All about Country : Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash was born J.R. Cash he was born in Arkansas and relocated to Dyess with his family when he was 3. He started writing his songs at an early age (12) enthused by the country and gospel songs.

When he was in High School he got the chance to sing on radio station KLCN, he left school in 1950 and moved to Detroit where he worked in any auto factory for a short time.

Cash enlisted in the Air Force on the 7th July 1950 and after basic training he was assigned to the 12th Radio Squadron Mobile of the U.S. Air Force Security Service in Landsberg Germany his main job being as a Morse Code operator intercepting Soviet transmissions.

Cash was discharged from the Air Force as Staff Sergeant John R. Cash on July 3 1954, he then returned to Texas, whilst serving his country he gained a scar as a result of surgery to remove a scar.

Once he left the Air Force he married a Vivian Leberto then moved to Memphis, he took a broadcasting course and played Country music in a trio which also included Luther Perkins and Marshall Grant. they on occasions would play free for local radio stations in a bid to get a record contract.

Cash finally secured audition with Sun Records in 1955 and he never looked back, creating masterpieces such as "Hey Porter/Cry Cry Cry" (his debut single), hitting the charts in 1955 entering at number 14 and gaining Cash a spot on the Louisiana Hayride. Folsom Prison Blues and I Walk The Line soon followed the latter was number 1 for six weeks and also crossed over to the pop charts.

despite being addicted to amphetamines and barbituiates Cash still managed to record some of the best songs of all time including "Ring of Fire". Fortunately for both himself and us the wider public his second wife June Carter managed to reduce and finally stop his drug intake and move him toward Christianity.

Unfortunately the world lost a true Country icon on 12/09/2003 four months after his wife June Carter who died 15/05/2003, I'm sure everyone will agree we lost a true Country (if not all music in general) legend that day.