Latest News: Posthumous Johnny Cash Album “Songwriter” Set to Release in June 2024
Decades after his iconic voice first captivated audiences, 11 unreleased tracks from the legendary Johnny Cash are set to make their debut on a new posthumous album titled Songwriter. Slated for release on June 28, 2024, this album features songs recorded by Cash during a 1993 demo session in Nashville. Unlike the original recordings, these tracks have been reimagined by his son, John Carter Cash, who stripped the demos down to just vocals and acoustic guitar before collaborating with producers and musicians to add new instrumentation. Notable contributions include vocals by Vince Gill on “Poor Valley Girl” and the late Waylon Jennings on tracks like “I Love You Tonite” and “Like a Soldier.” The first single from the album, “Well Alright,” has already been released, giving fans a taste of what’s to come.
This album is not the first posthumous release from the Cash archives. In 2014, John Carter Cash uncovered another unreleased collection titled Out Among the Stars, offering a poignant reminder of his father’s enduring legacy.
Who Was Johnny Cash?
Johnny Cash, a name synonymous with American country music, is best known for his timeless hits like “Ring of Fire,” “I Walk the Line,” and “Man in Black.” His deep, resonant voice and distinctive style earned him the nickname “Man in Black,” a persona that became iconic in the world of music. Born J.R. Cash on February 26, 1932, in Kingsland, Arkansas, Cash grew up in a poor Southern Baptist farming family, the son of Ray and Carrie Rivers Cash. With six siblings, Johnny’s early life was shaped by the hardships of the Great Depression and the family’s struggles to make ends meet.
At the age of three, Johnny’s family relocated to Dyess, Arkansas, where they participated in the New Deal farming programs established by President Franklin Roosevelt. The Cash family lived in a modest five-room house and worked tirelessly on 20 acres of cotton and other crops. Despite the challenges, music provided an escape for the family, with young Johnny developing a deep love for the songs that filled their home, from his mother’s folk tunes to the hymns they sang in church.
Johnny began writing songs at the age of 12, and his mother, recognizing his talent, saved enough money for him to take singing lessons. However, after just three lessons, his instructor was so impressed by Johnny’s unique style that they advised him to abandon formal training and stay true to his natural voice. Religion also played a significant role in his upbringing, with his mother being a devout member of the Pentecostal Church of God. Johnny’s older brother, Jack, was on the path to joining the priesthood before his untimely death in a tragic sawmill accident in 1944. These early experiences of faith and loss would later influence Cash’s music and the themes he explored in his songs.
Military Service and Musical Beginnings
In 1950, after graduating from high school, Johnny Cash left his family’s farm to seek employment, landing a job at an auto body plant in Pontiac, Michigan. Later that year, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he was required to adopt the name “John R. Cash” due to military regulations. After completing his training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Cash was stationed in Landsberg, West Germany, where he served as a radio intercept officer, monitoring Soviet communications during the Cold War.
It was in Germany that Cash’s passion for music truly began to blossom. He formed a band with fellow airmen called the Landsberg Barbarians, which gave him the opportunity to perform live, refine his guitar skills, and try his hand at songwriting. Reflecting on those days, Cash later admitted, “We were terrible, but that Lowenbrau beer will make you feel like you’re great.” Despite the rough start, these early experiences laid the foundation for what would become a legendary career.
After his discharge in July 1954, Cash moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where he worked as an appliance salesman. However, his passion for music persisted. He teamed up with Marshall Grant and Luther Perkins, two mechanics who worked with his older brother Roy. The trio formed a band, initially playing gospel music at home gatherings with their wives. Cash, armed with a $5 guitar he had purchased in Germany, became the group’s frontman. Their unique blend of blues and country music quickly garnered attention, and they began performing in local venues.
In late 1954, Cash, Grant, and Perkins made an unannounced visit to Sun Records in Memphis, hoping to impress producer Sam Phillips, who had recently discovered Elvis Presley. Although Phillips was initially skeptical, he saw potential in the group and invited them back for an audition. The rest, as they say, is history.
Johnny Cash: The Man Behind the Legend
Johnny Cash’s career spanned nearly five decades, during which he became one of the most influential figures in country music. Despite battling a severe substance abuse problem in the 1960s, Cash’s marriage to June Carter and the release of his critically acclaimed album Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison in 1968 revitalized his career. Over the years, he received 13 Grammy Awards and became a member of the country supergroup The Highwaymen, alongside Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, and Waylon Jennings.
Cash’s music often reflected his personal struggles, including his battles with addiction, his deep religious faith, and his experiences growing up in poverty. His distinctive voice and storytelling ability resonated with audiences, making him a beloved figure in both country and popular music.
In his later years, Cash collaborated with producer Rick Rubin to release a series of albums that further solidified his legacy as a music icon. Despite facing numerous health challenges, Cash continued to record music until his death on September 12, 2003, at the age of 71.
Quick Facts about Johnny Cash
- Real Name: John R. Cash
- Born: February 26, 1932, in Kingsland, Arkansas
- Died: September 12, 2003
- Spouses: Vivian Liberto (1954–1966) and June Carter Cash (1968–2003)
- Children: Rosanne, Kathy, Cindy, Tara, Carlene, Rosie, and John
- Astrological Sign: Pisces
Johnny Cash’s legacy continues to live on through his music, his influence on future generations of musicians, and the posthumous releases that offer fans a glimpse into the depths of his talent and soul.