POV

Who was the young man?

Who was the young singer who played guitar and harmonica for Johnny, whom Johnny got an audition with Columbia Records?

Thanks!

by Douglas Dye
August 4, 2009, 10:53 PM

TOTALLY AWESOME!!!

by lee kennedy
August 4, 2009, 11:27 PM

The Man of Many Sounds

Johnny Cash,is the Last of a Dying Breed. A man who Never forgot where he came from and Never got TOO BIG for His Boots and just a Good Man, who will be Missed. But,will Live on for Many, Many Ages & Ages to Come.Johnny Cash is and will always be an "ICON" he had an Iconic Voice & He had lived what he Sang and Sang what he Lived. He is/was Johnny Cash. But, his Heart was as "PURE GOLD"!! So, for those of you who didn't or weren't Fortunate enough to grow up in the "60s & 70s Era". You Missed the time when people were "Honest & True" and had Good Ture Honest Morals. When, people who Deeply Cared for their Neighbors and Families. Where if you needed help? Not only were your Families there for you. But, your neighbors were always there to lend a helping hand with "NO CHARGE"!!

by BILL
August 4, 2009, 11:33 PM

A wonderful tribute to a great man.

by Greg Scheirer
August 4, 2009, 11:34 PM

this documentary was fantastic! I couldn't quit watching and felt like I was watching my own home videos. It hit home and was exactly how I know he was! Thank you!

by thomas
August 4, 2009, 11:36 PM

Not Joaquin

I really liked 'Walk the Line', but this film was far more fun. It characterizes the difference between glamorous Hollywood stars and the real thing so well, his face shots, June Carter's teeth even. This material is priceless. Very well organized and clean old footage, I absolutely loved it and I think the makers deserve an oscar!!

by Matthew
August 4, 2009, 11:40 PM

Johhny Cash...

This was the most awesome film I have ever seen of Johnny Cash! I loved it and was especially happy when my brother (who had let me know to turn channel to watch it) let me know there was another half an hour before it would end. I wanted it to just keep going.

Johnny Cash IS THE MAN, in black.

by andrew sherwood
August 4, 2009, 11:41 PM

The young man at the 2nd CMA

After a quick search, that talented Young man backstage is named Don Freed. Born in BC Canada. You can find him on Wikipedia under Don Freed. Not to be mistaken with the American Playwright Donald Freed.

by Pierre
August 4, 2009, 11:44 PM

Johnny - the Man

Very good - from the delta of Arkansas and throughout our great nation Johnny is the American Icon.

Dana
Houston, Texas

by Dana Mattiza
August 4, 2009, 11:50 PM

This film was a great piece of work. It captured Johnny as the artist, the everyday family man and the friend of the people he grew up with.

I grew up watching him perform on the Grand Ole Opra, the Porter Wagner show and other venues as he was a favorite of my Grandfather's. Ever since then, I always listen when they play his songs on the radio and show anything about him on TV, because it brings back those great memories of yesteryear.

I even have a CD of some of his greatest hits that I shared with my sons because they are classic.

My hats off to you on the documentary...Well Done!!

by Ritch
August 5, 2009, 12:21 AM

Love Johnny Cash

I grew up listening to Johnny Cash. I love his music. When I first met my husband, I had Johnny Cash playing in my truck, he was suprised that I was listening to him. I had to laugh & tell him I grew up listening to him. I'm glad that I got a chance to see him in concert at least once. He is one of the greatest artists that everyone likes/loves even if they are not country fans. Not many artists can top that title. Now our 10 year old daughter likes to listen to his music also. This was a great documentry, wonderful job. He is missed greatly. Thank you for the program.
Maria Knutson
Haines, AK

by Maria Knutson
August 5, 2009, 1:56 AM

What a hillbilly

The opening scene with Johnny Cash shooting a raven, then capturing it and attempting to charm it, was just wonderful. Same for the footage of him sincerely listening to Freed and others as they play for him, and for the scene after scene showing the respect he had for his elders. Cash was a genuine country boy through and through. While I love the American Recordings, this film is a needed correction to the modern revisionism casting Cash as a proto-punk pop culture misfit.

"...gravy without any bread."

by J Pilgrim
August 5, 2009, 2:02 PM

The one and only

An American original, there will never be another Johnny Cash. This documentary captures all the passion and humanity of the man as well as the awesome music that he created. However, what appealed to me the most about the piece is his interaction with his beloved June. I consider theirs to be one of the great love stories in American History, and when June passed you just knew that Johnny was soon to follow. The world was a better place with the presence of these two icons.

by dave crawford
August 5, 2009, 4:14 PM

Fantastic! I only wish we could have seen more of the Carter Family in performance. It was great story of good Old JC and his roots.

by George Martin
August 5, 2009, 4:22 PM

A COUNTRY LEGEND

I was raised listening to Johnny, watched several TV shows, movies, read books about him but never have I seen anything that showed the "real Johnny Cash" like this. It was real, not "Hollywood". Mr. Elfstrom should win a Oscar for this, it was amazing!

