Spark It Up!!!: Blogging- Man in Black

"Well, we're doin' mighty fine, I do suppose,
In our streak of lightnin' cars and fancy clothes,
But just so we're reminded of the ones who are held back,
Up front there ought 'a be a Man In Black." ( Man in Black, Johnny Cash,1971)

With the release of Walk the LineNov 18th we get to capture a glimpse of the life of Johnny Cash. Cash was born sharecroppers son in 1932. He died in 2003 at 71 years of age. He was an original outlaw. His career milestones include 11 grammy's, over 1500 songs and 500 albums. He was the youngest living inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock n Roll hall of fame also.
This movie tells the love story between Johnny and June Carter. June's family is not far from here in Hiltons, Va. The Carter Fold is still open today with shows most every weekend. You can learn more about that here.
Johnny's big change came in the 60's

"his grueling tour schedule (which was now up to 300 shows a year) had taken its toll. Cash became dependent on narcotics to keep up the hectic pace. By the mid-1960s, Cash was a wreck and it began to impact his career. By 1967, though, Cash managed to overcome his addiction with the help of his singing partner June Carter and her family. In 1968 he and Carter were married and his career experienced a renaissance. Throughout the remainder of the decade and into the 1970s Cash was at the top of his game. A pair of live recordings made at Folsom Prison and San Quentin both went gold and a passel of awards followed including the CMA's Entertainer of the Year and Male Vocalist awards in 1969. The final payoff though, was a network television spot. Premiering in 1969, The Johnny Cash Show aired over ABC. Taped at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium, the show featured an eclectic mix of guests ranging from Bob Dylan and Neil Young to Louis Armstrong and Merle Haggard. Through his selection of guests, Cash helped to bridge the generation gap and break down musical barriers. He also used the show as a forum to discuss and raise the country's collective consciousness about social issues of the day such as the plight of the Native Americans, prison reform, and the conflict in Vietnam." The show ceased production in 1971 but Cash continued to host numerous specials for several years.

The movie is good. It shows how love saved a man from self destruction. June died a few months before Johnny and that seems fitting to me. We lost a true American original. We will always have Johnny's words though. His lyrics will live forever. For sucess in a relationship, follow Johnny's advice

I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time.
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you're mine,
I walk the line

I find it very, very easy to be true
I find myself alone when each day is through
Yes, I'll admit I'm a fool for you
Because you're mine,
I walk the line

As sure as night is dark and day is light
I keep you on my mind both day and night
And happiness I've known proves that it's right
Because you're mine,
I walk the line

You've got a way to keep me on your side
You give me cause for love that I can't hide
For you I know I'd even try to turn the tide
Because you're mine,
I walk the line