Cash, Johnny (1932-2003), American country music singer, known for the sincerity of his singing and for his deep bass voice. Born in Kingsland, Arkansas, Cash graduated from high school before working in an automobile factory in Detroit, Michigan. In 1950 he joined the United States Air Force, where he formed a band and published poetry in the military newspaper Stars and Stripes. After leaving the Air Force in 1954, Cash moved to Memphis, Tennessee, to work in the music business. In 1955 Cash made his recording debut with Sun Records, the small Memphis record label that a year before had produced the first release by American singer Elvis Presley. Cash's first release included the successful single “Cry, Cry, Cry.” During the next few years he recorded many of what were to become his most famous songs, including “I Walk the Line” (1956) and “Ballad of a Teenage Queen” (1958). He also appeared on popular radio shows such as Grand Ole Opry.
In 1958 Cash signed a contract with Columbia Records and moved to Los Angeles, California. During the next few years he led a chaotic life. He became addicted to drugs, but at the same time he developed what was considered one of the most polished touring shows in country music history. He also sang with American musician Bob Dylan—a fan and friend of Cash—at the Newport Folk Festival in 1964 and recorded concept albums, which used traditional folk songs to explore such subjects as the lives of working men and the plight of Native Americans.
In 1968 Cash married June Carter, a member of the Carter Family, a traditional country vocal ensemble that sang on his tours. Under Carter's influence, he gave up drugs and gained a religious focus in his life. His most famous albums, At Folsom Prison and At San Quentin, were released in 1968 and 1969, respectively. At San Quentin contained his biggest pop music hit, the novelty song “A Boy Named Sue” (1969). Cash won five Country Music Association awards in 1969. Cash also had his own television variety show in 1969 and 1970.
In 1971 Cash costarred with American actor Kirk Douglas in the motion picture A Gunfight. Cash and his wife also produced Gospel Road (1973), a documentary film about the Holy Land that Cash narrated. In 1975 his autobiography, Man in Black, was published, and in 1986 his novel Man in White, about the missionary Saint Paul, appeared; another autobiography, Cash, was published in 1997.
An important influence on early rock music, Cash was elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. Over the course of his career he won 11 Grammy Awards, the first coming in 1967 and the last in 2003, when the song “Give My Love to Rose” off the album American IV: The Man Comes Around (2002) won for best male country vocal performance. In 2001 Cash was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President George W. Bush. In addition to his musical wife, three members of Cash’s family—brother Tom Cash, daughter Roseanne Cash, and stepdaughter Carlene Carter—also became well-known musicians.
(taken from Microsoft Encarta Reference Library 2005)In 1958 Cash signed a contract with Columbia Records and moved to Los Angeles, California. During the next few years he led a chaotic life. He became addicted to drugs, but at the same time he developed what was considered one of the most polished touring shows in country music history. He also sang with American musician Bob Dylan—a fan and friend of Cash—at the Newport Folk Festival in 1964 and recorded concept albums, which used traditional folk songs to explore such subjects as the lives of working men and the plight of Native Americans.
In 1968 Cash married June Carter, a member of the Carter Family, a traditional country vocal ensemble that sang on his tours. Under Carter's influence, he gave up drugs and gained a religious focus in his life. His most famous albums, At Folsom Prison and At San Quentin, were released in 1968 and 1969, respectively. At San Quentin contained his biggest pop music hit, the novelty song “A Boy Named Sue” (1969). Cash won five Country Music Association awards in 1969. Cash also had his own television variety show in 1969 and 1970.
In 1971 Cash costarred with American actor Kirk Douglas in the motion picture A Gunfight. Cash and his wife also produced Gospel Road (1973), a documentary film about the Holy Land that Cash narrated. In 1975 his autobiography, Man in Black, was published, and in 1986 his novel Man in White, about the missionary Saint Paul, appeared; another autobiography, Cash, was published in 1997.
An important influence on early rock music, Cash was elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. Over the course of his career he won 11 Grammy Awards, the first coming in 1967 and the last in 2003, when the song “Give My Love to Rose” off the album American IV: The Man Comes Around (2002) won for best male country vocal performance. In 2001 Cash was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President George W. Bush. In addition to his musical wife, three members of Cash’s family—brother Tom Cash, daughter Roseanne Cash, and stepdaughter Carlene Carter—also became well-known musicians.
Some songs of his:
I Walk the Line
God's Gonna Cut You Down
And a wonderful cover of the song Hurt, originally sang by Nine Inch Nails. If you ask me, this cover is even better than the original song.
Hurt
1 comment:
i find the original as the best version
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