Ramona Favorite Singer, Johnny Cash

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Ramona Favorite Singer, Johnny Cash wednesday • january • 9 • 2019 page 7 Local woman describes her friendships with country music legends, beginning with JOHNNY CASH pencil or a pen I could use?’ Records days in the ‘50s, I said, ‘Yeah!’ Then, during took a shine to Wondergem’s his shows, he always would younger sister and ended up say, ‘This song is for Wilma overstaying his welcome. and her friends.’ [long sigh] “Luther Perkins liked He always said that. We my sister, so he came to never got tired of seeing him, our house for supper,” we always had a nice time. Wondergem said. “He was Even if the shows were the playing his guitar so long same night after night, we we wished he’d go home! never got tired of it.” He was just sitting there in On one occasion in the our living room playing that ‘60s when Wondergem gave guitar... but it got so late! I Cash and his future wife, remember thinking, ‘I wish June Carter, a ride to their he’d stop!’ Finally we went hotel, she noticed the effects to bed and our mother had to of Cash’s notorious drug use. drive him back to his hotel “This one time we saw downtown.” him, he was really skinny. The last time Wondergem Cash poses with the Wilburn Brothers (Teddy I said something to him went to one of Cash’s and Doyle) backstage in Battle Creek on Jan. 14, about it,” Wondergem said. concerts, he was considered 1958. “That was the time he was a major celebrity and was no at the Civic Auditorium in longer as accessible to the It wasn’t as nice, but it was Wondergem and Cash on Feb. 17, 1966. such as Hank Williams, downtown Grand Rapids. public. still okay.” the Louvin Brothers, Carl by Tim McAllister why I had my picture taken Johnny Cash wasn’t the lead reporter Perkins, Webb Pierce, with him so many times, Wilma Wondergem was only country music star Hawkshaw Hawkins, Carl probably almost every time born, raised and lives in Wondergem became friendly Smith, Conway Twitty, Eddy I saw him. We could get Grand Rapids. Now age 85, with during her youth. In Arnold, Roy Acuff, Slim backstage easily at the Civic she is a retired Michigan upcoming editions of the Whitman and many, many Auditorium. One time we Bell operator. She has lived Ledger, Wondergem will more. went to either Lansing or alone since her mother share stories and more MUCH MORE ON THE Kalamazoo to see Johnny Johanna died in 2001; she unpublished photos of her NEXT TWO PAGES! and some guard said, ‘You never got married and had encounters with legends can’t come back here!’ no children. In the ‘50s Johnny heard and said, and ‘60s, Wondergem was ‘These are friends of mine, an avid country music fan they can come back,’ and who became a friendly we did. The first time that I acquaintance of many of the realized he knew my name big stars who came through was one time when we were town. Sometimes she’d even Cash with his little brother Tommy Cash at Buck backstage after a concert. follow favorite acts from Lake Ranch in Angola, IN, June 1957. People were standing around town to town. getting autographs and he Wondergem and her group said, ‘Wilma, do you have a of friends brought cameras We must’ve went and got our “I went to see him once car or something, then him after I hadn’t seen him for a and June were just coming long time, that was probably out of the auditorium, so in the ‘70s,” Wondergem I said, ‘Would you like a said. “June Carter and the ride?’ He said ‘Yeah!’ so they Carter Family were with got in the car and we gave him, and Jan Howard and them a ride from the Civic everything. Luther Perkins Wilma Wondergem today Auditorium to their hotel. It was dead by then, so the was just a short ways, but show was entirely different. Johnny and June got in the I can’t remember where in back seat and we took them Grand Rapids it was, but we CITY OF LOWELL over there. I think it was the had to sit way up in the back KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN Pantlind Hotel that was right and I never got anywhere by the auditorium. I was near him. When it was just driving. He always gave me Johnny and his band, it was NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO a kiss goodbye, I had to turn better. When June and her CONSIDER PARTICIPATION IN around in the driver’s seat so sisters started touring with THE SMALL URBAN PROGRAM he could give me a kiss.” him, then it was different. I PROVIDING FEDERAL SURFACE Luther Perkins, Cash’s can’t say why. I think maybe Wondergem and Cash at Buck Lake Ranch in TRANSPORTATION FUNDING FOR guitar player since their Sun his mind was more on