Remembering Johnny Cash

J.R Cash was born February 26, 1932 in Kingsland, Arkansas. Cash was the 4th of 7 children born to sharecropper parents, Ray and Hattie. No one really knows what a sharecropper is, but apparently everyone born before 1940 had sharecropper parents. The kids in order were: J.B, P.J, P.U, J.R, F.U, J.J and Thelma.

Sears Catalog

Cash’s early memories were dominated by gospel music and radio. Taught guitar by his mother and a childhood friend, Cash began playing and writing songs at the age of 5. Johnny got his first guitar when Johnny’s father traded a neighbor a chicken for it. When young, Cash had a high-tenor voice, before becoming a bass-baritone after being kicked by a mule. It was at this time that young Johnny spent a lot of time in the outhouse with the Sears catalog.

Remembering Johnny Cash — Johnny Cash Illustration By Paul King Art

Cash enlisted in the United States Air Force on July 7, 1950. Cash was assigned to the 12th Radio Squadron Mobile of the U.S. Air Force Security Service at Landsberg, Germany, as a puppeteer. Who could forget the 12th Squadron puppeteers that single handedly defeated Hitler.

While in Germany, Cash formed his first band called “The New Originals”. It was a combination German oompah band and Country Skiffle band. Cash sang and played the flugelhorn.

Man in Black

Cash had a varied 50 year career, creating some of the most amazing music ever recorded and collaborating with the best of the best. “I Walk The Line”, “Ring of Fire”, “Folsom Prison Blues”, “Boy Named Sue”, “Cocaine Blues”, “Sunday Morning Coming Down”, “Man in Black”, “Get Rhythm” and many more. His version of “Hurt” is the most haunting moving song of all time.

Johnny performed at prisons, got arrested, drank, did drugs, played with The Highwaymen, Rick Rubin, Bob Dylan, and had his own TV show.

Cash was a hard drinking, pill popping, bad ass Rock Star who influenced all that followed. Johnny died on September 12, 2003. It was a sad day for the world.

Remembering Johnny on his birthday! Thank You for the music Sir! It was an honor to share this planet with you. We Love and Miss You Dearly!