A Country Legend

Johnny Cash is a country legend. He received the nickname The Man in Black, due to his taste in wardrobe and also because of his darker themes in music. He has been called one of the most influential musicians of the twentieth century. Cash has been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. I would know Cash's voice anywhere; he had a very deep, distinctive voice that could bring chills down my spine. Cash died on September 12, 2003 at the age of 71 from diabetes complications. He was a singer/songwriter that has gone down in history, much like Elvis Presley. Cash and Presley are the only music stars who have been inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Cash is best known for his song "Folsom Prison Blues", he wrote this song while serving in the Air Force and in 1956 the song became one of his first big hits.

I grew up listening to Johnny Cash as a child; he was and still is one of my dad's favorites. Of course back then I did not really understand the lyrics and meaning behind his songs, but I enjoyed listening and rocking to his music with my dad. Those were the good old days. I can appreciate his music more today as an adult because now I actually understand his sometimes dark views on life. Johnny Cash put his heart and soul into his song writing. My favorite songs as a child were "Ring of Fire", "Walk the Line", and "A Boy Named Sue". "A Boy Named Sue" always game me a little chuckle as a kid, because I did not understand why someone would name their baby boy Sue and then sing about it. Johnny Cash's "Get Rhythm", is one of my all time favorites and was my ring tone on my phone for a while. My favorite song by Johnny Cash is "It Ain't Me, Babe", I love the music incorporated, it's a little twangy but I love it. Thanks to my dad, I know a legend and inspirational singer/song writer that has gone down in history. Happy to say my dad made one of his concerts before Cash died, I however did not. Johnny Cash will always be remembered in my heart as a great musician and country rock legend.