Early Life and Education of Johnny Cash: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Johnny Cash, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Johnny Cash, the "Man in Black," was a highly influential American singer-songwriter renowned for his distinctive bass-baritone voice and the signature train-like sound of his band, the Tennessee Three. His music often explored themes of sorrow, moral struggles, and redemption, particularly in his later work. Known for his rebellious persona juxtaposed with a somber humility, he famously performed free concerts in prisons. Cash's all-black attire became his trademark, solidifying his iconic status in music history.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

February 26, 1932: John R. Cash is born

John Ray Cash, also known as J. R. Cash, was born on February 26, 1932. He was an American singer-songwriter known for his songs with themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption.

Others born on this day/year

March 1935: Cash Family moves to Dyess, Arkansas

In March 1935, when Johnny Cash was three years old, his family settled in Dyess, Arkansas, a New Deal colony established during the Great Depression.

1944: Becoming a Christian

In 1944, Johnny Cash became a Christian at the Central Baptist Church in Dyess, Arkansas, and began singing publicly there.

1944: Death of Jack Cash

In 1944, Johnny Cash's older brother Jack died from injuries sustained in a table saw accident. This event had a profound impact on Cash, who felt guilt over the incident.

July 7, 1950: Cash Enlists in the Air Force

On July 7, 1950, Johnny Cash enlisted in the Air Force shortly after the start of the Korean War. He was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base and Brooks Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, and later assigned to Landsberg, West Germany. While in San Antonio, he met Vivian Liberto.

July 18, 1951: Meeting Vivian Liberto

On July 18, 1951, Johnny Cash met Vivian Liberto at a roller skating rink in San Antonio, Texas, while in Air Force basic training.

July 3, 1954: Cash Honorably Discharged from the Air Force

On July 3, 1954, Johnny Cash was honorably discharged from the Air Force as a staff sergeant and returned to Texas. During his time in West Germany, he worked as a Morse code operator and formed his first band, "The Landsberg Barbarians".

August 7, 1954: Marriage to Vivian Liberto

On August 7, 1954, Johnny Cash married Vivian Liberto at St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church in San Antonio, one month after his discharge from the Air Force.

1954: Cash Moves to Memphis and Auditions for Sun Records

In 1954, Johnny Cash and his first wife Vivian moved to Memphis, Tennessee. Cash worked as an appliance salesman while studying to be a radio announcer, and he auditioned for Sam Phillips at Sun Records, initially focusing on gospel songs.

1961: Move to Casitas Springs, California

In 1961, Johnny Cash moved his family to a hilltop home in Casitas Springs, California, where his parents also ran a trailer park.

August 22, 1964: Advertisement in Billboard Regarding Ira Hayes Song

On August 22, 1964, Johnny Cash posted a letter as an advertisement in Billboard magazine, defending his song "Ira Hayes" and criticizing the record industry's fear of controversial topics.

1965: Appearance on Rainbow Quest

In 1965, Johnny Cash and June Carter appeared on Pete Seeger's TV show, Rainbow Quest, where Cash discussed his activism for Native Americans.

1966: Adoption by Seneca Nation's Turtle Clan

In 1966, Johnny Cash was adopted by the Seneca Nation's Turtle Clan in recognition of his activism.

1967: Cash Arrested in Walker County, Georgia

In 1967, Johnny Cash was arrested in Walker County, Georgia, after police found him carrying prescription pills after a car accident. Sheriff Ralph Jones' warning helped him turn his life around. He later played a benefit concert in LaFayette, raising $75,000 for the high school.

March 1, 1968: Marriage to June Carter

On March 1, 1968, Johnny Cash married June Carter in Franklin, Kentucky, after proposing during a live performance in London, Ontario.

1968: Cash Rediscovered Christian Faith and Sought Help for Addiction

In 1968, Johnny Cash rediscovered his Christian faith and took an "altar call" in Evangel Temple. While he was trying to get sober, June, Maybelle, and Ezra Carter moved into Cash's mansion for a month to help him get off drugs.

March 3, 1970: Birth of John Carter Cash

On March 3, 1970, Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash had their only child together, John Carter Cash.

Others born on this day/year

May 9, 1971: Answering the Altar Call

On May 9, 1971, Johnny Cash answered the altar call at Evangel Temple in Nashville, an Assemblies of God congregation.

1973: Release of Gospel Road: A Story of Jesus Film

In 1973, Johnny Cash co-wrote and narrated the film about the life of Jesus, "Gospel Road: A Story of Jesus", which was then released.