them. Angola, IN, June 1957. MONROE ST. BETWEEN FREMONT LowellArts Youth Theater presents ST. AND AVERY ST. to the shows, took snapshots PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the City and traded the photos Council of the City of Lowell will hear public among themselves. Today, Wondergem has a nice Henry comment on the participation in the Small collection of autographed AND Urban Program which would provide federal pictures of herself alongside Surface Transportation Program (STP) funding people like Hank Williams, for Monroe St. between Fremont St. and Avery. Carl Perkins and her all-time Ramona favorite singer, Johnny Cash. by Cynthia McGean TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the City She was a fixture at Cash’s based on the books by Beverly Cleary January 17 & 18 early Midwest concerts and Council will meet at the City Hall at 301 E. eventually found herself on at 7:00pm Main Street in the City on Tuesday, January a first-name basis with the January 19 22, 2019, at 7 p.m., local time, for the purpose singer. at 2:00pm & 7:00pm of hearing the public about this transportation “Johnny was nice. He At Lowell Performing project. had kind of a sick smile, Arts Center though,” Wondergem said. Lowell High School, 11700 Vergennes, “I don’t remember long Lowell, MI 49331 Susan Ullery conversations or anything, General admission tickets. City Clerk $7 in advance and at door. but he was always pleasant City of Lowell and friendly. I don’t know lowellartsmi.org.
Recommended publications
  • Johnny Cash 1992.Pdf
    PERFORM ER S Johnny Cash He s the man in black, “a walking contradiction, partly granted him a solo audition in late 1954, and invited him truth and partly fiction.” His six foot-plus, ebon-draped back with his group. frame has worked itself deep into the American psyche to be­ On the first day of spring, 1955, the cards were on the table come as familiar to some as Woody Guthrie or Billy the Kid, at Sun. Red Kernodle succumbed to the pressure and disap­ Geronimo or Luke the Drifter. peared. But Cash rose to the occasion with a song he’d just fin­ Johnny Cash is a little bit of all those American legends. ished writing. Luther’s unadorned lead guitar picked a sparse­ During a career that spans five distinct decades, he has created ly melodic pattern, and Marshall came up with a bedrock more than 1,000 compositions that describe a folk hero in rhythm as characteristic of the Sun Sound as that of Elvis, transition, singing in his distinctive baritoned-bass voice of Scotty and Bill. The five masters cut at that session resulted in coal miners and sharecroppers, cowboys and Native Ameri­ one serviceable B-side, “Hey Porter.” Phillips sent John home cans, families and lovers. Invariably, he returns to his early to write him a hit. years for strength and inspiration. The result was “Cry! Cry! Cry,” recorded in May by the At the height of the Great Depression, on February 26, newly-christened Johnny Cash & the Tennessee Two and is­ 1932, in the town of Kingsland, Arkansas, Ray Cash and Car- sued as Sun 221 b/w “Hey Porter.” The single took the Mem­ ric Rivers Cash bore a son named J.R.
    [Show full text]
  • Johnny Cash by Dave Hoekstra Sept
    Johnny Cash by Dave Hoekstra Sept. 11, 1988 HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. A slow drive from the new steel-and-glass Nashville airport to the old stone-and-timber House of Cash in Hendersonville absorbs a lot of passionate land. A couple of folks have pulled over to inspect a black honky-tonk piano that has been dumped along the roadway. Cabbie Harold Pylant tells me I am the same age Jesus Christ was when he was crucified. Of course, this is before Pylant hands over a liter bottle of ice water that has been blessed by St. Peter. This is life close to the earth. Johnny Cash has spent most of his 56 years near the earth, spiritually and physically. He was born in a three-room railroad shack in Kingsland, Ark. Father Ray Cash was an indigent farmer who, when unable to live off the black dirt, worked on the railroad, picked cotton, chopped wood and became a hobo laborer. Under a New Deal program, the Cash family moved to a more fertile northeastern Arkansas in 1935, where Johnny began work as a child laborer on his dad's 20-acre cotton farm. By the time he was 14, Johnny Cash was making $2.50 a day as a water boy for work gangs along the Tyronza River. "The hard work on the farm is not anything I've ever missed," Cash admitted in a country conversation at his House of Cash offices here, with Tom T. Hall on the turntable and an autographed picture of Emmylou Harris on the wall.
