Unveiling 12 Little-Known Facts About the Legendary Johnny Cash

There are some musicians that everyone knows about. Johnny Cash is one of those musicians. He was a country music icon and his songs have been covered by many different artists over the years. However, there are some things about Johnny Cash that you might not know. In this blog post, you'll learn some of the lesser-known facts about the legendary singer-songwriter.

Johnny Cash was born in 1932 in Kingsland, Arkansas and began his music career in 1954. He rose to fame with songs like "Folsom Prison Blues" and "Ring of Fire", among many other hits. He won numerous awards including eleven GRAMMYs and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1980. Cash had a long and successful career until his death in 2003 at age 71.

Cash is best known for his country songs that often have dark themes and stories. His songs are touching, honest, and sometimes heartbreaking. He was also known for his influence on other genres, such as rockabilly and blues. His distinct baritone voice helped him become a household name throughout the world.

In addition to his music career, Cash was also an actor and author. He starred in several films, including the 1963 film Five Minutes to Live, and wrote several books including his autobiographies Man in Black and Cash: The Autobiography. He also acted on Broadway in the play, The Rambler.

Another interesting fact about Johnny Cash is that he was an avid raconteur and often told stories in his live shows. He sang songs that he wrote himself, traditional folk songs, and stories about his own life. His storytelling was part of what made his live shows so special.

Johnny Cash was also a humanitarian who used his fame to help others. He was an advocate for prison reform and would often perform concerts in prisons. He also raised money for charities and was a vocal supporter of Native American rights.

So what are some of the lesser known facts about Johnny Cash?

1. Child Songwriter

Cash wrote his first song at age 12. The song was called "Hey Porter" and was later recorded by Cash himself in 1955. As a child, he was an avid reader and would often make up songs inspired by the books he read.

2. TV Star

In 1969, Cash began starring in his own television show called The Johnny Cash Show. It ran until 1971 and featured many famous guests such as Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and more. Although Johnny Cash has a lot of fans for his music, not so many are aware of this side of his work.

3. Unexpected Collaborations

Cash was known for his collaborations with unlikely musicians. One of the most unexpected was when he teamed up with rapper and producer Rick Rubin to record a series of albums in the 1990s. The albums, American Recordings, featured covers of traditional and contemporary songs that Cash had chosen.

4. Jail Time

Johnny Cash went to jail seven times during his lifetime. You may wonder why did Johnny Cash go to jail? The answer is that he was arrested for minor things like public drunkenness and trespassing. Although he went to jail seven times, he only spent one night there on each occasion.

5. Environmental Activism

Cash was a passionate environmentalist and spoke out against the destruction of natural resources. He also wrote songs about conservation, such as "The Wall" and "Give a Damn". Again, although a lot of people know his songs, they're not usually aware of some of the beliefs behind them.

6. Final Performance

Johnny Cash's final performance was at the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, Virginia on July 5th, 2003. He sang several gospel songs and was joined on stage by his wife, June Carter Cash. This touching performance would be their last together before both of their deaths soon after.

7. Legacy

Johnny Cash's legacy lives on through the Johnny Cash Museum in Nashville and the many covers of his songs that still get done today. He remains a beloved figure in both the country and music world, and his influence continues to be felt by many up-and-coming artists today. You can even see some handwritten songs by Johnny Cash in the museum.

8. Real Name

Johnny Cash's real name was J.R. Cash, but he changed it to Johnny when he started playing music professionally. He was named after his father, Ray Cash, and the "J.R." is a shortened version of "Junior."

9. Ordained Minister

In 1956, Cash was ordained as a minister in the Church of Jesus Christ which he had been involved with since his childhood. He later joined the evangelical Baptist church and was involved in various charities throughout his life.

10. Military Service

Cash served in the United States Air Force as a Morse Code operator in the 1950s. He was stationed in Germany and Japan during his time of service and wrote several songs about his experiences.

11. Music He Listened To

As a fan of music, Cash had a wide range of musical influences. He was especially fond of rockabilly, blues, gospel and folk music. He was known to listen to artists such as Hank Williams, Louis Armstrong, and Merle Haggard. He also loved classical musicians such as Beethoven.

12. His Private Ranch

In 1968, Cash bought a 500-acre ranch in Bon Aqua, Tennessee. He named it the House of Cash and it served as his private retreat. He wrote many of his songs there, including "Man in Black" and "Sunday Morning Coming Down." The ranch is now open to the public as a museum.

Johnny Cash was an iconic figure in music and his influence is still felt today. His songs resonate with audiences around the world, and his commitment to social activism is an inspiration to many. His unique style of music and unexpected collaborations made him a one-of-a-kind artist. His legacy will live on through the music he left behind, and his story is one that will always be remembered.