Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash
by Grace Sydney

also see: Johnny Cash in Jamaica

Walk the Line portrayed Johnny Carter and June Carter Cash. Photos courtesy Twentieth Century Fox and PAPicSelect

Johnny Cash sold over fifty million records in a career which spanned five decades, yet his appeal reaches far beyond his musical gifts. For many, he exemplified the indomitable American spirit- an independent, self-made man who rose from humble beginnings to become a voice for those in society who often go unheard.

The performer known to the world as The Man In Black was an all too human icon, however, who for a time fell prey to the vices which so often accompany fame. It took the woman who was destined to become his wife, June Carter, to rescue him from his inner turmoil, and their love affair became an inspiration for some of Johnny's most passionate country classics, such as "Ring of Fire." Married since 1968, the couple was in perfect harmony both onstage and off.

SUN STUDIO

Growing up in Dyess, Arkansas during the Great Depression, young Johnny sang hymns as a distraction from the blistering heat and monotony as he picked cotton in the fields alongside his family. The dream of becoming a recording artist haunted him as he served his country in the Air Force, and later as he held jobs as an assembly line worker and door to door salesman.

His vision of a musical career eventually led him to Memphis, where he signed a contract with Sun Records. Sun Studio, which is open to the public for tours, is still used for recording sessions, and young hopefuls try to invoke the magic which Johnny and his rockabilly cohorts- Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and The King himself, Elvis- conjured up in the 1950's.

THE GRAND OLE OPRY

Like many in rural America during the Depression, Johnny Cash listened faithfully to The Grand Ole Opry broadcast every Saturday night. Known originally as the WSM Barn Dance, the Opry has been showcasing the best in country music since 1925.

Performing at The Grand Ole Opry is the goal of every country entertainer, and both Johnny and June Carter were regulars on the stage beginning in the 1950's. Their fondness for this venue lies beyond their performances, however- Johnny and June met for the first time backstage at The Grand Ole Opry.

A museum featuring items from stars who have graced The Grand Ole Opry stage over the years is open daily to the public.

THE CARTER FAMILY

Cash: The Autobiography from Amazon.com

Essential Johnny Cash from Amazon.com

If Johnny Cash was country music's soul, then The Carter Family represented its life blood. Composed of A.P., his wife Sara, and his sister-in-law Maybelle (June's mother), the original Carter Family were pioneers in the recording industry, as they were among the first to bring the Appalachian sound to a national audience. A.P. and Sara's daughter, Janette Carter, vowed to her father that she would keep the memory of her parents music alive, and she fulfilled that promise with The Carter Music Center.

Located in Hiltons, Virginia, visitors step back in time as they enter the Carter Family Museum, housed in the old grocery store that A.P. ran once his singing days came to an end.

On display are a myriad of items that offer insight into the lives of a musical dynasty, such as personal snapshots, A.P.'s Bible, and the wardrobe worn onstage by Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash when they performed at The White House. On Saturday evenings visitors are invited to kick up their heels at The Carter Fold Music Hall, located adjacent to the museum, where a variety of bluegrass acts as well as Janette herself performs traditional tunes in a family-friendly atmosphere.

Explore the roots of traditional country music further with a visit to The Birthplace of Country Music Alliance Museum in Bristol TN/VA. Some of the items on display which help to bring a slice of musical history to life are the autoharp strummed by Carter Family member Sara, a mandolin once played by bluegrass giant Bill Monroe, and there is an entire section paying hommage to Bristol's own Tennessee Ernie Ford.

HALLS OF FAME

At 48, Johnny Cash was the youngest performer ever inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. In the museum, which is located in the heart of Nashville, visitors can view memorabilia from the best that the musical genre has to offer. Both Johnny Cash and The Carter Family are represented, with Maybelle Carter's guitar holding a special place among the treasured artifacts.

The Man In Black's contribution to the rockabilly sound earned him a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The museum, designed by renowned architect I.M. Pei and located in Cleveland, pays tribute to those who blazed the trail during rock and roll's inception as well as contemporary performers.

Today, fans can drive down Johnny Cash Parkway in Hendersonville, Tennesse to the Hendersonville Memory Gardens, where the nomadic souls of Johnny and June Carter Cash, who spent their lives spreading the sounds of traditional country music to audiences worldwide, have come to rest side by side.