The legend of Johnny Cash began in a farming colony during the Great Depression. It was here, among the cotton fields of Arkansas's Dyess Colony, that the young Cash got his first guitar, took his first singing lessons and wrote his first songs.
The Cash family was a large one, and music was an important part of everyone's upbringing. And Johnny, while the most famous, wasn't the only Cash to carve out a career in music. Tommy Cash followed his brother in country music, and Joanne Cash pursued a career in gospel, recording 29 albums over the years.
In an interview with CBC Music, she recalled her brother's early love of music: "Johnny was always singing in church ... for as long as I can remember, Johnny said he was going to sing. And Mama always called it 'the gift,' because it was ... he had a special voice, from the time he was just real young."
In this audio slideshow, featuring images from Joanne Cash's private collection, the gospel singer discusses growing up in Dyess with her famous brother, the efforts to rebuild their childhood home and the lasting legacy of her family.
The Johnny Cash Music Festival takes place Oct. 5 in Jonesboro, Ark., and will feature Willie Nelson, the Civil Wars, Dierks Bentley and more.
Related:
Johnny Cash's life in four frames [COMIC]
Johnny Cash Music Fest
Johnny Cash's spiritual side shines on Bootleg Volume 4
Happy Birthday Johnny Cash: 25 Songs by the Man in Black
CBC Digital Archives - Music General - Johnny Cash keeps the faith
Dream studios: Sun Studio
Kris Kristofferson to the Louvin Brothers: When gospel meets country
posted by
Brad Frenette
on Aug 28, 2012