Johnny Cash: The Man in Black

In his almost 50-year career, the late Johnny Cash easily mastered the diverse genres of country music, rock, rockabilly, folk, and gospel, always managing to make the music uniquely his own. As this program illustrates, the "man in black" achieved all of this in spite of a troubled life that often threatened to derail his career. A son of the Depression-era South, Cash grew up in a hardworking family, experiencing tragedy early when his beloved older brother was killed in an industrial accident. Through his mother's influence, Cash nurtured a love of music and, after a 1950s Air Force stint, headed for Nashville, eventually landing a record deal at the legendary Sun Records studio, where he made the acquaintance of Elvis and other early rockabilly greats. After initial struggles Cash found success, but long weeks on the road and a combination of booze and pills strained his first marriage (June Carter, of the legendary Carter country music family, eventually became his second wife, and their story is related in the recent feature film Walk the Line). Cash's black garb, adopted because of his identification with life's outcasts and underdogs became as famous as his tumultuous, sometimes controversial prison concerts. In spite of career ups and downs, and occasional relapses into addiction, Cash led a busy touring schedule and had a prolific recording career. Unfortunately, there are no interviews with Cash, and no examples of Cash's music here (in fact Cash's distinct voice is not heard at all), making this no more than an adequate review of his life and career. DVD extras include a review of 1950s country stars. Optional. Aud: P. (S. Rees)