    [Show full text]
  • Johnny Cash Returns to ‘Stamping Ovation’ Legendary Singer Is Second Inductee Into Multi-Year Music Icons Series
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Mark Saunders June 5, 2013 [email protected] 202-268-6524 usps.com/news Release No. 13-056 To obtain a high-resolution of the stamp image for media use only, please email [email protected]. Johnny Cash Returns to ‘Stamping Ovation’ Legendary Singer is Second Inductee into Multi-Year Music Icons Series NASHVILLE — John Carter Cash, Rosanne Cash, Larry Gatlin, Jamey Johnson, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Roys, Marty Stuart, Randy Travis and other entertainers paid tribute to Johnny Cash as he was inducted today into the Postal Service’s Music Icons Forever stamp series at the Grand Ole Opry’s Ryman Auditorium. “With his gravelly baritone and spare percussive guitar, Johnny Cash had a distinctive musical sound — a blend of country, rock ’n’ roll and folk — that he used to explore issues that many other popular musicians of his generation wouldn’t touch,” said U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors member Dennis Toner. “His songs tackled sin and redemption, good and evil, selfishness, loneliness, temptation, love, loss and death. And Johnny explored these themes with a stark realism that was very different from other popular music of that time.” “It is an amazing blessing that my father, Johnny Cash be honored with this stamp. Dad was a hardworking man, a man of dignity. As much as anything else he was a proud American, always supporting his family, fans and country. I can think of no better way to pay due respect to his legacy than through the release of this stamp,” said singer-songwriter, producer John Carter Cash, Johnny Cash’s son.
    [Show full text]
  • March 1-May 5, 2013
    March 1-May 5, 2013 Created by Richard Maltby, Jr. Conceived by William Meade Orchestrations by Steven Bishop and Jeff Lisenby RING OF FIRE: Milwaukee Repertory Theater presents THE MUSIC OF JOHHNY CASH PLAY GUIDE • Written by Leda Hoffmann Education Coordinator with contributions from Steven Esche Education Intern Created and Directed by Richard Maltby, Jr. Amanda Garrigan Conceived by William Meade Education Intern Orchestrations by Steven Bishop and Jeff Lisenby March 1- May 5, 2013 • Stackner Cabaret Play Guide edited by Lisa Fulton MARK’S TAKE: Director of Marketing “Prior to coming to America, I’d never paid much attention to country music. But it’s now JC Clementz Literary Assistant become a style that I absolutely love. Johnny Cash is so influential to so many musicians Jenny Kostreva across so many genres, and Ring of Fire treats Education Director us to all of those legendary, great songs, • while giving us a snapshot into his life. It’s a Graphic Design by celebration of his soul-stirring music—really good stuff!” Eric Reda -Mark Clements, Artistic Director TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 3 Synopsis Musical Numbers Page 4 Johnny Cash Timeline Tickets: 414-224-9490 www.MilwaukeeRep.com Page 6 Johnny Cash: The Man Page 7 Richard Maltby, Jr. Mark Clements Page 8 Visiting The Rep Artistic Director Milwaukee Repertory Theater 108 E. Wells Street Milwaukee, WI • 53202 SYNOPSIS Ring of Fire is a jukebox musical that celebrates the lives and stories Johnny Cash sang about in his music. A cast of four men and one woman tell his remarkable life story through some of the greatest songs of one of America’s most brilliant singer/ songwriters, Johnny Cash.
    [Show full text]
  • Kristofferson Hit Songs.Rtf
    Oct. 17, 2004--- The year 1969 was golden for Kris Kristofferson, who wrote three iconic songs that year. "Sunday Morning Coming Down" became an anthem for Johnny Cash, Janis Joplin had her final hit with "Me and Bobby McGee," and Ray Price's remorseful take on "For the Good Times" remains timeless. Here's Kristofferson talking about how he wrote each song: "Sunday Morning Coming Down": "I was writing about what I was living at the time," Kristofferson said. "I was living alone in a condemned apartment that cost $50 a month, right on Music Row in Nashville. It was a dump. If you didn't have a family, Sundays were a pretty lonely time on Music Row. Everything was shut. The bars weren't even open. "The song's form was probably helped out by my relationship with Mickey Newbury. I know the 'wishin' lord I was stoned' sounds like a Mickey Newbury line. "John Cash always said I flew it in to Cash's backyard in a helicopter. But that wasn't the song I had at the time. As long as John cut it later and did me such a good turn by doing that, I'm willing to go along with whatever he said. But I had been pitching songs at John a long time. Every song I wrote I'd give to June Carter Cash or Cash's guitarist Luther Perkins to give to him. He knew who I was and he was very encouraging to me as a songwriter, but he never cut anything of mine.
