between two sets of two different notes  The guitar alternates between playing individual notes, and a palm muted strum.

 AAA form  refrain, “because you’re mine, I walk the line.”  intriguing rhythm  slow tempo

“San Quentin”  Unique melody  Bass: switching between a few notes  Guitar: strumming chords and muting  cohesive and smooth.

 AAA format  bass: alternate between two notes  major, higher, and happy sound  harmonica is also  Builds in intensity

Wrap UP

CCambell, Garth. Johnny Cash: He Walked the Line, London:John Blake Publishing Ltd., NNeimark, Anne E.. Up Close: Johnny Cash. London:Penguin Books Ltd., SSony Music Entertainment. Johnny Cash Biography. URL: /biography SStreissguth, Michael. Johnny Cash: The Biography. De Capo Press