Johnny Cash: The Redemption of an American Icon focuses on the singer's faith.,,,
A new film charting the amazing story of Johnny Cash majors on his deep Christian faith which, says his son, repeatedly saved the country music legend’s life.
The ‘Ring of Fire’ and ‘I Walk the Line’ singer, with more than 13 country number ones in the US alone, sold millions of records during an often troubled life eventually anchored in his love of Jesus.
His story is told like never before in the new documentary Johnny Cash: The Redemption of an American Icon, which, his son John Carter-Cash told The Christian Post, is open about his beliefs.
“If it hadn’t been for his faith, there was a number of times that I know he would have died,” said Carter-Cash.
“His faith was what was important to him, and it’s the truth. I think some other filmmakers may feel it distracts from the story or turns people off, but my dad was never one to let that stop him from professing what he believed in.”
The documentary is also credited with being brutally honest about the singer’s amphetamine addiction, unfaithfulness, divorce and depression.
Cash, who died in 2003, gave his life to God in 1967 and later performed at many crusades when he toured with the renowned evangelist Billy Graham.
The singer once declared himself “the biggest sinner of them all”, proclaiming he was saved by the grace of God alone. He was eventually ordained as a minister and officiated at his daughter’s wedding.
Cash recorded several gospel albums, but his enthusiasm to share his faith cost him during his career when ABC cancelled his weekly US TV show in 1971 over his religious references.
“He didn’t care if he got cancelled; he stood up for what he believed. It was his nature,” John Carter-Cash told The Christian Post. “And, I mean, what did he have to lose? He’d already hit rock bottom. He knew he had a lot to give back.”
Carter-Cash said it was important for him to reveal the marriage, music and Messiah so vital to his father’s life, and the film, which came out in December for a three-day run, was a “continuance of this mission”.
From New Life Newspaper issue 339
