statue

In mid September 2000, Johnny Cash, with daughter Cindy, was driving past a Nashville hotel when Cindy exclaimed, "Dad, stop! That's you!" There, on a flatbed trailer in the parking lot, were larger-than-life bronze statues of Johnny Cash, Hank Snow and Buck Owens. Johnny got out of his car and inspected his statue from the front, then the back and said it was the best likeness of himself that he had ever seen.

The Montana artist, Bill Rains said, " I knew that to Johnny , God, family and music are the three most important things in his life, so I explained to him that the long coat and the kerchief represent all the cowboy songs and the Western movies that he's made. I told him the guitar on his back is the way he comes on stage --he'll throw his guitar up and say 'Hello, I'm Johnny Cash." So, that represents his music. The Bible in his left hand represents God and family." Seeing the statue was an emotional experience for Johnny, Rains said. "He had tears in his eyes and shook my hand and hugged me and said he couldn't wait to tell June."

Johnny had approved the preliminary drawing for the sculpture in his likeness but had not seen the finished product until that Tuesday, the day before the unveiling. He did not attend the unveiling ceremony. Merle Kilgore, who had served as best man at their wedding, unveiled the statue. "Johnny has such a commanding presence. Whether he's fishing or whatever, he's commanding. He'll walk into a room and everybody will just turn around and look. That aspect of his personality has really been captured in this statue." (there's that coyote)

Rains told the crowd, "Nashville, this is your history. These three legends will forever be remembered for their music. They will be remembered for their impact on American culture. These monuments will help keep their memory alive long after we're all gone." The statues were moved to the Grand Ole' Opry complex for a year long display as part of the Opry's 75th anniversary celebration.

Follow up: The statue is now at the Shreveport Hall of Fame