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Jonas Shandel

For many people, when they think of a “legend”, they think of Johnny Cash. from his birth in Arkansas in 1932 through his amazing recording career and marriage to June Carter Cash, he lived life to the fullest right up to the very end. Here are a few of the milestones in his life.

1932 John R. Cash born in Kingsland, Arkansas to Ray Cash, a farmer, and Carrie Rivers Cash.
1937 Dyess flood evacuation is later memorialized in 1959 song “Five Feet High and Rising.”
1950 Signs up for the Air Force. Stationed in Germany where he learns guitar and writes to Vivian every day.
1954 Elvis Presley releases “That’s All Right” on Sam Phillip’s Sun Records.Presley and Cash become friends.

John R. Cash and Vivian Liberto marry.

Cash obtains audition for Sam Phillips. Sam advises him to drop gospel and changes his name to Johnny.

1955 Cash releases his first recordings with the Tennessee Two: “Hey Porter” and “Cry, Cry, Cry.”“Cry, Cry, Cry” reaches #14 on Billboard C&W.
1956 Cash makes debut at Grand Ole Opry and meets June Carter same night.Cash releases the hit single “I Walk the Line.” reaches #1 on Billboard C&W.
1960 San Quentin Prison concert. First of many free prison concerts. 22 year old inmate Merle Haggard sat in the front row.
1961 Carter family joins the Cash road show.
1963 Cash releases “Ring of Fire.” Tops Billboard C&W. Cash would go on to have 13 #1 singles and release 96 albums.
1965 Police arrest Cash in El Paso, Texas for possession of amphetamines in his guitar case.
1966 Vivian Liberto files for divorce.
1968 Folsom Prison concert recorded by Columbia.
Cash & Carter win Grammy for Best C&W Performance by a Duo for “Jackson.”
Johnny Cash and June Carter marry.
1969 “Folsom Prison Blues” wins Grammy for Best Country Vocal Performance
Johnny Cash Show premieres on ABC with special guest Bob Dylan.
1970 “A Boy Named Sue” wines Grammy for Best Country Vocal Performance.
Cash invited to White House to perform for President Nixon.
1971 “If I Were a Carpenter” wins Grammy for Best Country Performance by a Duo
1980 Country Music Hall of Fame inducts Cash.
2002 “Give My Love to Rose” wins Grammy for Best Country Male Vocal Performance.
2003 The music video for “Hurt” wins a Grammy for the Best Short Form Video.
June Carter Cash dies due to complications with heart surgery at age 73.
Johnny Cash dies from complications with diabetes at the age of 71.
2005 Motion picture “Walk the Line” opens nationwide.
2006 Jukebox musical “Ring of Fire” opens on Broadway.