That's funny, this will be a top comment soon. It's why mainly listen to college radio stations like WMPG. They've had good country music shows for years. A lot of older stuff but good music you'll never hear on other radio stations.
Every summer when we go to the beach in North Carolina, I always look forward to tuning into an FM station on the far left end of the dial. Lots of vintage country, acoustic blues and old timey gospel. The kids were amazed that I knew all these old songs, and irritated that they were forced to listen.
Rodney Crowell said in an interview why that's the case. A couple years before recording this after Country Radio totally ignored Cash when he did his first album with Rick Ruben, Ruben took out an ad with the iconic image of Cash giving the finger with a sarcastic message "thanking" country radio for their "support". Crowell stated after recording this, industry people told him it would be a smash hit that people would go nuts for, but they'll never play it because of the ad. Country Radio gladly snubbed himself and the greatest of all time because Ruben and Cash called them out for snubbing him before
I heard a story about June hearing this song, in demo form, and threatening to kick John's butt if he didn't approve of it, and lend his vocals and likeness to it. We should be thankful of June for doing that.
@@davidalexander828 you should hear Rodney tell the story of Johnny finding out he & rosanne had moved in together. he told her, get here. now. Rodney walks in drunk & cocky & mouths at Johnny who says, boy you're not important enough to be missed if you were gone.
@@timacosby Way I heard it was that a drunken Crowell informed him that he and Roseanne would be sharing a room after being summoned to the Cash home; that's when Johnny responded as you said.
@@timacosby And here was ( if memory serves ) Jamaica. He had to make an effort when he got summoned, and he drunkenly pronounced that he and Roseanne weren't settling for separate bedrooms
This song has probably the best bass licks I've ever heard. When he walks the bass up and down the neck in his solo, you can't tell me that isn't awesome.
Came looking for this video as soon as I saw the news that Michael Rhodes died today. One of the coolest bass players ever and he may be at his coolest in this video. RIP, bass man.
I’ve been a Johnny Cash fan since 1955 since I was 15 years old. Mr. Crowell, I pay you tribute and immense admiration for arranging such a marvelous dedication to the Man in Black.
If Rodney Crowell is not in the Country Music Hall of Fame, he certainly should be. Their integrity would be elevated when he does come on in. If he's not, shame on them. If he is then shame on me for not knowing it.
Crowell has written, produced and sung a masterpiece. His father in law is more than a legend, he's an American Icon whose memory will last forever. I Walk The Line may well be the most famous song out of Nashville. Enjoy ...
I love this song. I love the audacity of it and the authenticity of it. I, too, remember when I first heard Johnny Cash sing, 'I walk the line'. My jaw dropped. I'd never heard anything like it.
I read an interview with Rodney where he said he had re-writin those lines for Johnny to sing, but Cash did not take to it. He said " you've got a lot of nerve re-writing that song ! " Rodney said he was stunned. But Cash eventually got into it. Crowell, another Texas treasure
That's great. THANK YOU SO MUCH RODNEY ! LOVE THAT SONG TOO. I MISS YOU ON THE RADIO. EVERYTHING IS SO DIFFERENT NOW DAYS , REGARDING RADIO AND TECH , it isn't normal. Not like it was in the past decades.love to you and your family and the band members.
Great song. I play it and sing it in the guitar. As do most of JC’s songs. If someone were to ask me on my deathbed “name your favorite singer” it’d be Johnny Cash. And I’m a Mexican from Mexico City.
always loved johnny cash and even rodney,when i was 10 in 1973 I listentened to johnny cash i didnt always understand it untill later but my family always liked him too.not everyone but i did and still do.LONG LIVE MR.CASH yeah and you too Rodney
Just watched a Johnny Cash special on Ovation. Rodney was on it doing a commentary, this song is actually a true story that happened when he was around 5 yrs. old. Such a cool song and a story behind it.. Love Cash and Crowell both.
leave it to the "Diamond of the South" to make something better. I have been a big fan of his for over 30 years and you'd be surprised on how many number 1s he has written. From Lynard Skynard, Oak Ridge Boys, George Strait etc
I like the way Johnny Cash's performance of "Walk The Line" is incorporated into Rodney Crowell's performance. Good job to the video editor and good job to the band and of course Rodney Crowell.
Johnny Cash actually re-recorded his part for this song for Rodney Crowll altering the tempo and melody to match Crowll's song (it was later synced to one of Cash's old videos for this music videos). At the time he was married to Cash's daughter Roseanne and according to Crowll did not do it without protest. Fascinating story, I included a link in the primary comment section.
WOW i could listen to this all day real great music cause i am a country girl love it i wish Johnny was here now its so sad hes gone but his music lives on
I can't believe Rodney Crowell, he impresses me more each time I hear him. I used to just stumble across him. Now days I search for him. It's no wonder Emmylou keeps him hanging around him as long as she has.
And I bet Rodney never imagined on that fateful day that Johnny would be his father in law and grandpa to his kids one day. I was sorry when Rodney and Rose split up. I hope he's living better now. He's such a great songwriter
Never happened? From an NPR story when this song was released: At one point when Rodney Crowell was writing this song, he had all the verses finished and he had a melody for the chorus, but no words to go with it. When he realized that the words to the original song would fit his melody, he called Cash and asked him if he'd sing on the tune. "So when he showed up at the studio, we sat down and I started teaching him a new melody to words he had been singing for 40 years. And he went along with this for about--you know, for a short period of time. Then he kind of fixed me, you know, with a stare and said, `Son, you got a lot of nerve changing my melody.' And for the first time when he said that, with the kind of gravity only Johnny Cash could have, I kind of realized the audacity, you know, of I'd been basically been painting a moustache on the "Mona Lisa."
i bet one day some one will write first time i heard rodney crowell sing first time i heard johnny cash sing i walk the line great song about a great song
FYI, in 2007, the lead guitar player was awarded his PhD in astrophysics. Also, Michael Rhodes, the bass player on this video passed away on March 4, 2023
if u dont like jonny cash or i walk the line its your day but this is different what a song rodney crowell u done it now u have 2 keep this top stuff going 4 a long time can u do it this is the best i have heard
Isn't this just great! Makes me dance around and sing and in such a good mood! If you feel blue, listen to this and move to the beat! Thanks for the post and thank God for Johnny and Rodney!
