www.soundscountry.com

Whether you know him as the man in black, or Johnny Cash, he had a long career as an extremely influential American country artist. Starting in 1957 with “Johnny Cash with his hot and blue guitar” to the 2010 “American VI: ain’t no grave” Johnny had 96 albums and 153 singles released.

Even as an infant, Johnny was on the path to becoming interesting, his parents unable to decide on a proper name simply chose J.R. Cash. Born February 26, 1932 in southern Arkansas, it wasn’t until 1955 while signing his first recording contract, that Johnny Cash was officially chosen as a stage name.

Johnny’s gospel music roots had a large impact on his style, but it is his distinctive bass-baritone voice, and the freight train rhythm of his band The Tennessee Three, that led to his country music success. Early recordings such as the “Million dollar quartet” with Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins and his touring with the Carter family, only helped to bolster a strong foundation that would continue throughout his career.

While the outlaw image was something Cash had perfected, he never actually served any prison time. He did land in jail for a few over night misdemeanors, this only helped to reinforce the image that worked so well for Johnny. The outlaw ideal gave birth the famous Folsom prison concert in 1968, and the show at San Quentin in 1969.

Ten Country Music Association awards, and six Grammy awards are more than most people can dream of, Johnny Cash also had the honor of being inducted into three different halls of fame.

He may have been rough around the edges, but he was loved, his music endearing, and will live on for us, our children, and grandchildren to enjoy for years to come.