On this day in 1968, country musician Johnny Cash recorded a live concert at Folsom Prison in California. Cash said: "You build on failure. You use it as a stepping stone. Close the door on the past. You don't try to forget the mistakes, but you don't dwell on it. You don't let it have any of your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space."
Cash wasn't exactly "inspired" to write "Folsom Prison Blues" as much as he was inspired to plagiarize the song "Crescent City Blues" by Gordon Jenkins. Cash was sued by Jenkins and was forced to pay $100K for copyright infringement. I don't mind biographical note shorthand, but I detest the shallow research that results in hagiographies.
Cash wasn't exactly "inspired" to write "Folsom Prison Blues" as much as he was inspired to plagiarize the song "Crescent City Blues" by Gordon Jenkins. Cash was sued by Jenkins and was forced to pay $100K for copyright infringement. I don't mind biographical note shorthand, but I detest the shallow research that results in hagiographies.
thanks for the info. now i am going to have to find a copy of crescent city blues.
and i never knew what hagiography meant so that is something. really.
I have always wondered who caught the fact that if you killed a man in Reno you would be in jail in Nevada, not in Folsom which is in California.
Throughly enjoyed Johnny Cash music over the years. Sad that I have not taken time to listen to anything lately.