This line was how he used to start his acts whenever he was performing onstage. He was born J. R. Cash to parents Ray and Carrie in Kingsland, Arkansas. It was said that the name was formed because his parents couldn't agree what his name should be. It became a dilemma when he entered the United States Air Force because it wouldn't accept the initials J.R. as his real first name. That was when he used John R. Cash to be his legal name.
Most of his songs were inspired by the life his family led when he was growing up. He has six siblings. Tommy Cash, a younger brother, also made it as a country artist. J.R. started working in the cotton fields by the age of five. This was where he got the inspiration for the song 'Five Feet High and Rising'.
He also had dealt with depression in 1944 when his older brother Jack met a tragic accident at a whirling table on the mill where he was working. Jack suffered for a week before he finally succumbed to death. J.R. felt guilt over the incident. He cited that the family had premonitions that something bad was going to happen that fateful day. But his brother ignored it because the family needed money. J.R. said that he had always been looking forward to the day that he'd meet his brother in heaven and that he had seen him a lot of times in his dreams.
Record Deals
He adopted the name Johnny Cash when he signed a deal with Sun Records in 1955. Through time, he became known as The Man in Black as he always wore black ensemble, which was a lot different from how most country music stars dress up. Some of the songs that made him a household name include 'I Walk the Line,' 'Cocaine Blues' and humorous pieces like 'A Boy Named Sue' and Dirty Old Egg-Sucking Dog'.
Through time, he became involved with drugs that almost ruined his life. His first marriage had gone bad and his star started to lose its shine. In 1968, he married his second wife, June Carter, who influenced him to revert to Christianity and a drug-free life.
Different Career
Aside from being good in music, Johnny Cash had his hit TV show during the latter part of the 60s entitled The Johnny Cash Show. He even paved the way to the likes of Bob Dylan to penetrate the scene.
Cash also made guest appearances on Jane Seymour's TV series, 'Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman'. He dubbed a cartoon cameo for an episode of 'The Simpsons'.
The Legacy
Johnny Cash died at the age of 71 on September 12, 2003. He had almost 90 million copies of his albums sold. He had a collection of awards from the Grammys and Country Music Awards. He was even inducted in the Country Music Hall of Fame, Songwriters' Hall of Fame and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Although his music career surpassed Johnny Cash acting career, he has proven a lot and has left a legacy that industry insiders could learn a lot from even up to this day.
