Johnny Cash: An American Icon

            It has been almost 10 years since Johnny Cash died; yet his presence is still alive and strong in the music we hear today from country to rock. Inducted into the Country, Gospel and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Johnny Cash epitomizes the musical culture and diversity of America. Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and others contributed to the birth of Rock n’ Roll in the early 50’s. Still though, Cash remained unique. His deep bass-baritone voice contained elements of blues and country, mixed with a sorrow that can only be expressed by a man who has suffered in life. While Rock n’ Roll grew flashier over the years from Elvis’s sequined jumpsuits to Mick Jagger’s hair, Johnny Cash remained a constancy. Dressed in a black suit with a black shirt and black shoes, Johnny Cash would start every concert with the simple line “Hello, I’m Johnny Cash.”

Johnny Cash’s widespread appeal can be largely associated with the topics of his songs and the style he delivers them. Cash’s music has an aura of intimacy. Each song is directed to the listener in a way that seems almost like a conversation. Cash’s music is relatable; you hear the pain in his voice, creating a unique and shared experience. For Cash, music is something personal. He never pretended to be the famous rock star that one idolized from a distance. Rather he sang as a brother, a neighbor, and a friend sharing life stories. It is fitting that Johnny Cash distinguished himself for his special connection with prison inmates. In fact, Cash was famous for his live recording from prison. This is perhaps the genius of Johnny Cash. He is vocally imperfect. His songs have a rough sound to it. He talks about his alcoholism and his drug addiction. Because of all of this, Johnny Cash not only spoke to us, he related to us. And for that, “The Man in Black” holds a special place in American musical culture.

J.R. Cash grew up in Kingsland, Arkansas as the fourth of seven children during the middle of the Great Depression. He would later take on the stage name Johnny Cash when he signed up with Sun Records in 1955.  At the beginning, Cash tried to break into the music industry as a gospel musician. When that did not pan out, Cash found the power of his troubled voice with his first recordings of “Hey Porter” and “Cry! Cry! Cry!” Cash would continue on with hit singles that have resounded across the years such as “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Jackson,” “I Walk the Line,” and “Ring of Fire.”