Country Singer, Musician, Actor and Entertainer. Legendary Country Music singer and songwriter who was known as "The Man in Black" for his trademark wearing of all-black clothing. Contrary to his songs and image, he never spent time in prison (except to visit). Most remembered for the songs "Ring of Fire," "Folsom Prison Blues," "A Boy Named Sue," and "I Walk the Line." Born in Kingsland, Arkansas, one of seven children, in 1951, he enlisted into the United States Air Force, was stationed in Germany, and was honorably discharged in 1954. He began his singing career in 1955, with the hit single "Hey, Porter" for Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee while working for radio station KWEM. In 1958, he changed to Columbia Records. In the mid-1960s, he became addicted to drugs, but with the help of singer June Carter of the legendary Carter Country Music Family, he was able to break the addiction, although he had relapses several times, including going through rehab at the Betty Ford Center in 1984. He was married twice, first to Vivian Liberto (1954 to 1966, divorced), with whom he had four daughters, then to June Carter (1968 to her death in May 2003), with whom he had a son, John. In 1961, he began to appear in movies, starting with "Door to Door Maniac" and also appeared on television, beginning in 1958, and made numerous guest appearances on various television shows. He was inducted into the Songwriters, the Country Music, and the Rock and Roll Halls of Fame, the first to be inducted into all three Halls of Fame. He died about four months after the death of his wife, June.
Country Singer, Musician, Actor and Entertainer. Legendary Country Music singer and songwriter who was known as "The Man in Black" for his trademark wearing of all-black clothing. Contrary to his songs and image, he never spent time in prison (except to visit). Most remembered for the songs "Ring of Fire," "Folsom Prison Blues," "A Boy Named Sue," and "I Walk the Line." Born in Kingsland, Arkansas, one of seven children, in 1951, he enlisted into the United States Air Force, was stationed in Germany, and was honorably discharged in 1954. He began his singing career in 1955, with the hit single "Hey, Porter" for Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee while working for radio station KWEM. In 1958, he changed to Columbia Records. In the mid-1960s, he became addicted to drugs, but with the help of singer June Carter of the legendary Carter Country Music Family, he was able to break the addiction, although he had relapses several times, including going through rehab at the Betty Ford Center in 1984. He was married twice, first to Vivian Liberto (1954 to 1966, divorced), with whom he had four daughters, then to June Carter (1968 to her death in May 2003), with whom he had a son, John. In 1961, he began to appear in movies, starting with "Door to Door Maniac" and also appeared on television, beginning in 1958, and made numerous guest appearances on various television shows. He was inducted into the Songwriters, the Country Music, and the Rock and Roll Halls of Fame, the first to be inducted into all three Halls of Fame. He died about four months after the death of his wife, June.
Bio by: Kit and Morgan Benson
Inscription
Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth,
and the meditation of my heart,
be acceptable in thy sight,
O Lord, my strength,
and my redeemer.
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