With “The Man in Black” for a brother, 28 albums already released and dramatic seasons of life that caused her to turn to Christ, Joanne Cash has some stories to tell.
Cash, the younger sister of music legend Johnny Cash, grew up on a cotton farm in Dyess, Ark., in the 1930s and 1940s. But the farm wasn’t just the place she lived; it was also the place she worked, along with every other member of her family.
“Every day, we were out working in the fields. … I used to pray for rain as a child so we wouldn’t have to go out to work,” Cash said with a laugh.
While working hard for a living was a lesson she learned early, she also learned to sing.
“I can’t remember a time when there wasn’t music in our home,” Cash said.
Her parents always had their children in church. However, she never accepted Christ as her personal Savior as a child.
After high school, Cash married and had three children. When her marriage started to fall apart, she turned to alcohol and drugs. Her addiction left her knocking on death’s door twice in the emergency room.
“I went down the wrong road for a very long time. I was trying to cover up the pain of life and was searching for peace,” Cash said.
After her marriage ended in divorce, she didn’t know where to turn. A friend and co-worker, Dottie Snow, repeatedly invited Cash to go to church with her. With each invitation, Cash could only do one thing: run.
“I was afraid the Lord wouldn’t accept me and all my mess,” she said.
One Sunday in 1970, Cash decided she had to do something different. She drove to church and forced herself to walk through the front doors.
After listening to the sermon, even with her doubts, Cash stood to walk forward to the altar.
“He did forgive me of all my sins (and) came into my heart, and for the first time in my life, I had total peace,” she said. Her life changed, along with her motivation to sing.
“My heart’s desire and hope is that whatever I sing will touch someone’s life and encourage them to trust in the Lord,” Cash said.
She even got a second chance at love and another ministry outlet. Cash met and fell in love with Harry Yates. They married in December 1971 and started Nashville Cowboy Church in 1990. The church began with only six members, but now around 400 members gather every Sunday at 10 a.m. in the Texas Troubadour Theatre for worship.
In March, Cash plans to record in Florence, but she won’t be producing a typical CD. She’ll be reading through the Book of Proverbs during her first Alabama recording session.
Singer and songwriter Lenny LeBlanc recently decided to record other artists at his studio and was looking for someone for this project.
“I had always been a fan of Johnny’s music, and when I heard about Joanne’s singing, I thought it would be great. With her name, experience and things she’s involved in, I figured it would make such an impact on people to hear her read the Word of God,” LeBlanc said.
Cash will be the first outside artist to record at his studio. “Proverbs in Faith: Joanne Cash” is scheduled for release this fall.
Though in her mid-70s, Cash does not plan to slow down.
“You know, Johnny once told me, ‘I want you to promise me that you’ll record as long as you can, with all your heart.’ So I’m not gonna stop,” she said.
For more information, visit www.joannecash.com.
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