Johnny Cash Research Paper

Johnny Cash

Quite possibly one of the most recognizable voices in music belongs to Johnny Cash. His music spanned into the genera's of country, folk, rock and even gospel music, this shows that J.R. Cash was one of the most fascinating performers in popular music. In addition to being one of the most popular artists of all time, he also gained respect as an author and actor. Born Feb. 26, 1932, in Kingsland, Arkansas. J.R. was the second oldest of six children belonging to Ray and Carrie Rivers Cash. When John was 3 years old, his father moved his young family to Dyess Colony in northeast Arkansas where the Cash family farmed over 20 acres of cotton. John spent most of his childhood working in the fields with his family where his mother
Every night John would listen to the radio until it was time for bed. His mother's songs in the fields and the songs on the radio is where John became more influenced by music. These childhood memories influenced some of his popular songs in his music career. "Pickin' Time," "Five Feet High and Rising" and "Look at Them Beans" are some songs that John later wrote to tell the world about his childhood. Cash remained in Dyess Colony until his graduation from high school in 1950. After graduation, John moved to Detroit in search of work and found a job in an automotive plant. Soon to find out that this is not what he wanted, he enlisted into the Air Force and eventually sent to Landsberg, Germany. While he was enlisted in the service, he joined up with a couple guys and formed a band that they called the Landsberg barbarians. After leaving the Air Force, John came back to America and married Vivian Liberto, who he met at basic training in Texas. Soon after the wedding, John and Vivian moved to Memphis to try and peruse a career in music. While in Memphis, John tried to earn money as a door-to-door salesman. While still in search to make it big as a music star, John and his wife started struggling with bills and were threatened by the landlords to be evicted from their new home. The two newly weds were also expecting a child on the
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame bestowed its honor on him in 1995, thus making him one of a handful of country artists in both organizations. In 1985, Cash joined friends Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson to form The Highwaymen. The supergroup released three albums between 1985 and 1995, scoring a No. 1 hit with the single "Highwayman" from their first album, The Highwaymen. Although battling serious health problems in the late 1990s, Cash entered a professional renaissance after signing with rap producer Rick Rubin's American record label. American Recordings, released in 1994, won a Grammy for best contemporary folk album. The follow-up, 1996's Unchained, earned the Grammy for best country album in 1997. His 2000 release American III: Solitary Man, included a cover of Neil Diamond's "Solitary Man," which won Cash a Grammy for best male country vocal performance in