It was July of 2003, Johnny Cash had been having a longtime battle with diabetes and was diagnosed with Shy-Drager syndrome in 1997. Furthermore, two months earlier, his beloved wife June Carter Cash had passed in May. It was a distressing time for Cash as he experienced the death of a loved one and seemingly was facing his mortality at the same time. Though, given that Cash is a class act and devout performer, on July 5, 2003, Cash took the stage one final time.
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The performance entailed a legendary performance by a leathery Cash, and everyone in attendance knew it very well might be the last time he was ever on stage. Cash, who might have been thinking the same thing given his profound intuition, performed with the idea stuck in the back of his head. Per this feeling, Cash gave a haunting performance that left quite the staple on his life and career.
Cash’s Performance at The Carter Family Fold
The Carter Family Fold is an intimate venue with a mission to preserve bluegrass and old country music. Founded by The Carter Family in 1974, the venue has hosted many great talents. However, given the context surrounding Cash’s show, it seems it is most notable for this.
Greeting the crowd with the iconic, “Hello I’m Johnny Cash,” he would then sing all of his classics. “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Sunday Morning Come Down,” and “I Walk the Line” were just a few of the songs on the setlist. The point in the show where Cash wears his heart on his sleeve is when he acknowledges his late wife’s death.
Cash Stated, “The spirit of June Carter overshadows me tonight with the love she had for me and the love I have for her. We connect somewhere between here and heaven. She came down for a short visit, I guess, from heaven to visit with me tonight to give me courage and inspiration like she always has. She’s never been one for me, except courage and inspiration. I thank God for June Carter. I love her with all my heart.” A touching testament that surely made all in attendance contemplate the life and love of Johnny Cash.
Closing Tunes
Cash pivoted into the end of the show by saying, “I would like to do a song that she wrote that she was extremely proud of.” He then started to sing “Ring of Fire,” a song that is known for being about Carter and Cash’s early relationship. Lastly, Cash closed out the set with his song “Understand Your Man,” however, one of the other final songs was “Angel Band.”
A tragically magical night for both Cash and fans, as he and the others in attendance all knew the magnitude of the performance. It was a storybook ending to a storybook career.
Photo by Don Hunstein, Courtesy of Sony Music Archives
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