Some 24 years ago I had the pleasure of meeting Johnny Cash through my work. That's me standing next to him Zelig-like and still tense from a landing in Nashville in the midst of a fierce snowstorm. My employer was honoring Cash and Rosanne Cash for having the number one song at that time: "Tennessee Flat-Top Box," which Johnny Cash had composed and Rosanne Cash had covered.
He graciously acknowledged my awestruck chatter, but he seemed to genuinely appreciate the fact that I told him that my favorite recording of his was his Bitter Tears album, his tribute to Native Americans. I can remember him saying that he was especially proud of this recording, but he also took pains to acknowledge the contribution of Peter LaFarge who wrote several of the songs for the album.
Personable, humble, humane, talented and gracious. That's how I'll always remember him. I can't imagine any better way to be remembered. Mr. Cash, you will be missed.
Jeanne D'Arc and Eric Alterman have moving tributes.
What a harsh past few months it's been for musicians: Benny Carter, Johnny Cash, Celia Cruz, Compay Segundo and Warren Zevon are just of the souls who've left us.
and then, of course, there's that weird synchronicity between ritter and cash. ritter's father gave cash his first television exposure.
Posted by: akaky | September 13, 2003 at 03:08 PM
That is a little creepy, isn't it.
Posted by: Randy Paul | September 13, 2003 at 03:13 PM