Johnny Cash may be best known for his immense musical talent and impact on the country music genre, but you may not know that he got his start right here in Arkansas! Born in Kingsland, Ark., a small town in south central Arkansas. That small-town boy now known as the “Man in Black” is back in the spotlight again thanks to two new tributes, and one of those is launching from Walton Arts Center.
The state of Arkansas recently memorialized the famous Kingsland native by creating an eight-foot statue of Cash that will be placed in the U.S. Capitol’s National Statuary Hall Collection. This is quite rare because the collection tends to honor political and historic figures, not musicians. Little Rock artist, Kevin Kresse created the 1,200-pound bronze statue of Cash. After doing extensive research and consulting family members, Kresse chose to highlight Cash in his early ‘70s era, which many people consider to be his most groundbreaking and iconic. Legislators ultimately chose Cash because his music has been so influential to the world.
The artist is finalizing the base that the statue will be placed on which will include inscribed quotes and song lyrics, including lines from Cash and the other notable sayings selected by members of the Cash family.
While viewers in Washington D.C. will get to enjoy the new statue, audiences here will get to see Cash back on stage again thanks to a new production and national tour launching from Walton Arts Center. JOHNNY CASH - The Official Concert Experience uses songs, stories and video of Johnny from episodes of “The Johnny Cash TV Show” projected on a large screen above the stage. Accompanied by a live band and singers joining him in perfect sync will blur the lines between a recorded and a live performance.
The performance will showcase iconic performances from the television show while also highlighting the spirit of the legend by revisiting some of his memorable words and anecdotes. Cash will once again perform some of his biggest hits, including “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Ring of Fire,” and “I Walk the Line,” and share stories of people he met along the way whose causes he championed – the working man from all walks of life. Plus, onstage male and female singers will also perform their own takes on Cash hits. The music never stops at this concert event. The show will also feature on-screen narration by Cash’s only son, John Carter Cash.
Debbie Horton is also name you might recognize or associate with Cash – she was the only female lead guitar player to perform with Cash. Now she is the guitarist touring with the Official Concert Experience! Horton was inspired by Cash; she was the president of his fan club in Virginia and soon became an accomplished guitar player. At his show in Baltimore, Cash surprised Horton and the rest of the audience by bringing her up on stage to play with him. Horton and Cash hit it off and had a unique friendship that evolved over several decades before Cash passed.
You won’t want to miss this opportunity to honor one of our very own. Regular tickets are $35-69 and can be purchased in-person at the Walton Arts Center Box Office weekdays 10 am until 2 pm, by calling 479.443.5600 weekdays 10 am until 5 pm or by visiting waltonartscenter.org.