CMT Documentary Explores The Many Sides of Johnny Cash

Back row (L-R): Leslie Fram, SVP Music and Talent, CMT; Lewis Bogach, VP Series Production and Development, CMT; Ana Cristina Alvarez, fiancée of John Carter Cash; John Carter Cash, son of Johnny Cash; Brian Mansfield, Senior Music Writer, USA Today; Brian Philips, President, CMT; John Miller-Monzon, Director, News and Documentaries, CMT; Derik Murray, Executive Producer, Producer and Co-director, “Johnny Cash: American Rebel”
Front (L-R): Lou Robin, Johnny Cash manager and promoter for over 30 years; Karen Robin, wife of Lou Robin

“He was hard-headed and soft-hearted,” says John Mellencamp of the late legendary singer-songwriter Johnny Cash, in the upcoming CMT documentary Johnny Cash: American Rebel. The documentary will air Saturday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. CT, on the 12th anniversary of Cash’s death in 2003 at age 71. Indeed, the documentary aims to shed light on the numerous facets of Cash.

A private screening was held Thursday evening (Sept. 10) at Nashville venue Ruby. “It’s an in-depth study of the man through the eyes of those who knew him,” said Cash’s son, John Carter Cash, during the screening.

The documentary’s curious opening scene begins with home footage of Cash shooting at a crow. Upon seeing that he merely scored it, Cash allows the bird to nibble at his hand, before beginning to nurse the bird back to health. Other footage showcases Cash’s light-hearted sense of humor among family and friends. The scenes, a stark contrast to Cash’s somber onstage persona, are among many that highlight the at times mystifying yin and yang of the iconic Man in Black.

The documentary touches on the myriad of sides of Cash. The same singer that flipped off photographer Jim Marshall during a concert at San Quentin, went on to perform alongside preacher Billy Graham during Graham’s Crusades in the 1960s and 1970s. The documentary uses Cash’s hit songs, including “Hey, Porter” “I Walk The Line,” and “Folsom Prison Blues,” to chronicle the entertainer’s life from his days as a young boy in Dyess, Ark., to the rise and fall of his marriage to Vivian, to finding the love of his life in fellow singer-songwriter June Carter.

The two-hour special includes interviews with Cash’s children Rosanne and John Carter, as well as stepdaughter Carlene Carter. Willie Nelson, Mellencamp, Eric Church, Kid Rock, Kris Kristofferson, Merle Haggard and others offer their perspectives and/or memories of the Man in Black.

After the private screening, USA Today Senior Writer Brian Mansfield moderated a Q&A session with John Carter Cash, as well as Johnny Cash’s manager and promoter for 30+ years, Lou Robin.

Robin’s tenure as Cash’s manager included Cash’s career-making performance at San Quentin State Prison, where At San Quentin was recorded live on Feb. 24, 1969. “I said, ‘At least I know we won’t have to sell tickets,’” Robin quipped of booking the performance. The album went on to be nominated for several Grammy Awards, and went platinum several times over.

In 1969, he sold more records than the rest of the artists on the Columbia label combined. That same year, The Johnny Cash Show premiered, which aired on ABC from 1969-1971. Cash’s independent spirit and stubborn determination propelled him to advocate for featuring an array of artists, including Pete Seeger, Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, and more on his show.

The documentary doesn’t shy away from darker sides of Cash’s life, including his addiction to amphetamines, and the creative and professional drought he endured after being dropped from Columbia, and before teaming with Rick Rubin for the American Recordings series. The American Recording Series would spawn songs such as a cover of Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt,” which earned Cash a Best Short Form Music Video Grammy in 2003.

“It’s a great overview of the mystery, because it’s hard to fully define the man,” summed John Carter Cash.