Johnny Cash’s music career began after he successfully auditioned for Sam Phillips, the owner of Sun Studios. Phillips had recently discovered Elvis Presley and quickly picked up Cash and his band, the Tennessee Two. In 1960, drummer W. S. Holland joined the band, changing its name to the Tennessee Three. Throughout his career Cash continued to release songs reaching out to a younger generation of fans by embracing artists such as Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, and Bob Dylan.

In 2013, the Johnny Cash Museum opened to the public. Visitors can view exhibits showcasing one of the largest collections of Cash family photos, Johnny Cash’s personal effects, and even a brick from Johnny and June Carter’s home before it burned down.

The museum recently unveiled its new Legends of Sun Recordsexhibit. This exhibit highlights artists who gained fame while recording for the Sun Records label. In addition to Johnny Cash, Sun Records’ most famous talent included Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, and W. S. Holland. Through photographs, record covers, and artifacts, visitors can experience the early careers of these famous entertainers.

Today, the Johnny Cash Museum offers many exhibits, holds public and private events, offers the Bongo Java Café for refreshments between exhibits, and has a museum store for visitors to buy Johnny Cash collectables.

Script written by Michelle Richoll.

Credits and Sources:

Daniel Geary, “Cash And Carry:Hilburn's Bio Ask That We Cross, Not Walk, the Line From Fandom to Fact,” last modified February 25, 2015, https://commonreader.wustl.edu/c/cash-carry/.

“Legends of Sun Records Exhibit Unveiled at Johnny Cash Museum in Nashville,” last modified August 15, 2014, http://www.countryweekly.com/news/legends-sun-records-exhibit-unveiled-johnny-cash-museum-nashville.

Quint Qualls and Peter Cooper, “Johnny Cash Museum opens in Nashville,” last modified May 30, 2013, http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/05/30/johnny-cash-museum-opens/2374195/.

Dean E. Carlson, “Johnny Cash:  Sinner Redeemed,” accessed April 8, 2015, http://blog.lib.umn.edu/carls064/freealonzo/Johnny%20Cash%20Sinner%20Redeemed.doc.