Johnny Cash's Live Prison Albums

Ron Page · Post by **Ron Page** » 20 Jan 2004 9:01 am

I took the opportunity over the weekend to spin up some CD’s made from my old vinyls, including "Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison" and "Johnny Cash at San Quentin". No steel guitar, but I marveled at Cash's charisma and how he related to even the most hardcore criminals with his music. I really have to hand it to him. He made great music and a lot of it with a 3-piece band.

I always found it interesting that they included the song “San Quentin” twice in a row on that album.

May he rest in peace and know we're still loving his music.

------------------
HagFan

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 20 Jan 2004 9:09 am

Having played in a prison, ( NOT as an inmate) I can attest to that it is much like a USO audience. Unless they REALLY don't like you, you'll have a VERY appreciative audience. A GIRL in the band helps to be sure.

Johnny had a stroke of genius there as in many other areas.

EJL

Walter Stettner · Post by **Walter Stettner** » 20 Jan 2004 9:28 am

That's true!

I have played in prison four times, it is a very special atmosphere and the audience was very appreciative. These concerts will always be among my favorites!

Walter
www.austriansteelguitar.at.tf

------------------

Ron Page · Post by **Ron Page** » 20 Jan 2004 10:21 am

Haggard told of seeing Johnny's show --from the "inside"-- at San Quentin. He was struck by Cash's connection with the audience and that's part of what inspired Merle's (next) career.

It was another nice touch to include a song -- Graystone Chapel-- written by an inmate.

------------------
HagFan

Billy Wilson · Post by **Billy Wilson** » 20 Jan 2004 5:17 pm

If you play in a women's prison it helps to have guys in the band!!!!!!

Donna Dodd · Post by **Donna Dodd** » 20 Jan 2004 6:55 pm

If you play for a prison make sure they know you are a steeler - NOT a stealer. They might try to keep you for a permanent gig!
<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/7_1_52.gif' border=0></a>[This message was edited by Donna Dodd on 20 January 2004 at 07:58 PM.]

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 20 Jan 2004 11:59 pm

Well if the jokes are starting...
I played there in the band of a Lady who had "alternative romantic tastes".

Since we were allowed to "range free" on breaks in the big gymn, I got to talking with the guys. One of the big ( they were ALL big) guys asked me what it would take to "get next to a chick like that".

I told him putting on a dress would be a good start, and busted out laughing. Luckily he "got it"..

They told me that I'd "always have a home there" if nothing else worked out.

I thanked them.

And left..

EJL

Paul King · Post by **Paul King** » 21 Jan 2004 5:13 am

A few people from our church were able to go and play a gospel singing at a womens prison in Oklahoma. We were treated well and the women certainly appreciated us coming. I was nervous about going into a prison but a few minutes after arriving my fears were subsided. The women responded to the singing and music and certainly enjoyed it. The thing that surprised me was the fact that there were around 1000 women in the prison and only about 100 showed up.I would think if you could get out and go to anything like a singing I would want to go. We had a great time and out of all the places I have played, I enjoyed playing that prison service greatly. I would definitely go back and do another one if we could get in to play one.

Tony Harris · Post by **Tony Harris** » 21 Jan 2004 8:55 am

There's also a great live Johnny Cash CD put out fairly recently, recorded at Madison Square Garden, with Carl Perkins, the Statler Brothers and the Carter Family. This is pretty much the show I saw over here in England in the mid-sixties. Carl Perkins closed the first half of the show - probably with Blue Suede Shoes - and only half the audience came back after the interval - the others were rock n' rollers who'd only come to see Carl!

Ron Page · Post by **Ron Page** » 21 Jan 2004 11:16 am

When I was a youngster, in about 1970, my older brothers wanted to take me to a Johnny Cash concert but my step father, for no apparent reason, wouldn't let me go along. The prick!

Well, don't get mad, get even. Mom divorced the schmuck a short time later.

------------------
HagFan

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 21 Jan 2004 12:50 pm

I'm wondering if anybody actually wanted to see a Johnny Cash Concert enough that they robbed a gas station to get in....

EJL

Donna Dodd · Post by **Donna Dodd** » 21 Jan 2004 5:45 pm

When I was a youngster, in about 1970, my older brothers wanted to take me to a Johnny Cash concert but my step father, for no apparent reason, wouldn't let me go along.

WOULDN'T LET YOU GO?? Ron, that would be called Child Abuse here in the South!!! The first album I ever owned was Hymns by Johnny Cash given to me by my Daddy! [This message was edited by Donna Dodd on 22 January 2004 at 02:14 AM.]

Ron Page · Post by **Ron Page** » 22 Jan 2004 8:11 am

Donna,

I hadn't thought of it that way, but you'd think those Californians would have.

------------------
HagFan

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 26 Jan 2004 5:19 pm

I guess playing in prison does tend to give you a "captive audience", doesn't it? (LOL!)

All joking aside, most every band I've ever been in refuses to play "prison gigs".

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 26 Jan 2004 5:22 pm

Well My theory is that half the people in prison need to be lined up and shot. Half of them need to be let go completely.

I figured we played for the latter.

Never hurts to have friends.

EJ