Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash (1932–2003) was an American singer-songwriter known for his work in country, rock and roll, rockabilly, blues, folk, and gospel music. Raised in a devout Christian household, he learned to play guitar to accompany his mother, who sang hymns in church. Throughout his career, Cash recorded multiple gospel albums, including *Hymns by Johnny Cash* (1959), *The Holy Land* (1969), and *The Gospel Road* (1973). Cash frequently performed at evangelistic crusades and maintained a long-standing friendship with Billy Graham. He often spoke openly about his faith, his struggles with addiction, and his belief in the power of redemption through Christ. In 1990, he recorded a reading of the entire New Testament of the Bible. Cash considered his 2004 album *My Mother's Hymn Book*, a collection of traditional spirituals and hymns, to be his favorite recording. The album, which includes songs such as "I Shall Not Be Moved" and "I'm Bound for the Promised Land," peaked at #9 on the Christian music album chart. In 2011, Cash was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.