"Hello. I'm Johnny Cash."
Those words opened an amazing variety show that shined brightly for three short years, from 1969 to 1971. My parents were both fanatics of the show, even though neither particularly cared for country music. Every Saturday night, Cash would grumble his intro and launch into the opening riffs of Folsom Prison Blues.
Cash's show was appealing to all sorts of folks. The fact is that he was simply a master entertainer who could hold the attention of virtually any generation. I was a nine-year old kid who can still vividly remember his regular bits, including "Come Along and Ride This Train," his gospel sings, and his nightly duets with June. I also remember the night he proudly introduced John Carter Cash, just born.
Johnny had some familiar country/rocakabilly faces on regularly, including the Statler Brothers (who later had a pretty good song themselves called "Kids of the Baby Boom"), Kris Kristofferson, and Carl Perkins.
He also featured acts that were distinctively NOT country musicians. Gordon Lightfoot, The Guess Who, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Melanie, Mama Cass, and Linda Ronstadt were on there strutting their stuff. Dylan would record a foray into country music about this time with Johnny's help, Nashville Skyline.
Johnny could have been just another country hitmaker, and he certainly could have been great at it. But he elected to stay in touch with musical styles that would appeal to many others, including blues, gospel, rocakabilly, and even a spoken comedy hit, "A Boy Named Sue."
Cash, the man, was an amazing human. He managed to overcome addictions that could have killed him, he kept on producing cutting-edge music right up until his death, and he promoted prison reform when it was unpopular. He also masterminded a great TV show. It might have lasted many seasons, unfortunately ABC pulled the plug on it over Cash's ignoring their desires for its focus.
Oh well, as his friend Neil Young said, it's better to burn out than it is to rust.
Comments (2)
I like Johnny Cash! After all, other then Country music he was early Rock n Roll! But I also liked all his music. He certainly had a time with his addictions but seemed to overcome it all with the help of June Carter Cash! His guitar riffs are certainly a trademark. I remember the variety show and do remember watching it. Never saw him in concert and that is a shame! RIP the Man in Black! June Carter too!
Posted by Rivers End | June 2, 2009 7:51 AM
Posted on June 2, 2009 07:51
I recall Johnny most particularly in 1970, the year we moved to Portland. I remember a song, I believe was called What is Truth on the radio. Many years later I picked up that single in a used record store. How cool! Johnny took the summer off on his show and left the Everly Brothers in charge.
Now Ron, you mention a bunch that were not considered Country. Well, maybe not then but have you been watching CMT lately? Most all of those you mention now are in the country circuit and playing for a country audience. Well, after all, fold like Gordon Lightfoot is not that far from country, anyway. Same for Neil Young who was recently doing a concert broadcast on CMT.
They came over to country to escape the horrors of rap and hiphop. The new music has little room for real music now. So country has decided they would like to pick it all up and accept it as traditional American music, which it is. Just as Rock and top 40 used to exclude country, Country was very negative toward anything outside a narrow style of country, which allowed a little bit of rockabilly. My, how times have changed. Who’d have ever thought?
So the music landscape has undergone some serious seismic activity in recent times and the landscape we knew in the 60s has changed very much. But for me, and many others, too, I suspect, Johnny Cash and Glen Campbell were 2 exceptions. Glen has always been a favorite of mine and I have always liked some of Johnny’s stuff, too. John had the more interesting personality in my book.
Great topic, Ron. Lots there to reflect on.
Posted by Scott Irv | June 2, 2009 10:32 PM
Posted on June 2, 2009 22:32