Born Feb. 25, 1932 in Kingsland, AR, Johnny Cash was born John R. Cash, one of six children belonging to Ray and Carrie Rivers Cash. Music was an integral part of everyday life in the Cash household ranging from his mother’s folk songs and hymns to the work songs from the fields and nearby railroad yards. He absorbed these sounds like a sponge which later led to his inspiration for such hits as “Pickin’ Time,” “Five Feet High and Rising,” “Get Rhythm” and many others.
After leaving the U.S. Air Force, Cash auditioned as a solo artist for Sam Phillips’ Sun Records in hopes of recording Gospel music. Mr. Phillips saw a different opportunity, however, and the Tennessee Three was born with Luther Perkins and Marshall Grant. This led to a life of stardom and struggles of addiction which eventually led Johnny back to where his feet were grounded as a child, the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Gospel music became a natural part of Johnny’s TV Shows, road shows and the central part of his life. He recorded many Gospel albums such as Cash: Ultimate Gospel, Man in White, My Mother’s Hymn Book, The Gospel According to Johnny Cash on DVD, a narration of the New Testament on DVD called Chapter and Verse and did a walking The Bible photo tour and a movie filmed in the Holy Land called The Gospel Road. Johnny Cash said that he considered his narration of the Bible to be among his most important works because reading or listening to the Scripture aloud is a wonderful way to receive the encouragement and hope found in the Word of God. Johnny Cash sold over 60 million records.
Johnny Cash died on September 12, 2003 at the age of 71.
