Guide Note

Johnny Cash was a multiple Grammy Award-winning country singer and songwriter known for his deep, brooding voice. His music has been hugely influential in the worlds of Country, Folk, and Rock & Roll. His career, family life, and battle with drug addiction were chronicled in the Oscar-winning film Walk the Line. Cash felt a compassion for prisoners and often played concerts at various prisons. In 1997, he was diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disease Shy-Drager syndrome and was hospitalized in 1998 with severe pneumonia. On May 15, 2003, Cash died at the age of 71.

Fast Facts

1. Birth Name: J.R. Cash
2. Born: February 26, 1932
3. Birthplace: Kingsland, Arkansas
4. Known as "the man in black"
5. His brother Jack died in 1944
6. Had 4 daughters with first wife Vivian Liberto
7. Has sold over 90 million albums in his 50 year career
8. 1972: First performance at The White House for Richard Nixon
9. 1980: Became the youngest person to be inducted to the Country Music Hall of Fame
10. Traditionally started his concerts saying "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash"
11. Was married to June Carter Cash
12. Received Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999
13. Died: September 12, 2003

1. "You build on failure. You use it as a stepping stone. Close the door on the past. You don't try to forget the mistakes, but you don't dwell on it. You don't let it have any of your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space."
2. "The Master of Life's been good to me. He has given me strength to face past illnesses, and victory in the face of defeat. He has given me life and joy where other saw oblivion. He Has given new purpose to live for, new services to render and old wounds to heal. Life and love go on, let the music play"
3. "I'd like to wear a rainbow every day, and tell the world that everything is o.k. But I'll try to carry off a little darkness on my back. Until things are brighter, I'm the Man in Black"