by Nancy Crawford
August 5, 2009, 8:31 PM

Fantastic. He was so real! I enjoyed hearing songs I never heard before of Johnny Cash.

by Bernadette Siebert
August 5, 2009, 9:04 PM

Just WOW

This documentaty touched, moved and inspired me. I didn't want it to end. Johnny Cash captured the human spirit of highs and lows and expressed it beautifully for each of us and yet left me so connected to all human experiences. He helped to bring us all together.

by dan
August 5, 2009, 9:15 PM

A genuine love and appreciation

Watching these candid and touching moments of Johnny Cash's life took me back to the little girl I was when my parents would have family gatherings in our small Norwood living room. Dad would say, "Shhhhh...you've gotta hear this one.." We'd all listen, knowing we had heard it a million times before. I played the good ol' air guitar while standing by my dad's knee. I remember the smell of old spice, my dad's zip-up black leather boots, slicked back hair and his sideburns. Just hearing that deep voice and seeing the swaying of his head or the way Johnny looked at June takes me back to a time that no one can ever replace.
I loved Johnny Cash so much then....I grew to love him even more as the years went by. He is the heart and soul of the small General Motor town that holds my most intimate memories. If I could have an hour with any one in the world, past or present, I believe it would be The Man in Black. Incredible show...

by Tammy Mansfield
August 5, 2009, 10:00 PM

johnny and june . ..

absolutely wonderful!

by Brenda
August 5, 2009, 10:35 PM

I grew up with J. Cash in the 50s when he had several cross-over hits. He was then, and still today one of my favorite performers. I was so glad to see the film about his life.

by D. Dowler
August 5, 2009, 10:41 PM

Mesmerizing! Have to admit I found this wonderful documentary at the beginning, just channel surfing. I immediately hit "record" and watched it in its entirety. I've always been a fan since I first saw John at Anderson, Indiana in the early 60's. This showed a personal side to the man. Great!

by Jan Taylor
August 5, 2009, 10:42 PM

Wow! And Freed/Dylan Connection?

Fantastic film! I found it by accident but it was unfortunately already 30 minutes into it. I love Johnny Cash's talent and humanity. The prison concert was heart-wrenching. Kudos to the filmmaker for including the prisoner's reactions. So interesting to see how some looked to be defiantly trying not to enjoy themselves.

Thank you, Pierre, for identifying Don Freed. (I came to this site to find out who that was.) I'd never heard of him before. It would be a stretch physically, but I kept wondering if maybe it was Dylan. It seems to me like Freed may have been an inspiration to Dylan; the songs Freed played backstage - his poetry, style, harmonica, nasal voice - sound an awful lot like later Dylan songs. "Go away from my window, leave at your own chosen speed...", for instance, kept coming to mind.

by June Czerwinski
August 6, 2009, 12:21 AM

Wonderful Documentary

I didn't even know that this documentary existed but thanks goodness for late night channel surfing and PBS. You get a sense that John was genuinely a good man even after he became a superstar. What other artist will perform for strangers who knock on their hotel room door late at night? Or go back home to visit with his old neighbors? Or sign autographs and pose for pictures with fans after performances? Nobody. No artist today does those things. John really seems to epitomize the American spirit; just a simple man from a hardscrabble background who sings about what he knows but never forgets where he came from. I don't think there was a family in my little Illinois hometown who didn't own at least one Johnny Cash album, including people who normally didn't listen to country music. We'll never see the likes of him again and I'm so sad that he's gone but I'm also glad I happened across this terrific documentary that captured John and June in their absolute heyday. Thank you, Mister Elfstrom.

by Joe
August 6, 2009, 2:18 AM

A Great Show

After watching this very touching film I read the other comments sent in and all I can say is "all the above". The film really show the man as he was. I remember him from the 50's and did see him and June in Las Vegas- wow what a fun show. The scene with the young man is something we can all relate to- who hasn't dreamed of being there.
I enjoyed this greatly. I can't believe it goes back to 1969 and has not been played before.
More like this PBS- Please.
Thanks for the gift.

by Al Martin
August 6, 2009, 2:58 AM

Johnny Cash

I loved the film and wish that i could own it.Very rarely is there an artist that crosses cultural and musical boundaries in the way that johnny Cash did.the film and artist are truly American and made me proud to have been alive and feel united rather than divided.

by Christopher Ruland
August 6, 2009, 11:01 AM

Johnny Cash

I thoroughly enjoyed the film. Johnny Cash is a true American icon like no other. I felt honored to be shown those private moments of his life. I am glad they were captured on film and saved for us to see. Thank you PBS for such a fantastic film. I loved every second of it!

by Andrea
August 6, 2009, 2:47 PM

Johnny Cash: The man, his world, his music

I was deeply moved by the last few minutes of the film during the concert at the penitentiary. (Does anyone know which prison was this was?) The juxtaposition between the men coming to the concert in the cold, grey weather and their delight during the concert caused me to consider that for many of these men Johnny and June's music may have been the first glimmer of happiness they'd experienced in a long, long time. May God bless Johnny, June, his friends and family and the producers for reaching out in this way.

by Rev. Eric Muirhead
August 6, 2009, 5:23 PM

For Douglas Dye...

