Johnny Cash: The Rebel

My posts about Johnny Cash have been reverential, because that's the way I feel about him.

But let's not forget Johnny the rebel, who started his career as a "rockabilly" too rowdy for the timid Nashville music business. And came full circle back to that point.

This famous 1998 ad, found at his Web site, expressed his reaction to the grandees of the Nashville music business who chose to ignore him, even as his music was reaching new fans.

The caption says, "American Recordings and Johnny Cash would like to acknowledge the Nashville music establishment and country radio for your support." It shows Johnny giving what one German memorial article calls a "lick me" gesture.

It's very fitting that two of those scheduled to perform at his private funeral service are Emmylou Harris and Kris Kristofferson, both Nashville outsiders in their own ways. Kris is also scheduled to give a spoken tribute.

Hearing: Johnny Cash, "The Mercy Seat" (Nick Cave, Mick Harvey)

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