JOHNNY CASH MUSEUM PRESENTED WITH JOHNNY CASH’S 1979 DEPUTY SHERIFF COMMISSION CARD BY DAVIDSON COUNTY SHERIFF HALL
Contact: Mark Logsdon
Phone: (615) 327-0100
Email: mark.logsdon@plamedia.com
JOHNNY CASH MUSEUM PRESENTED WITH JOHNNY CASH’S 1979 DEPUTY SHERIFF COMMISSION CARD BY DAVIDSON COUNTY SHERIFF HALL
Johnny Cash Museum Founder Bill Miller was presented by Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall with the recently discovered archive of the “Deputy Sheriff Commission Card” originally presented to Johnny Cash on September 12, 1979. Featuring Johnny’s photo, fingerprint and signature, the deputy sheriff card was issued to Johnny by then Davidson County Sheriff Fate Thomas.
“We know that the most impactful, influential legend in this country as it relates to the criminal justice system is Johnny Cash,” says Sheriff Daron Hall. “Johnny Cash’s interest in criminal justice is well documented, including the Folsom or San Quentin visits that were highly publicized. What most people don’t know is that what he was saying was more important than what he was singing. He believed passionately in prison reform and criminal justice reform. You can imagine how excited we were when one of our photographers was stirring around in a box and found a photo of something that we want to present to Bill (Miller) and make sure it stays where it belongs in the museum. I would like to unveil what is his actual commission card. He was commissioned as a law enforcement deputy, in 1979. The irony is that it was September 12, exactly 24 years from the date when he would pass away. The actual card was given to Johnny Cash so he could go throughout the county to enforce the laws.”
“Let’s hear it for the sheriff and for law enforcement!” said Johnny Cash Museum Founder Bill Miller. “It’s an honor to have you here sir and we want to recognize you. Johnny respected the law and Johnny was one of the first performers and entertainers to go and sit with the President, then President Nixon, to talk about prison reform. Johnny Cash’s first prison show was in San Quentin and there was prisoner sitting in the front row that night who, until the day he died, credited Cash for that moment in time when he knew that there could be a different life out there. That man was Merle Haggard. Thank you for sharing this with us Sheriff.”
Johnny Cash’s Davidson County Deputy Sheriff Commission Card states the following: “By virtue of the power vested in me as Sheriff of Davidson County under the laws of Tennessee, I have this day deputized John R. Cash a Deputy Sheriff to execute any and all processes that may come into his hands and to maintain the peace and dignity of the State, and arrest any and all persons violating the Criminal laws of the State of Tennessee.” The artifact will become part of the collection at the Johnny Cash Museum.
1979 would prove to be a banner year for the Man-In-Black. He would record and release one of his many signature tunes “(Ghost) Riders in the Sky” and would attend a luncheon hosted by President Jimmy Carter at the White House. In addition, he would perform for the President on NBC’s “Country Stars of the 70s” at the Ford Theatre in Washington, D.C. In Music City, he would serve as the Grand Marshal of the Nashville Veterans Day Parade joined by his wife June Carter Cash and his father World War I veteran Ray Cash. In addition, October 18 was declared “Johnny Cash Day” in Tennessee to honor the day that Johnny Cash received a Humanitarian Award from the United Nations for his work with children.
About Johnny Cash Museum
Earning the AAA Gem rating, The Johnny Cash Museum experience has quickly spread around the globe with outlets like CNN, USA Today, Parade,The NY Times, The NY Post, Billboard, Vogue, Southern Living, ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Yahoo, Huffington Post, London’s NME, etc. all buzzing about the attraction. You never know who you will see at the museum as celebrities like Former VP and Nobel Prize winner Al Gore, former CMT Nashville cast members, Dancing With The Stars Val Chmerkovskiy, Weezer, The Oak Ridge Boys and American Pickers’ Mike Wolfe have all been spotted at the attraction. Located at 119 Third Avenue South between Demonbreun and Broadway, the Johnny Cash Museum is open every day from 9 AM to 7 PM CT. General admission is $19.95 with discounts for AAA, military, senior citizen and youth (6-15). Since opening its doors in April 2013, The Johnny Cash Museum has expanded twice adding a café and additional exhibition space. The latest wing of exhibits profile “Walk the Line,” The Carter Family and Cash Covers in addition to green screen technologies that enable fans to get a picture with Johnny Cash. The museum, which welcomed its one millionth visitor in December 2017, has received numerous accolades for their exhibitions and services:
- Top 10 Trending U.S. Attraction for Fall – TripAdvisor
- Top 25 Trending U.S. Attractions for Summer – TripAdvisor
- Top 5 Museums Dedicated to Pop-Rock Music (worldwide) – Marie Claire
- Top 3 Best Things to Do in Nashville – Orbitz
- Top 10 Best Attractions in Nashville- USA Today
- Gem Rating – AAA
- #1 Must Visit Museum for Music Lovers [Worldwide] – Conde Nast’sTraveler
- #1 Pitch Perfect Museum [Worldwide] – National Geographic
- 5 Nashville Must Sees – Forbes
- 7 Great American Vacation Spots (That Won’t Bust Your Budget) – Time
- 50 Reasons We’re Thankful to be Southern – Southern Living
- 22 Reasons You Should Visit Nashville – Huffington Post
- Top 10 Tennessee Spots for Music Lovers – Rolling Stone
- Best Culture Stop in Nashville – Money Magazine
To stay updated on the museum, visit the following:
Website: www.johnnycashmuseum.com
