JANUARY 13

On this date in 1968, Johnny Cash made two live performances at the Folsom State Prison in northern California and laid the tracks for his album: At Folsom Prison.  Cash opened every one of his concerts after that with the song "Folsom Prison Blues".

I always thought that Cash had served time in prison - maybe even in Folsom.  Not so.  He became familiar with that prison while serving in the Air Force Security Service.  He made his first live prison performance at Huntsville State Prison (Huntsville, Texas) in 1957 and it was good for his career.  Many of his more famous songs were related to prison life.  He hoped that the 'Folsom' performance would revitalize his current slump.

Later in 1968, he married June Carter, his second wife.  They died within four months of each other in 2003.
o.o