Johnny Cash Statue To Be Erected In U.S. Capitol

Johnny Cash to Become First Professional Musician with a Statue in the U.S. Capitol

A New Honor for the Man in Black

A statue of the legendary musician Johnny Cash will soon stand tall in the U.S. Capitol, marking a historic milestone in his illustrious career. This remarkable honor will make Cash the first professional musician to be recognized with a statue in the National Statuary Hall Collection.

The Unveiling Ceremony

According to a statement from Congress dated July 31st, the statue will be unveiled in a special ceremony on September 24th at Emancipation Hall. The event will feature a morning ceremony, where Cash’s statue will join the prestigious National Statuary Hall Collection.

A Testament to Cash’s Legacy

The statue, crafted by Little Rock sculptor Kevin Kresse, will stand eight feet tall and depict Cash holding a Bible and a guitar. Kresse, in an interview with NPR’s Scott Simon, expressed his admiration for Cash’s music, stating, "I think the honesty of his work, the truth in his lyrics, and the simplicity and straightforward way of getting that message across just spoke to me as an artist as well."

A New Album and a New Legacy

Earlier this year, Cash’s posthumous album Songwriter was released via Mercury Nashville/UMe. The album features recordings from 1993, about a decade before his passing. Fans can now listen to the album on various music streaming platforms.

A Tribute to Arkansas

Cash’s statue represents Arkansas, where he was born in Dyess. This marks the state’s second statue in the National Statuary Hall Collection, with the other depicting civil rights activist Daisy Bates. In 2019, Arkansas passed a bill to replace existing statues of Sen. James P. Clark and lawyer Uriah Rose with new representations of Bates and Cash.

The Significance of the National Statuary Hall Collection

Each U.S. state has two statues allotted to it in the National Statuary Hall Collection, which is intended to celebrate notable figures from the state’s history. This collection is a testament to the country’s rich cultural heritage and the significant contributions of its citizens.

Conclusion

Johnny Cash’s upcoming statue in the U.S. Capitol is a well-deserved recognition of his impact on American music and culture. His legacy continues to inspire new generations of music lovers, and this honor will serve as a lasting tribute to his remarkable career.

FAQs

Q: When will Johnny Cash’s statue be unveiled?
A: The statue will be unveiled on September 24th at Emancipation Hall in the U.S. Capitol.

Q: Who will be sculpting the statue?
A: The statue will be crafted by Little Rock sculptor Kevin Kresse.

Q: What is the significance of the National Statuary Hall Collection?
A: The collection is intended to celebrate notable figures from each state’s history, with each state having two statues allotted to it.

Q: When was Johnny Cash’s posthumous album Songwriter released?
A: The album was released earlier this year via Mercury Nashville/UMe.

Q: Can I listen to Songwriter now?
A: Yes, fans can listen to the album on various music streaming platforms.