In the works: Johnny Cash museum
If you’re anything like John Cusack’s character in High Fidelity, then you’ve probably read Johnny Cash’s autobiography; CASH by Johnny Cash. If you have, then you’ve read all about the man in black’s difficult childhood in the rural town of Dyess, AR, about 50 miles NNW of Memphis.
Every year, Johnny Cash fans from around the world trek to Dyess in order pay tribute to the country music legend. Even though the town receives many visitors hoping to take in a bit of Cash history, the small town of 515 doesn’t offer much in the way of Johnny Cash landmarks or memorobilia. However, If things go to plan, Mayor Larry Sims hopes to open an $800,000 museum that would be devoted to Johnny Cash and the town of Dyess.
The museum’s only aim isn’t to simply pay tribute to the legendary musician. Dyess officials also hope that the museum could help resuscitate their dwindling economy. The town, which once boasted a population of over 2,500 in it’s hey day, now only supports one-fifth as many residents. By creating a Johnny Cash museum, Mayor Sims hopes that the project “would put Dyess back on the map. It would help everything.”
To date, the town has raised $90,000 to put towards the museum. Half of the money came from a grant and the other from Cash’s former manager, Gene Williams. There’s still a long way to go to make the project a reality, but I hope that the folks in Dyess can pull it off.
A Johnny Cash museum would be just one more cool thing Arkansas has to offer.
[via Arkansas Democrat Gazette]
Comments
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P-Dub
December 1, 2008
I never thought I’d want to plan a road trip to Dyess, but if this happens, I’ll start packing my bags.
Total Bastard
December 1, 2008
If this turns out half as cool as the Buddy Holly museum in Lubbock, Texas, it will be worth the trip over to the crap part of the state.
Duke McDingo
December 1, 2008
I’m so there! It’s about time too. I’ve made my pilgrimage to Dyess (pronounced “Dice” rather than “Dye – ess”) before. I was surprised there wasn’t any JC related stuff there.
I guess a guy has to be dead before he’s truly appreciated.
P.S. While you’re in Mississippi County, go to the Dixie Pig in Blytheville for the best BBQ sandwich in the solar system.
A J Henson
December 3, 2008
I grew up with J. R. Cash and was in the same class with him. We along with J. E. Huff hung out together. I hope that one day the Dyess/Johnny Cash Memorial will be completed. We thank Gene Williams for his generous contribution of $ 50000.00 to get us started with the purchase of the Dyess Colony Administration building.
Jerry Harris
January 9, 2009
I support your effort! I am a portrait artist who has done over 300 portraits of country music artist and legends. I have my work in 3 or 4 museums. I have done 103 for the Stage of Stars Legend Museum in Shreveport’s historic Municipal Auditorium, home of the Louisiana Hayride where Johnny Cash got his start like so many other legends. The reason I have done a world record of Country Music legends is because I want to do all I can to preserve the history. If you’d like a portrait of Johnny Cash like the one here in Shreveport for your museum with no charge and or an interesting poster of the legends who played the hayride let me know. All I ash is that you pay the shipping.
Jerry