Quite possibly, the most recognizable voice in all of country music belongs to "The Man in Black," John R. Cash. His forays into the fields of country, folk, rock and even gospel music, distinguish Cash as one of the most intriguing performers in all of 20th century popular music. In addition to one of the most impressive musical careers of all time, he enjoyed success and garnered tremendous respect as an author, actor and Biblical scholar.
In a career that spanned almost five decades, he is a figure that transcends genre. He’s recorded songs that could be considered rock and roll, blues, rockabilly and folk and gospel and has had an influence on each of those genres. He was also inducted into the Rock and Roll, Country, and Songwriters Halls of Fame. Prior to his death, Cash was the only living artist to be inducted into all three, and is only one of three to be inducted into both the Rock and Roll and Country Halls of Fame alongside Elvis Presley and Hank Williams Sr.
Born Feb. 26, 1932, in Kingsland, Ark., J.R. Cash was one of six children belonging to Ray and Carrie Rivers Cash. Eventually the family moved Dyess Colony in northeast Arkansas. There he worked alongside his parents and siblings in the fields.
Music was an integral part of everyday life in the Cash household. John picked up a variety of musical influences ranging from his mother's folk songs and hymns to the work songs from the fields and nearby railroad yards."Pickin' Time," "Five Feet High and Rising" and "Look at Them Beans" are drawn on Cash's early life experiences.
Cash enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and while in training met first wife Vivian Liberto. In 1954, Cash returned stateside and married Vivian. They took up residence in Memphis where Cash worked a variety of jobs while trying to break into the music business while having four wonderful daughters.

In 1954, Cash auditioned as solo artist for legendary Sam Phillips' of Sun Records. Cash recorded with his band The Tennessee Three which consisted of guitarist Luther Perkins, bass player Marshall Grant and Red Kernodle on pedal steel. Kernodle left the session and Cash's first release for the label, "Hey Porter" had a sparse, but highly effective instrumental accompaniment. The song failed to chart but got noticed.

The next release fared substantially better. "Cry, Cry, Cry" managed to reach Billboard's No. 14. A long succession of chart singles followed and he was on fire. . "So Doggone Lonesome" and "Folsom Prison Blues" both broke into the Top 10. His fourth chart single proved to be his first major score, "I Walk the Line" shot to the No. 1 position and remained on the record charts for an incredible 43 weeks, and sold over 2 million copies.

With all his success he was invited to perform on the Grand Ole Opry. By 1957 Cash had racked up an impressive string of hits and was performing almost continuously. IN 1958 he switched to Columbia Records in search of more artistic freedom and to gain international distribution.

Cash continued to produce remarkable records and ranked high on the charts consistently. "Don't Take Your Guns to Town," "I Got Stripes," "Ring of Fire," and "The Ballad of Ira Hayes" He appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show , The Tonight Show and every major television show of the time. 

Due to the stresses of his concert and recording schedule his marriage was collapsing and divorce was soon to follow.  By the mid-1960s, Cash was addicted to pills and it began to impact his career.

He managed to overcome his addiction with the help of his singing partner June Carter and her family. And in 1968, he and June Carter were married and his career took a turn for the better. Throughout the remainder of the decade and Cash was in top form. His recordings made at Folsom Prison and San Quentin both went gold and multiple awards followed including the Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year.

In 1969, The Johnny Cash Show aired and he became a household name. The show featured a wide mix of guests ranging from Bob Dylan to Louis Armstrong and Merle Haggard. Cash helped bridge the generation gap and break down musical barriers. He also used the show as a forum to discuss the social issues of the day such as  Native Americans issues, prison reform and the war in Vietnam . In 1970 he and June were blessed with the arrival of his son John Carter.

In 1980, Cash became the youngest living inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame bestowed its honor on him in 1995, thus making him one of a select few of country artists in both organizations.

In the mid 1980's Cash joined friends Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson to form The Highwaymen. They scored numerous hits including a No. 1 hit with the single "Highwayman" from their first album, The Highwaymen . In the late 1990s, Cash went through a professional rebirth after teaming up with producer Rick Rubin. A string of wonderful recordings were to follow American Recordings (1994), won a Grammy for best contemporary folk album. Unchained (1996) , earned the Grammy for best country album in 1997. American III: Solitary Man ,(2000) included a cover of Neil Diamond's "Solitary Man," which won Cash a Grammy for best male country vocal performance American IV: The Man Comes Around (2002) which included the Nine Inch Nails single "Hurt." Cash earned three CMA awards in 2003, and the acclaimed video for "Hurt" won an MTV award and a Grammy.

After losing his wife and soul mate  June Carter Cash unexpectedly in May 2003, Cash passed away Sept. 12, 2003 at Baptist Hospital in Nashville , Tenn. from complications from diabetes. Over the years he supported numerous causes including  mental health associations, a home for autistic children, refuges for battered women, the American Cancer Society, YWCA and the SOS Children's Village , Johnny Cash's music has touched millions of people through out the world and his heart and soul will continue to reach out to people for many years to come.

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