Till things are brighter, I’m the man in black

While it would have been terrific if Johnny Cash had been able to narrate an audiobook version of this autobiography, I was still able to hear his smoky baritone as I read this. Told in a straightforward style, he recounts some of the highs and lows in his life and in his long and storied career.

He is thoughtful and well-read and strongly influenced by his Christian faith. Each sections title is named after one of his homes, whether it be Cinnamon Hill in Jamaica, out on the road in his tour bus Unit One, the farm Bon Aqua near Nashville and June’s family home in Port Richey. He’s usually writing from one of those places and uses it as a jumping off point for the stories about the family, friends and musicians in his life as well has his battle with addiction. There is a harrowing account of his hospital stay while initially having surgery on his hand in 1983 which then led to his first stay at the Betty Ford Clinic. Also his view of the ordeal at Cinnamon Hill, a break in by three armed robbers demanding a million dollars or they would start killing hostages. It wasn’t all tragedy, though, as there were some great stories about the many artists he has worked with and how he continued to make music well into his fifth decade as a musician.

Just as valuable and entertaining  was a comprehensive discography at the end of the book.

 

https://youtu.be/o22eIJDtKho