    [Show full text]
  • 2021 Season Presents
    ARIZONA BROADWAY THEatRE 2021 SEASON presents CRAZY FOR GERSHWIN BEEHIVE FEB 26 - MAR 21 MAR 26 - APR 18 NUNSENSE GODSPELL Conceived and compiled by Scott Moreau APR 23 - MAY 16 MAY 21 - JUN 13 with JR McAlexander and Seth Reines for Showtune Productions, 2012 Directed by Written by SCOTT MOREAU SCOTT MOREAU, JR MCALEXANDER, AND SETH REINES GILLIGAN’S ISLAND LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS JUN 18 - JUL 11 JUL 16 - AUG 8 Keys Bass DENICE MINTER DAN STOTZ Drums Guitar DEREK ENGLER JARED MANCUSO THE SPITFIRE GRILL AUG 13 - SEP 5 ABT Performing Arts Association, Inc. Assoc. Artistic Director Artistic Producer Executive Producer AZBROADWAY.ORG | 623-776-8400 KURTIS OVERBY CASSANDRA KLAPHAKE KIEL KLAPHAKE SCOTT MOREAU is from Litchfield, Maine, and MUSICAL NUMBERS holds a BFA in Music Theatre from Illinois Wesleyan University. He is a 21-year veteran of the professional SONG WRITTEN BY stage and is most known for his portrayal of Johnny Folsom Prison Blues .........................................................Johnny Cash Cash on the 1st National Broadway Tour of Million Hey, Porter! .................Johnny Cash, Luther Perkins, Marshall Grant Dollar Quartet. He has reprised his role as Johnny Cash (a part he has now played over 1,000 times) Cry, Cry, Cry .....................................................................Johnny Cash numerous times: The Regional Premiere at the Ogunquit Playhouse I Still Miss Someone ................................... Johnny Cash, Roy Cash Jr in 2015 (and return performance in 2016), The Tony Award-winning Get Rhythm ......................................................................Johnny Cash Paper Mill Playhouse, Riverside Theatre, Springer Opera House, Don’t Take Your Guns To Town .......................................Johnny Cash Fulton Theatre, Maine State Music Theatre, New Theatre, Farmer’s Alley Theatre and The Las Vegas production at Harrah’s Casino.
    [Show full text]
  • Register Now for Jack-O-Lantern Event at the Dwight Library and Get a Free Pumpkin by ANNE JOHNSON Hall, Hwy
    A20 THE FORESTER, Wednesday, October 15, 2008 The sound of Johnny Cash heard once again BY KAREN LONGWELL “It is a very distinctive sound that nobody else It is a show Johnny Cash fans will not want to does,” said Wootton. “There are several Johnny Cash miss. imitators, but they don’t have that sound.” The Tennessee Three, featuring a member of Perkins died in a house fire in 1968 and in Sep- Johnny Cash’s band Bob Wootton, will perform two tember of that same year Wootton helped the band in nights in the Muskoka area, one at the Algonquin Fayetteville, Arkansas when the guitarist was delayed Theatre. on a flight. Wootton was a member of Cash’s band The Ten- Wootton said the sound is distinct yet simple — a nessee Three from 1968 to 1997. sound other guitar players have yet to duplicate. Reached on the telephone while on tour, Wootton “I have had people say, Boy, if I close my eyes I said at the age of 66, he still likes touring. These days swear Johnny Cash was on stage,’ but I don’t get it his whole family travels with him and plays music. because I don’t think I sound like him (when sing- His dog Cuddles, heard barking in the background, ing).” comes along for the ride. Wootton believes the years he spent working with “Even got the dog with us,” said Wootton in a Cash rubbed off on him. southern drawl. “I was there doing it with Johnny Cash and when Wootton said he was about to board a ferry near you are with somebody that long, you kind of take on Nelson, British Columbia during the call.
