Johnny Cash was born on this day in 1932. Like a lot of you, I was raised on Johnny Cash. The music my parents liked was like that scene in The Blues Brothers where John Belushi's character asks the barmaid at Bob's Country Bunker what kind of music they play there, and she says "Both kinds. Country AND Western". My dad favored the more jukebox variety of country/honky tonk, like Patsy Cline, Ray Price, Hank Locklin, Don Gibson... and my mother preferred the western sound of Marty Robbins, Sons of the Pioneers, along with the folkier roots... the Carter Family, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Jimmie Rodgers (the singing brakeman) and Bill Monroe. But they both loved Johnny Cash. He just had it all, heart and soul, rhythm and blues, plus you could dance to him. I loved him too, and being the offspring I got exposed to everything and got to pick and choose what I liked. Cash was one-of-a-kind. A real genuine article. With mainstream country radio being the way it is (clear channel cardboard muzak) it's hard for a genuine article to even get played there these days. Hank didn't do it thataway*, and neither did Cash. We'll have to look elsewhere, but keep looking. Keep listening.
*We listen to the radio to hear whats cookin
But the music ain't got no soul
Now they sound tired but they don't sound haggard
They've got money but they don't have cash
They got junior but they don't have hank
--- Long Time Gone, by the Dixie Chicks
Johnny Cash was born on this day in 1932. Like a lot of you, I was raised on Johnny Cash. The music my parents liked was like that scene in The Blues Brothers where John Belushi's character asks the barmaid at Bob's Country Bunker what kind of music they play there, and she says "Both kinds. Country AND Western". My dad favored the more jukebox variety of country/honky tonk, like Patsy Cline, Ray Price, Hank Locklin, Don Gibson... and my mother preferred the western sound of Marty Robbins, Sons of the Pioneers, along with the folkier roots... the Carter Family, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Jimmie Rodgers (the singing brakeman) and Bill Monroe. But they both loved Johnny Cash. He just had it all, heart and soul, rhythm and blues, plus you could dance to him. I loved him too, and being the offspring I got exposed to everything and got to pick and choose what I liked. Cash was one-of-a-kind. A real genuine article. With mainstream country radio being the way it is (clear channel cardboard muzak) it's hard for a genuine article to even get played there these days. Hank didn't do it thataway*, and neither did Cash. We'll have to look elsewhere, but keep looking. Keep listening.
8 comments:
Arrright! Happy Birthday Johnny. It's fun to read about the influences of your parents' musical tastes.
Johnny Cash came on the scene when music needed him, and came into a family that he needed. On the third "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" Johnny Cash sings a tune called "Tears in the Holston River" about the losses of Maybelle and Sara Carter. It's a sweet tribute.
That Chick's song almost bought Tim O'Brien a new refridgerator! LOL...
I need to hear Long Black Veil...
Long Time Gone is credited on the CD to Darrell Scott, but they sure have provided many trips to mailbox (to pick up a check) for many people! Tim is a really fine songwriter too.
I always think of The Band, Music From Big Pink for Long Black Veil. It's the most mournful version I've heard.
All hail the man in black.
I have never really cared for ANY kind of country music, but I loves me some Man in Black.
The closest I come to liking country music is Willie. But then, who doesn't like Willie.
Country music makes me want to start drinking and being promiscuous.
That boy name o' Sue sho did make good, now di'n't he?
Happy Belated JC!
D'oh! Am I thinking of "More Love"? Mebbeh. I gotta check out The Band version. I was in an Irish bar in Cleveland about a year ago, not the kind of place you hear trad or country music by any means, and some young woman started singing "Long Black Veil." It was surreal.
:::looking up Chicks liner notes:::
Yes! That's correct. It is More Love.
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