Happy Birthday to the Man in Black

In the midst of all the shampoo hoopla, I neglected the most important thing about today! Shame on me. Today would have been Johnny Cash's 78th birthday. Okay, I didn't technically know this until I got in the car and turned on the radio, but still. I bet you would be hard pressed to find a country/Americana artist who doesn't claim Johnny Cash as a major influence. I grew up singing so many of his songs, from "Boy Named Sue" to "Fulsome Prison" to "Sunday Morning Coming Down." Although Willie Nelson was the unchallenged favorite in my house growing up (we've often referred to Willie as the patron saint of our family, which probably doesn't do much for the concept of sainthood....), Cash held a prominent role as well, and his deep melancholy growl is etched into the furthest reaches of my memory.

As much as I love Johnny, what I really mean is that I love Johnny and June. It's hard for me to think of them separately. Two such polar opposites: dark, somber Johnny and bubbly, effervescent June. I suppose Walk the Line was a tolerable movie (I didn't hate it, although some parts were cringe worthy for true fans), but all in all I don't think any biopic could accurately reflect the magnetism and charisma those two had, both individually, but especially together. I think these two pictures of the real deal capture that much better than any star-studded film ever could. Especially the bottom one, when they are older. It gives me chills.

This is one of my favorite Johnny Cash performances, and by "favorite" I mean I find it powerful, poignant, and heart-wrenching beyond words. Johnny died less than four months after June, but during that brief window of time he worked incessantly, as June had urged him to do before her passing. The combination of frailty and raw power in this performance stuns me every time. Happy Birthday Johnny.

*In related news: Today, to coincide with Cash's birthday, American VI Ain't No Grave, was released. I heard the song, "Redemption Day" written by Sheryl Crow and covered by Cash on this record, on the radio on the way home today, and oh my. Exquisite. I can't seem to find a streaming version of this to link you to, but you can listen to Sheryl perform it here. I can't decide which version I like better. The Cash version is more subdued and reflective, which makes you better appreciate the lyrics, but Sheryl's version is pretty rockin'. Check them both out if you get a chance.