Haggard was in the audience. To this day, Merle Haggard tips his hat to that man who wore black and who gave Merle his inspiration to turn his life around and follow his country music dreams.

"And, I wear it for the thousands who have died
Believen' that the lord was on their side
I wear it for another hundred thousand who have died
Believen' that we all were on their side."

Although friendly with many American presidents, beginning with Nixon, he didn't allow their politics to sway his purpose or his message to the people. In 1972 Cash was invited to perform at the White House. Nixon requested that he sing "Okie From Muskogee", a Merle Haggard anti-protest song and Guy Drake's "Welfare Cadillac" that attacked the integrity of those on welfare. Cash refused and instead, even during this politically volatile time, played pieces that leaned more to the left.

In 1980, despite failing record sales and his deteriorating relationship with the Nashville establishment, Johnny Cash was inducted into the Country Music Hall Of Fame. At age 48, he became its youngest living member. This prestigious award didn't help his relationship with his record label of thirty years, Columbia. Doing little to market his music, with the exception of two hit albums as a member of The Highway Men, comprised of Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson, Johnny's career was at a standstill.

In 1992, Cash was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame and by 1994; Johnny's recording career was revitalized when he released the acoustic album, "American Recordings". It was just Johnny and his guitar, singing the songs he always wanted to sing. This was followed by his last three successful and critically acclaimed albums, "Unchained", "American III: Solitary Man" and "American IV: The Man Comes Around"

"Well, there's things that never will be right I know
And things need changin' everywhere you go
But 'til we start to make a move to make a few things right
You'll never see me wear a suit of white."

Staying true to his purpose throughout his career, Johnny Cash remained a voice for the disenfranchised, the downtrodden and the poor. Called the "voice of truth" he never forgot his roots or those he left behind. In his song, "Man In Black", Johnny offered further insight into his character when he wrote the words:

"We're doing mighty fine I do suppose

In our streak of lightening cars and fancy clothes

But just so we're reminded of the ones who are held back

Up front there ought to be a man in black."

On September 12, 2003, four short months after his wife, June Carter Cash, passed away, Johnny Cash, died from complications of diabetes. His five children surrounded him. "The Man In Black" had gone home and I, for one, like to think of him standing up there in a suit of white.

Lyrics by Johnny Cash - 1971 - "Man In Black"

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