Johnny Cash

Did you know Johnny Cash once played a concert inside a real prison for hundreds of inmates? It's true - his live album At Folsom Prison helped people hear the lives of prisoners and made him a bigger star.

Johnny Cash was an American singer who rose to fame in the 1950s. People called him the Man in Black because he often dressed in black. He had a deep voice and sang country, rock, folk, and gospel songs.

The most important thing about Johnny Cash is that he sang honest stories about real people and hard times. His biggest hits include I Walk the Line, Folsom Prison Blues, and Ring of Fire. He started in the 1950s and kept making music for decades.

Cash recorded powerful live albums at Folsom Prison and San Quentin, hosted The Johnny Cash Show on TV, and made famous duets with June Carter. In the 1990s new recordings introduced him to younger listeners. Many musicians say he inspired them.

Johnny Cash showed that music can help people notice those who are treated unfairly and feel less alone. His steady guitar and honest voice turned songs into strong stories people still remember. Try I Walk the Line or the Folsom album to hear him.