The young man was Bob Dylan! Cool, huh?

by Christie Z
August 6, 2009, 11:01 PM

What A Treasure

Wow, this was an amazing film. I was mesmerized by the intimate feelings it conjured up, unlike many documentaries Mr. Elfstrom did an amazing job of not doing too much with the camera and most of the film seemed as if there was no camera, like I was there in the flesh just watching. I, being born in 1982 have never been a country music fan at all,nor did I grow up with Johnny but I have always really enjoyed his music- especially those slower folk sounding songs, with his wonderfully soulful voice- I just listen to his words, close my eyes, and somehow I begin not only to hear the song, but I feel the song, and see it too. I was born much later than he but in many ways I shared the same childhood, just a poor small town country boy and because of that I am able to connect with the words and emotions of his music. Johnny truly was a groundbreaking musician, and his music still serves as inspiration for many people. Johnny Cash is the only country music singer that is just as relevant to me as he was to my grandparents,....amazing!

by James Smith
August 7, 2009, 1:25 PM

What a show!

I stumbled into this show part way through but it was fantastic. I've been a Johnny Cash fan since I first heard him on my Dad's car radio around 1955. No film I've seen has captured him like this. Around 1970 I was walking through the Ohio State Fair after a boxing match was captured because of a cloudburst. Johnny Cash was playing at an outdoor venue and only the stage and grandstand were covered. Everyone sitting on the track close to the stage had moved back to the grandstand so no one was within 75 feet of the stage. Since I was soaked anyway I just leaned on the stage for the rest of his show and had a personal concert from Johnny Cash from four feet away. It was one of the most incredible shows I've ever seen and I've sure never forgotten it.

by Rube Wrightsman
August 8, 2009, 10:52 PM

i love Johnny Cash he is one of the best artists ever . he may bo on the other side but his music lives forever and he will always be my favorit .

by Brett
August 9, 2009, 11:04 PM

Johnny Cash

Absolute enjoyment for me, well done!

by Ken
August 10, 2009, 3:57 AM

AMERICA!

Why are those of use living in the so-called fly-over states having our lives run by the wall street bankers and new york city types? So many of our people end up in prison. Or gambling in all the new casinos.

J. Cash and beautiful, gutsy June and her Carter family. Keep them in mind. They are us, the Real America!

by cowboy
August 11, 2009, 3:16 PM

ms

I was mesmerized while watching Johnny Cash: The Man, His World, His Music"."Walk the Line" inspired me to become a hugh John Cash fan. The more I know about him, the happier I am. I would like to see more about his spiritual transformation, also, and the changes it brought to his life. Thank you so much...you made my night!
God Bless
Kathy Hays

by Kathy Hays
August 11, 2009, 6:29 PM

Fascinating

I've never seen this much wonderful, down-to-earth footage of Johnny Cash anywhere else. This production provided a whole new insight into Johnny's roots and family. In addition to the great music, it's sheer joy seeing Johnny and June enjoy each other. This show kept me up way past my bedtime, but was totally worth it. Thanks so much.

by Stephany
August 18, 2009, 9:12 AM

I stumbled onto the show by accident. This show was the best musical documentary I've ever seen. Thanks you PBS. Jim

by Jim
August 20, 2009, 12:36 AM

The Best!

The best music documentary that I have ever seen...It captures the essence of Johnny Cash and his truly prophetic music...What a talent ...I am so blessed to have accidently stumbled on this film ...WOW...I urge all Cash fans to see it...I urge all social justice paople to see this film...

by Jack McHale
August 25, 2009, 11:46 PM

Please show it again!!! Johnny Cash: The Man, His World, His Music. We got to see the last 15 min of it.

by Tammie
August 26, 2009, 4:54 PM

Thankful

I am thankful for Johnny Cash and his music. I am 35, and a singer myself, and can say without a doubt that Mr. Cash is a huge influence of mine. Listening to him is always a pleasure.

Thanks to Johnny for his heart and soul and thanks for sharing it with the world. God bless, darlin. Valerie

by Valerie from Vancouver, BC, Canada
September 6, 2009, 12:45 AM

SUPERB

This was one of the most enjoyable shows we have seen for a long time.Johnny Cash was a great man in his own right and did much for the country music industry. Keep up the good work PBS by bringing us these features.

by Maureen from Edmonton, Alberta,Canada
September 6, 2009, 1:44 AM

Johnny Cash was a true American Poet. The" Man in Black."
fought for the underdog because he was once an underdog. He never sold out. Johnny was a rebel and his cause was justice for everyone. His songs echo in
all who want freedom and justice for all. Johnny had class. One day we will have freedom and justice. I know Johnny and June are in heaven. We have to pick up the mantle that Johnny and June has left us and continue the causes that Johnny fought for. What a wonderful soul Johnny was.

by Tim McCormick from Northville, Michigan
September 6, 2009, 3:32 AM