Johnny Cash Bronze Statue Set for U.S. Capitol Debut

A bronze statue of Johnny Cash, the iconic "Man in Black," is set to be unveiled at the U.S. Capitol, marking a significant honor for the legendary musician and his home state of Arkansas. The unveiling ceremony, scheduled for Tuesday, will be attended by congressional leaders, Arkansas lawmakers, and members of the Cash family.

Speaker Mike Johnson and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries will join Arkansas' congressional delegation, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, and Cash's relatives for this momentous occasion. The statue depicts Cash with a guitar slung across his back and a Bible in hand, capturing the essence of his musical and spiritual legacy.

This new addition to the Capitol's National Statuary Hall Collection is part of Arkansas' initiative to update its representation. Earlier this year, a statue of civil rights leader Daisy Bates was unveiled, commemorating her role in mentoring the nine Black students who desegregated Little Rock Central High School in 1957.

The decision to replace Arkansas' previous statues, which featured lesser-known 18th and 19th-century figures, was made by the state legislature in 2019. The selection process considered various notable Arkansans, including Walmart founder Sam Walton and a Navy SEAL who lost his life in Afghanistan.

Johnny Cash, born in Kingsland, Arkansas, on February 26, 1932, left an indelible mark on the music industry. Throughout his career, he sold over 90 million records worldwide, spanning genres such as country, rock, blues, folk, and gospel. Cash's versatility and impact earned him the rare distinction of being inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

"I wear the black for the poor and the beaten down, livin' in the hopeless, hungry side of town."

Cash's influence extended beyond music. He was an advocate for Native American rights, recording an album about their struggles. His deep, distinctive bass-baritone voice and signature all-black stage outfits made him instantly recognizable. Cash's career spanned decades, with his final album, "American IV: The Man Comes Around," released in 2002, just a year before his passing at age 71.

The statue, created by Little Rock sculptor Kevin Kresse, joins other musical figures from Arkansas that Kresse has immortalized, including Al Green, Glen Campbell, and Levon Helm. It will be the newest addition to the Capitol since the unveiling of Reverend Billy Graham's statue in May.

As the U.S. Capitol prepares to welcome this tribute to Johnny Cash, it's a reminder of his enduring legacy and the diverse cultural contributions that shape America's history. From his humble beginnings in Kingsland to performing at the White House for several presidents, Cash's journey embodies the American dream and the power of music to transcend boundaries.