RISON – A significant artifact of Cleveland County history, intertwined with music lore, has made its way back to the county this week, and it will soon find a place of honor within the local courthouse.
This week’s episode of the Free Range Conversations podcast dives into the storied legacy of the music legend Johnny Cash, particularly focusing on the iconic suit he donned during his celebrated Bicentennial concert at the Rison High School football field in 1976.
The latest episode is available for streaming now on major platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and on clevelandcountyherald.com.
In the episode, Herald Publisher Britt Talent and co-host Douglas Boultinghouse engage in a lively discussion about Cash’s rich history with special guests, including one of his cousins, Wayne Cash, and Cleveland County Judge Jimmy Cummings.
Johnny Cash, who was born in Kingsland, always held Cleveland County close to his heart, a sentiment reflected in many of his heartfelt songs.
Judge Cummings, who was present at that memorable 1976 homecoming concert, reminisces fondly about the sight of Cash wearing the suit on stage and recalls its previous exhibition at the Courthouse, where it was proudly displayed for many years.
Returning the suit to the courthouse marks a significant homecoming, restoring it to what Judge Cummings deems its rightful place within the county’s proud heritage.
The suit will be showcased prominently in the center of the lobby, ensuring that it captures the attention of everyone entering through any of the courthouse’s three main doors.
Crafted by Ukrainian-American tailor and fashion designer Nudie Cohn, the suit has traveled extensively around the world, adding to its storied legacy.
“Just like the famous line from Johnny Cash’s song ‘I’ve Been Everywhere,’ my cousin Wayne humorously suggested that the suit itself could easily sing the words, ‘I’ve been everywhere, man!'”
Wayne Cash revealed that the suit was previously loaned to a regional arts museum in Pine Bluff before it found its way back to Cleveland County, where it was alternately displayed at the courthouse and Pioneer Village during the annual Crafts Festival.
At Pioneer Village, Talent and fellow relative Roy Phillips discovered the suit tucked away in the back of the historic McMurtrey House several years ago.
While the Cleveland County Historical Society was aware of the suit’s whereabouts, it had become somewhat of an “out of sight, out of mind” issue due to the Village being locked for several years prior to its renewal through the Kickstart Cleveland County Community Development Initiative.
With the Cleveland County Historical Society now overseeing the suit’s care, Wayne Cash successfully collaborated with Johnny Cash’s management team from Nashville to ensure its preservation.
Wayne himself took the initiative to transport the suit to Nashville, where it was featured in a special exhibition during a 2016 event at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, celebrating Johnny Cash’s legacy.
Cash received the prestigious honor of induction into the Hall of Fame back in 1992.
Following its stint in Cleveland, the suit returned to Nashville, where Wayne again took it upon himself to drive it back to Arkansas, this time to the location of the Johnny Cash Boyhood Home Museum in Dyess.
This iconic suit has remained in Dyess until making its much-anticipated return to Cleveland County this week.
A dedicated display case is currently being constructed and will soon be installed inside the Cleveland County Courthouse to showcase the suit.
Judge Cummings confirmed that the suit will be on public view during regular courthouse hours as well as during special events, allowing many to pay homage to the music legend.
An official installation date for the display case will be announced shortly, with Wayne Cash noting that several days will be needed to complete the process.
The return of the suit coincides with the recent unveiling of a statue in American Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C. that pays tribute to Johnny Cash.
During the podcast, Wayne Cash and Judge Cummings share their personal accounts of attending the ceremony, alongside city leaders like Rison Mayor Charles Roberts, Kingsland Mayor Sharon Crosby, and a host of Johnny Cash’s family members.
Wayne Cash has played an essential role in preserving the legacy of this music icon in Cleveland County, striving to establish a Johnny Cash Historical Marker tour throughout the region.
The tour begins at Johnny Cash’s birthplace in Kingsland, featuring markers equipped with QR codes that visitors can scan.
Once scanned, the QR code offers a narrated account of each site, read by none other than Johnny Cash’s daughter, Rosanne Cash, who is also an accomplished musician.
These codes guide tourists to other significant locations throughout the county, including the Kingsland Post Office, Cleveland County Courthouse, and the Rison High School football field where Johnny Cash electrified the crowd in 1976.
**Interview with Wayne Cash on the Return of Johnny Cash’s Iconic Suit to Cleveland County**
**Host:** Welcome to Free Range Conversations! Today, we’re thrilled to have Wayne Cash, cousin of the legendary Johnny Cash, joining us to discuss the recent return of Johnny Cash’s iconic suit to Cleveland County. Wayne, thank you for being here.
**Wayne Cash:** Thank you for having me! It’s great to be part of this wonderful moment for our community.
**Host:** The suit is not just a piece of clothing; it’s a significant artifact of music history. Can you share with us what this suit represents for you and the community?
**Wayne Cash:** Absolutely. The suit embodies not just Johnny’s legacy but also our roots in Cleveland County. When he wore that suit during the Bicentennial concert in 1976, it was a moment of pride for all of us. For many, it evokes memories of a time when Johnny shared his heart with us right here at home.
**Host:** It sounds like it holds a lot of sentimental value. Can you tell us about its journey before returning to the courthouse?
**Wayne Cash:** Certainly! It has quite an extensive history. After being showcased at various locations, it was loaned to a regional arts museum in Pine Bluff and later returned to Cleveland County. A few years ago, I discovered it in the back of McMurtrey House at Pioneer Village. It had been somewhat forgotten, which was unfortunate because its story is so rich.
**Host:** That’s fascinating! What kind of condition is the suit in, and how are you ensuring its preservation?
**Wayne Cash:** The suit is in remarkable shape for its age, thanks to the careful handling it has received over the years. The Cleveland County Historical Society is now in charge of its preservation, and I also collaborated with Johnny’s management in Nashville to ensure that techniques used are up to industry standards. We truly want to honor Johnny’s legacy.
**Host:** It must be special for you to see it returned to the courthouse, especially given the memories associated with it.
**Wayne Cash:** It’s incredibly special. Judge Cummings shared his fond recollections of that concert and seeing Johnny perform in that suit, which brought tears to my eyes. I’m so happy that it will have a permanent spot in the courthouse lobby, where it can inspire countless visitors.
**Host:** Do you think this will encourage more interest in Johnny Cash’s contribution to music and culture in the area?
**Wayne Cash:** I believe so. Every time someone sees that suit, they’re reminded of Johnny’s connection to our community. His music is timeless, and I hope it sparks conversations, interest, and maybe even inspires future generations to celebrate not just Johnny Cash but our local history, too.
**Host:** Thank you so much for sharing your insights, Wayne. It’s truly exciting to see such an important piece of history find its way back home.
**Wayne Cash:** Thank you! I appreciate the opportunity to share this story, and I hope everyone takes the time to visit the courthouse and experience this piece of history for themselves.
**Host:** That wraps up our interview for today. If you’d like to learn more about Johnny Cash and the suit, be sure to check out the latest episode of our podcast, available on major platforms. Thank you for tuning in!