    [Show full text]
  • Christie's Goes Country
    For Immediate Release November 13, 2009 Contact: Sung-Hee Park [email protected] 212.636.2680 CHRISTIE’S GOES COUNTRY INAUGURAL COUNTRY MUSIC SALE TO BE OFFERED AT CHRISTIE’S NEW YORK The Country Music Sale December 3, 2009 New York- On December 3, Christie’s is pleased to offer The Country Music Sale featuring property from the Estate of Hank Thompson, the first sale dedicated to the creation, history, and evolution of Country Music. The foundation of the sale is property from the estate of Texas Swing Band leader, song writer and country performer Hank Thompson (highlights illustrated above). This sale also includes important property from the classic and marquee names in Country Music, including musical instruments, stage outfits, and hand-written lyrics from American artists such as Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, Waylon Jennings, Hank Snow, Hank Williams, Conway Twitty, Bill Monroe, Buddy Holly, Johnny and June Carter Cash, Luther Perkins, and John Hartford. “The property in this inaugural sale tells a story of Country Music through the objects owned and used by the performers. This is a rare opportunity for Country Music fans to acquire some of the finest instruments, costumes and memorabilia from legendary artists,” said Kerry Keane and Cathy Elkies, Christie’s Head Specialists for the sale. Leading the sale is Buddy Holly’s Gibson J-45 guitar, circa 1942-43 (illustrated right, estimate: $450,000-550,000). This guitar was used frequently during his performing years, possibly even during his performances with Elvis Presley or Bill Haley in his hometown of Lubbock, Texas. Distinctively personalized, Holly hand-tooled the leather cover and strap himself as a tribute to Elvis Presley, whom he first met in January 1955.
    [Show full text]
  • Johnny Cash – a Gregory Peck
    www.tftw.freeuk.com £1/10/0d - £1.50 - €2.44 - $2.25 Issue No. 34 October 2003 Every bomber built is a theft from the poor Line’, which starred Johnny Cash – A Gregory Peck. Add to this a weekly U.S. television show (four Personal Tribute episodes even made it by Steve Howarth to the U.K. on a pilot scheme), a film with Kirk I first saw Johnny Cash in 1968 at the Manchester Douglas (A Gunfight) Odeon along with my brother Tony. Being a young and the excellent ‘J.C. rocker, I was there primarily to see Carl Perkins The Man, His World, His but, by the end of the performance, I was in no Music’ doing the rounds doubt who the star of the show was. I was only at the cinemas, cameos familiar with a handful of Johnny’s songs so was in ’Columbo’ and ‘Little in the enviable position of hearing most of the House On The Prairie’ material for the first time. Songs of rivers, trains, (remember him singing prisons, love death and hard times in rural ‘Black Jack Davy’?); Arkansas, all driven along by the Tennessee we’d never seen or Three and this charismatic singing story teller in heard so much of the the black frock coat with a delivery that grabbed man in black. this listener and never let go. Fortunately, the Cash back catalogue was still easy to obtain in the late ‘60s. Any decent record shop might stock a dozen CBS albums and the Sun stuff was still available from Dan Coffey; quite a strain on an apprentice’s wages! I followed Johnny’s career ever since that first awakening.
