Johnny Cash And June Carter Sing 'Jackson' In 1967 TV Performance

Aug 22, 2020 by apost team

In 1967, on The Ralph Emery Early Morning Show, the Man in Black, Johnny Cash, and June Carter made an appearance to play their famous hit song, "Jackson." Many knew the couple, as Cash and Carter toured together, and it was a year before they joined in wedded bliss when they made the television show appearance.

Walter Ralph Emery hosted a show where many famous Nashville recording artists made their names big by going on his hit show. He also worked at the local radio stations as a disc jockey and worked at a cinema as an usher where he learned broadcasting techniques after attending an exclusive academy.

When he hosted his show with Johnny Cash and June Carter, they did a small skit before the performance. It led to the intro of "Jackson."

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Before she married Cash, June Carter was playing a typical wife's role in the skit as she was looking all over for Cash. Johnny was nowhere around, and Ralph Emery played along with the parody.

Together, this is how June Carter and Johnny Cash entertained the audience with a taste of humor. The humor quickly turned to amazement when the two stood at the mic and began to sing.

Cash with his deep vocals and Carter with her rasping voice made the song a hit, and the couple had to play it as their signature song together everywhere they performed. Many people are not aware it was the song "Jackson" that brought the two closer together.

According to biography.com, both had troublesome marriages and divorced their spouses to marry each other in 1968. The lyrics of the song seemed to fit both of their lifestyles, and living the song is what made fans react the way they did every time the two sang the song.

As the two performed the song, Cash was all over the stage, almost like a tiger ready to make his move. It was evident that the audience knew the two would end up together for the rest of their lives. The way Johnny Cash played his guitar was a signature move of his, and he played it well.

It was almost like a tease in his performance. June Carter was more conservative with her movements as she stood by the microphone and sang with a few subtle dance moves as she moved to the music. Her raspy voice made up for her standing in one place.

The song is about a couple arguing over leaving and going to Jackson, Mississippi. Cash sang the part saying he is ready to leave, Carter sang the part egging him on to leave. Later in the song, Carter is also talking about going to Jackson. She was talking about going there to wait for her man. As they are both singing, it seemed they were both trying to outdo each other in the song. It always added fuel to the flame and made the song powerful in the feeling.

There were two composers of the song: Billy Edd Wheeler and Jerry Leiber. Wheeler took off with the song, but the fame and fortune came from Johnny Cash and June Carter. Later, Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood recorded and performed the song, but nothing could top Cash and Carter's version.

One would always agree, it was the chemistry and the story of Cash and Carter that made the song famous. A true love story for the ages indeed. After hearing the song, it would leave an imprint on a person's mind. If you enjoyed the song "Jackson" and this story, make it known and leave your thoughts.