The Recording Academy - National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences Inc.
10/11/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 10/11/2024 09:26
Johnny Cash Honored As First Musician With A Statue In U.S. Capitol’s Statuary Hall Collection
On September 24, 13-time GRAMMY winner Johnny Cashbecame the first musician to be commemorated with a statue in the U.S. Capitol's National Statuary Hall Collection, a notable tribute placing him among the ranks of America's most significant figures. Created to honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions to their state or country, the Statuary Hall Collection now includes Cash's likeness, recognizing the Arkansas native's profound cultural and musical influence.
Established in 1864, the Statuary Hall Collection in Washington, D.C., holds two statues from each state, showcasing a diverse range of historical figures, including Helen Keller, Martin Luther King Jr., and Reverend Billy Graham. Representing Arkansas, Cash is celebrated not only for his chart-topping hits like "Ring of Fire," "I Walk the Line," and "A Boy Named Sue," but also for his advocacy through music. His groundbreaking 1968 performance at Folsom Prison brought attention to marginalized communities and cemented his reputation as a voice for the downtrodden. Cash's songs, known for exploring themes of love, struggle, and social justice, continue to resonate today as symbols of compassion and resilience in American music and culture.
The imposing 11-foot-tall bronze statue, crafted by Little Rock-based artist Kevin Kresse, depicts Cash holding a Bible with his guitar slung over his back. On one side, the statue displays lyrics from "Man in Black," while the other side features a quote from Cash himself: "All your life you will be faced with a choice. You can choose love or hate. I choose love."
Cash's statue replaces that of Senator James Clark, a segregationist, as part of a movement initiated by former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson to reflect Arkansas's progress. Earlier this year, a statue of civil rights leader Daisy Bates was also unveiled, replacing a Confederate lawyer's statue.
"Whenever you look at who reflects Arkansas and who tells the story of Arkansas's progress, one should be in the civil rights era and that's Daisy Bates…And then, of course, the other one is Johnny Cash," said Governor Asa Hutchinson. "His songs come from the dirt of the flatland of Arkansas. It's a story about struggle and his progress in life and his fighting for the underdog."
During the unveiling, notable figures such as Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, and Cash's daughter and four-time GRAMMY winner Rosanne Cashdelivered remarks. Additional congressional leaders, state lawmakers, Recording Academy staff, and over 100 members of the Cash family attended the historical ceremony.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Rosanne expressed their pride, sharing, "I'm very careful not to put words in his mouth since his passing, but on this day, I can safely say that he would feel that of all the many honors and accolades he received in his lifetime, this is the ultimate."
The Recording Academy continues to champion artists like Johnny Cash, who use their platform to advocate for social justice and cultural progress. His statue stands as a reminder of the powerful role music plays in shaping American values and inspiring change.