Smokey Maverick

On what would have been your 77th birthday – Happy Birthday JR Cash.

I was introduced to you, like so many others in my generation, by your chilling rendition of Hurt back in my college years (and not via this). I still hold that music video as the most powerful, musically emotionally saturated 4:02 anyone can experience. Trent Reznor was honored by the cover, as well as your comments that it is the most accurate depiction of addiction that you’ve ever heard.

As I delved into your past works and life, my appreciation and respect for what you did and who you were, grew like a rumbling train approaching from afar. In conversations with others who don’t know of you, I have a hard time placing you in a neat, clean “bucket” – which is admirable. I usually have to go with ‘country music legend’, but then I am quick to mention you laid much of the foundation for rock (guitar riffs in Folsom Prison! among other songs), with some even bestowing you the birth place of punk.

All musical accolades and new frontiers paved aside, your brazen attitude, captivates me the most. Regardless if it is shown in popular form, when you took June’s sister’s song Ring of Fire, and were criticized at the time for brilliantly adding horns to it, or when you were quickly dismissed by the public and music critics as you worked to bring light to issues you felt passionate about – you’ve always done things your way. As you grew in life, you battled with your own demons, and learned much from them – and proudly wore all of these battle scars.

In addition to this unique attitude, you added an extraordinary amount of compassion – which on the surface seems counter-intuitive. Perhaps it stemmed from your love of the Gospel that your mother instilled upon you. Regardless of it’s source, I strive to battle back my own complacency when it comes to my fellow man, as I believe you did as well, all while never forgetting who you are as a person.

So in honor of you today, JR, I’m trying to carry a little darkness on my back:

Tags:   Is there a genre for transcendental music? · JR Cash · Rocking Rock3 Comments