httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5Ts4M3irWM
Here are some live videos of Johnny Cash when he performed at Folsom Prison – and also singing with June Carter. I watched the film “Walk the Line” last night so I’m in a Johnny Cash mood.
Many years ago I produced over a dozen songs for an inmate in California (he has a famous relative with the same name so I won’t post his name). He couldn’t send me recordings – so he would use his telephone calls to sing me his songs with his guitar – then would send me the lyrics by mail. We did this for several years working on his songs. Of course, one of his favorite recordings was Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison.
The sad part was that when my studio client went into prison – straight ahead country singers could still make a living playing clubs in So. Cali. But by the time he got out the scene had changed so much (ala Garth Brooks and more Vegas style performances) that he found he couldn’t perform for a living.
I have heard rumors (pretty good ones) that sometimes there are so many musicians and producers in jail at the same location, that they set up quasi recording studios to work on material for when they get out.
For several years I played keyboards for Freddy Fender – and he had also done time down in San Quentin. Freddy got caught with marijuana and did a couple years. For the same amount and offense today in California he would have received a ticket. So musicians and jail time? Hey, we all make mistakes.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7zSstHWRAs
Johnny Cash and June Carter live in 1994
httpc://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2pIIbfRRuM
Johnny Cash and June Carter 1967
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8Efm-RxOC8
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2iv_E-Fn9E