An annual event that is highly esteemed and much awaited, the Kennedy Center Honors appropriately recognizes and pays tribute to those gifted individuals who have devoted their life to the performing arts and have had a significant influence on American, if not global, culture.
The renowned singer/songwriter Johnny Cash was one of five individuals recognized on the star-studded gala night in 1996. We can’t imagine that anyone in the audience could have forgotten a single moment of that night, which was undoubtedly one of the greatest.
All artists hold a particular place in Cash’s heart (and vice versa, of course!). appeared one after the other on stage, paying tribute to the great man by performing some of his most well-known and impactful songs. The songs began with Cash’s close buddy Kris Kristofferson’s admiration for Cash clearly visible on his face. And so it continued, flawless performance after performance. (We believe you’ll concur!)
Alongside visitors like the First Lady and then-President Bill Clinton, Cash was seated in the audience. The musical homages to the man who sat a few seats away from them clearly touched both of them.
His daughter, Rosanne Cash, was the final performance. She began by singing “I Walk The Line” and gave a heartfelt account of her father. Later, everyone participated in the well-known song “I’ll Fly Away.” We almost broke down when we witnessed her father crying while she had all the musicians perform a tune from her early years for him. We believe you may as well.