    [Show full text]
  • 01. Early Gig Notes
    01. Early Gig Notes BILL and SUE-ON HILLMAN: A 50-YEAR MUSICAL ODYSSEY 50 Years on the Road with Bill and Sue-On Hillman www.hillmanweb.com/book GIG NOTES SECTION www.hillmanweb.com/book/gigs Presents Part I: The Roots Years Memory Take Me Back :: Roots and Wings www.hillmanweb.com/book/gigs/01.html PDF PRINT: www.hillmanweb.com/book/gigs/01.pdf East Meets West www.hillmanweb.com/cards/60/roots2all.jpg From the Hillman Photo Collage Archive www.hillmanweb.com/cards http://www.hillmanweb.com/book/gigs/01.html[2014-12-21 1:29:34 PM] 01. Early Gig Notes PART I: CONTENTS Quick Links to the Anecdotes and Photos in this Chapter www.hillmanweb.com/cards/60/roots2all.jpg China Doll Family Roots and Jams Luther Played the Boogie Woogie www.hillmanweb.com/cards/early/earlyall.jpg www.hillmanweb.com/cards/roots/sunall.jpg War Baby Follows The Muse: Strathclair to Newfie Simon Crumb www.hillmanweb.com/cards/early/rcnall.jpg WWII Music: Big Bands and Hong Kong Girl Singers Window to the World. and Brandon Magic Portal: Googling the Dial A Really Big Shew Trips to Paris www.hillmanweb.com/cards/roots/schoolall.jpg www.hillmanweb.com/cards/roots/warworldsall.jpg Air Cadet PQ Jams and Bawdy Ballads 50 Top Hits On 78 RPM! www.hillmanweb.com/cards/early/rememberall.jpg Life Revolving at 78 RPM Electric Silver Tones 10 Inch Magic Platters Campbell Christie Orchestra That Ain't How Jerry Lee Plays It Neepawa Variatones Hello Monterey Don't Worry 'bout Marty Rewards of Myopia The King of Skiffle Invades Manitoba Up Around The Bend www.hillmanweb.com/cards/roots/doneganall.jpg Elvis And Chet Come To Town Lonnie Donegan Launches a Thousand Picks and Licks Lonnie's Farewell www.hillmanweb.com/cards/roots/bendall.jpg Royal American Shows www.hillmanweb.com/cards/roots/elvis1all.jpg || www.hillmanweb.com/cards/roots/elvisall.jpg http://www.hillmanweb.com/cards/early/earlyall.jpg http://www.hillmanweb.com/book/gigs/01.html[2014-12-21 1:29:34 PM] 01.
    [Show full text]
  • February 2011 Newspaper
    A monthly guide to your community library, its programs and services Issue No. 262, February 2011 February holidays The library will be open 1 to 5 p.m. on WALKING THE LINE: Monday, February 21 in observance of A Tribute to Johnny Cash Presidents’ Day. Men’s book group Join us on Tuesday, February 1 at 2 or 7:30 p.m. for a discussion of Summer- time by J.M. Coetzee. In this autobio- graphical novel, a young biographer is researching for his book about the deceased John Coetzee. He interviews various people who knew Coetzee when he was in his 30s, based on the notion that this was the period in which Coetzee developed himself as a writer. AARP Tax Help Get help with your tax return on Tues- days from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. February 1 through April 12. Appointment re- quired — call the Information Desk SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27 AT 3 P.M. Join us for Walking the Line: A Tribute to Johnny Cash. On February 26, the Man in Black would have for availability. been 79. Walking the Line takes you on a musical journey performing material from every decade of Cash’s legendary career. Long Island’s own Tom Cavanagh, whose most recent gig was as lead guitar in Broadway’s Rock of Ages, plays the part of Johnny Cash. The 7-piece band comes complete with three Carter sisters providing harmonies — Christine Vaskas as June, Lisa Stawecki as Anita and Jess Katz as Helen. New magazines Also, James Erickson on guitar as Luther Perkins, Kenny Kearney on bass as Marshall Grant, Chris Pagano on drums as W.S.
    [Show full text]
  • American IV: the Man Comes Around As a Musical Memoir
    La Salle University La Salle University Digital Commons Undergraduate Research La Salle Scholar Spring 2014 American IV: The aM n Comes Around as a Musical Memoir Amy Bonsal La Salle University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.lasalle.edu/undergraduateresearch Part of the Literature in English, North America Commons, Modern Literature Commons, and the Music Commons Recommended Citation Bonsal, Amy, "American IV: The aM n Comes Around as a Musical Memoir" (2014). Undergraduate Research. 10. http://digitalcommons.lasalle.edu/undergraduateresearch/10 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the La Salle Scholar at La Salle University Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Undergraduate Research by an authorized administrator of La Salle University Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Bonsal 1 Amy Bonsal American IV: The Man Comes Around as a Musical Memoir Musicians are marked, measured and branded by the material they produce, and often how it pertains to their own life. Particularly, in the case of country and rock & roll icon, Johnny Cash, all eyes locked in on his American recordings. These albums were recorded as his health steadily declined, signifying his musical end, if not physical death, was looming. Therefore, when his album American IV: The Man Comes Around was released in 2002, it was clear Cash was reflecting back on his career. Upon analysis of this album, it is evident that Cash had wanted to create a lasting impression with his music. What he had recorded proved to be extremely telling as Cash died months after the album’s release.
    [Show full text]