Johnny Cash - Dyess, AR - Childhood Homes on Waymarking.com

(from Wikipedia.org)

Johnny Cash (February 26, 1932–September 12, 2003), born J. R. Cash, was an American singer-songwriter and one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. Primarily a country music artist, his songs and sound spanned many other genres including rockabilly and rock and roll (especially early in his career), as well as blues, folk and gospel.

Cash was known for his deep, distinctive bass-baritone voice, the "chicka-boom" freight train sound of his Tennessee Three backing band, his demeanor, and his dark clothing, which earned him the nickname "The Man in Black". He traditionally started his concerts with the introduction "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash".

Much of Cash's music, especially that of his later career, echoed themes of sorrow, moral tribulation and redemption. His signature songs include "I Walk the Line", "Folsom Prison Blues", "Ring of Fire", "Get Rhythm" and "Man in Black". He also recorded humorous songs, such as "One Piece at a Time" and "A Boy Named Sue", a duet with June Carter called "Jackson", as well as railroad songs such as "Hey Porter" and "Rock Island Line."


Johnny Cash was born J. R. Cash in Kingsland, Arkansas, to Ray (1897-1985) and Carrie (née Rivers) Cash (1904-1991), and raised in Dyess, Arkansas.

Cash was given the name "J.R." because his parents could not agree on a name, only on initials. When he enlisted in the United States Air Force, the military would not accept initials as his name, so he adopted John R. Cash as his legal name. In 1955, when signing with Sun Records, he took Johnny Cash as his stage name. His friends and in-laws generally called him John, while his blood relatives usually continued to call him J.R.

Cash was one of seven children: Jack, Joanne Cash Yates, Louise Garrett, Reba Hancock, Roy, and Tommy. His younger brother, Tommy Cash, also became a successful country artist.

By the age of five, J.R. was working in the cotton fields, singing along with his family as they worked. The family farm was flooded on at least one occasion, which later inspired him to write the song "Five Feet High and Rising". His family's economic and personal struggles during the Depression inspired many of his songs, especially those about other people facing similar difficulties

Name of Famous Person: Johnny Cash Physical Address: 4791 CR 924. Dyess, AR 72330 What is this person famous for?: Country Music signer Website verifying legitimacy of site: [Web Link] Additional Website verifying Site legitimacy: [Web Link] Personal Experience: Visiting this place was surreal. This area must be very, very similar to what Johnny Cash must have grown up in. I read about this place in the link listed in this waymark and found that the current resident not only tips his hat to the fame of his house but is welcoming to visitors (read the link). When I visited, reading the sign posted out front, it says that if you would like to take pictures of the house, feel free, just donate $5 for upkeep. I dropped some money in and had a couple photos snapped. Then, Willie Stegall came out and his honest, down-to-earth attitude was amazing. As in the article, he was welcoming and oozed with country-ness. His handshake was very firm and from the callouses on his hands proved he's worked the land. No gift shop, no glitz or glamour. Just a welcoming gentleman with stories of past visitors and the Cash family. Other information about area: Dyess is also the home of Country Music artist Gene Williams. Plans are in place to name the two county highways after the 2 musicians.

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