"Walk The Line": Additions and Goofs Quiz

Answer: Trumpet

The song was written by June Carter and her cousin Merle Kilgore. It was first recorded by her sister Anita. Bear Family has reissued that version on CD. Johnny had a dream where he heard the song with Mexican trumpets. That instrument rarely appeared on country records.

This was 1963! But he got his producer Don Law to go along. However, his former Sun producer Jack Clement gets the credit for making it work. He wrote the riff for the two trumpet players. He also arranged the instruments and played guitar on the song.

It was well worth the effort. Clement later produced Cash again. This song was often Johnny's opening number in concert. Clips usually show two trumpet players with him. You really miss them in the movie. Harmonica was featured prominently in Johnny's version of "Orange Blossom Special". Studio ace Charlie McCoy played the harmonica, actually two, on the recording. Johnny learned how to play them. That way he didn't have to hire anyone!

Answer: Steel Guitar

All of Johnny's original band members were mechanics. He met them through his brother Roy. This player quit early in the Sun audition process. It was either due to stage fright, or family pressure. Would Johnny's sound have been changed for the better or worse had this member stayed? The Tennessee Two officially became The Tennessee Three after W.S. Holland joined on drums.

Answer: His dad

Ray Cash was in the audience. He was introduced at the end of the concert. You can hear it on the recording. Johnny wrote about him being there in his first autobiography, "Man in Black".

Answer: Folsom Prison Blues

He did the other songs, along with "Folsom Prison Blues", at his San Quentin concert. Both albums were huge sellers. Note: on the original releases profanities got bleeped. They are intact on the CD reissues. Is it just me? Or would you have rather they kept the bleeps?

Answer: Warren Smith

Smith had some success on both Sun and other labels, but he wasn't as well known as the others. When Shelby Singleton bought out the Sun catalogue in 1969, he didn't reissue Smith's Sun recordings. Bear Family and other labels have since issued those songs. Orbison and Presley also recorded for Sun. Cash had written "Get Rhythm" for Elvis.

But after Elvis moved to RCA, Sam Phillips wouldn't let him do the song. So Johnny cut it himself. Charlie Rich's material originally appeared on the sister label, Phillips International. Cash recorded some of his songs, such as "Ways of A Woman in Love".

Answer: Belshazzar

As noted in the film, he first auditioned as a Gospel singer. Sam Phillips couldn't sell Gospel. This was a major reason Cash later went to Columbia. During his time at Sun, Cash only recorded two Gospel songs. One was this original song based on "Daniel, Chapter 5".

He also did "I Was There When It Happened", which we heard in the movie. He recut both songs for other labels years later.

Answer: Statler Brothers

This Virginia based quartet were a major part of Cash's road show. They worked with him for eight years. They also appeared on his recordings. He got them a contract with Columbia. Their first hit, "Flowers on the Wall", was recorded during his lunch hour. But their recording career didn't really take off until they moved to Mercury. Soon afterwards, they went on their own. It was a mutual decision.
The Oak Ridge Boys worked with Johnny Cash some during their Gospel days. The other two groups were regulars on numerous Nashville sessions. June's family were also on the show.

Answer: Carl Perkins

Perkins was greatly respected as a singer, songwriter, and guitar player, but his recording career was less successful than some of the others. Personal problems also led to him joining The Johnny Cash Show. They were close as brothers. Cash recorded Perkins'composition, "Daddy Sang Bass".

Answer: Scar

The scar was from his Air Force days. A doctor was trying to remove a cyst. Unfortunately, he was drunk at the time. Mr. Phoenix did a great job. But why couldn't makeup have added the scar?

Answer: His wife was black.

Johnny Cash was arrested seven times. This gave him credibility with the prisoners. Each was an one night stand. The first was for public drunkenness. Most were after he was found drunk and high. He got put in with the other drunks to sleep it off.

He credited his last arrest, and the sheriff, with helping him get straight. This 1965 arrest was his sixth. He had crossed the border to get some pills. The cab driver he used got them from a heroin dealer. This got the police's attention. Since he'd still gotten the pills illegally, they had to book him.

He and Vivian were estranged at the time, but she still accompanied him to the sentencing hearing. A picture taken at the time made her appear to be African American. She was actually of Mediterrean descent.

This attack outraged Cash. It was partially because it involved his children. A KKK group had printed handbills. There was a lawsuit. This mess supposedly led him to June's arms. Note: he had a very good record on race relations.