November 22, 1974: Riding The Rails TV Special

On November 22, 1974, CBS aired Johnny Cash's one-hour TV special entitled "Riding The Rails", a musical history of trains.

March 17, 1975: Special Concert at Naval War College

On March 17, 1975, Johnny Cash, along with The Tennessee Three, June Carter Cash, and Carl Lee Perkins, performed a special concert for a military audience at the Naval War College in Rhode Island.

1975: Publication of Man in Black Autobiography

In 1975, Johnny Cash's first autobiography, "Man in Black", was published.

1977: Cash Relapses into Amphetamine Use

In 1977, Johnny Cash began using amphetamines again.

November 1978: Pilgrimage to Israel

In November 1978, Johnny Cash and his wife June completed a Bible course, culminating in a pilgrimage to Israel.

1979: Recording of Gospel Double-LP

In 1979, Johnny Cash recorded "A Believer Sings the Truth", a gospel double-LP that was released on an independent label despite Cash's contract with Columbia.

1983: Cash Enters Rehab at the Betty Ford Clinic

By 1983, Johnny Cash was deeply addicted again and entered rehab at the Betty Ford Clinic for treatment.

1983: Relapse into Addiction After Abdominal Injury

In 1983, Johnny Cash relapsed into addiction after being administered painkillers for a serious abdominal injury caused by an incident in which he was kicked and wounded by an ostrich on his farm.

1988: Double Bypass Surgery

In 1988, Johnny Cash underwent double bypass surgery after Waylon Jennings suggested that Cash get his heart condition checked out.

1989: Cash Enters Cumberland Heights Treatment Center

In 1989, Johnny Cash entered Nashville's Cumberland Heights Alcohol and Drug Treatment Center.

1989: Commitment to Salvation at Arkansas Performance

In 1989, Johnny Cash spoke about his commitment to the salvation of drug dealers and alcoholics at a performance in Arkansas, and sang "Family Bible".

1990: Recording of Johnny Cash Reads The Complete New Testament

In 1990, Johnny Cash recorded "Johnny Cash Reads The Complete New Testament".

Johnny Cash Reading the Complete New Testament: NKJV Audio Bible

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1992: Cash Enters Loma Linda Behavioral Medicine Center for Final Rehab

In 1992, Johnny Cash started care at the Loma Linda Behavioral Medicine Center in Loma Linda, California, for his final rehabilitation treatment. His son followed him into the facility several months later.

October 25, 1997: Collapse on Stage and Parkinson's Announcement

On October 25, 1997, Johnny Cash nearly collapsed on stage in Flint, Michigan, and subsequently announced to his audience that he had Parkinson's disease, which was later discovered to be a misdiagnosis.

1998: Hospitalization with Pneumonia

In 1998, Johnny Cash was hospitalized with severe pneumonia, resulting in damage to his lungs and further impacting his health.

2002: Cash Denies Phillips' Comment

In a 2002 interview, Johnny Cash denied that Sam Phillips told him to "go home and sin, then come back with a song I can sell".

July 5, 2003: Last Public Performance

On July 5, 2003, Johnny Cash gave his last public performance at the Carter Family Fold in Bristol, Virginia, where he read a statement before singing "Ring of Fire".

August 21, 2003: Final Recording Session

On August 21, 2003, Johnny Cash made his final recordings, including "Like the 309" and "Engine 143", shortly before his death.

January 2006: Sale of Lakeside Home

In January 2006, Johnny Cash's lakeside home on Caudill Drive in Hendersonville was sold to Bee Gees vocalist Barry Gibb and his wife Linda for $2.3 million.

2006: Sale of House of Cash

In 2006, the Johnny Cash Museum, located in one of Cash's properties in Hendersonville and dubbed the House of Cash, was sold based on Cash's will.

April 10, 2007: Fire Destroys Cash's Former Home

On April 10, 2007, a fire erupted at Johnny Cash's former lakeside home in Hendersonville during renovation work for the new owner, Barry Gibb. The fire spread quickly due to flammable wood preservative, resulting in the complete destruction of the building.

2021: DNA test of Rosanne Cash on Finding Your Roots

In 2021, a DNA test of Rosanne Cash, Johnny Cash's daughter, on Finding Your Roots revealed she has no known Native American markers, but has 3.3% Sub-Saharan African DNA from both maternal and paternal sides of Cash's family.

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