Johnny Cash
“Folsom Prison Blues”
The man in black, the philosopher-prince of country music. Johnny Cash. How can someone start to explain the life, career, and impact of Johnny Cash? Cash, much like Merle Haggard, is often regarded as a pioneer of “outlaw country” given his history with barbiturates and crimes. In fact, he was the only person ever to be sued by the Federal government for starting a forest fire.
His entire career was a success, despite his trouble with the law, and pretty much everything he released was pure gold. The majority of his songs were his and his alone, but he was also a part of the country super-band “The Highwaymen,” which comprised of Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, and Cash.
One of the most amazing works he ever did, in my opinion, was his last. Cash’s cover of “Hurt” by Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails was a surprisingly powerful work, and it even brought Reznor to tears the first time he saw it. Reznor even said that “Cash did it better” than he could ever have.
Cash’s muse and rock was his wife June. He always needed her around throughout his entire career, and they often sang duets together. Four months after she died, Cash followed his muse, leaving behind a legacy that spans to all corners of modern music and songwriting. Johnny Cash was one of the greatest songwriters of all time, and it’s a pleasure to share this Tuesday Tunesday footage of him playing in San Quentin prison at his finest.
