1958 JOHNNY CASH Big River THE TENNESSEE TWO SUN RECORD recording - 78 RPM Record

Johnny Cash and The Tennessee Two – Big River
Johnny Cash, Luther Perkins and Marshall Grant
Recorded by Sun Record Co. Inc.
Written by Johnny Cash
78 RPM audio transfer from Bowness Arts' collection of vintage records.

Johnny Cash and The Tennessee Two – Ballad Of A Teenage Queen / Big River
Label: Quality – 1692 (Canada)
Format: Vinyl, 10", 78 RPM, Mono
Released: 1958
Genre: Folk, Country
Style: Country, Rockabilly
Other side of this record: Ballad Of A Teenage Queen
https://youtu.be/ls_JWNma7aQ

"Big River" was written and originally recorded by Johnny Cash. Sun Records released this song in 1958, where it stayed Billboard country music charts on the charts for 14 weeks, peaking at number four. The song tells the story of a lovesick man who follows a woman’s trail along the course of the Mississippi River - from St. Paul, Minnesota to New Orleans, Louisiana.

Song plot:
In St. Paul, Minnesota, a man's heart was captured by the enchanting voice of a woman with a mesmerizing southern drawl. Every time he heard her speak, it tore him up inside. However, fate dealt a cruel blow when he learned that she had returned downstream to Davenport, Iowa. Determined to find her, he embarked on a journey along the mighty Mississippi River, first arriving in St. Louis, Missouri where a freighter informed him, with a heavy heart, that she had come and gone. Undeterred, he followed the river's course and stumbled upon her trail in Memphis, Tennessee; but his hopes were again dashed when he discovered that she had merely walked up the block, leaving him behind. Her actions raised a few eyebrows, and she carried on her way alone. The following day, travelling the Mississippi River, he made a stop in Natchez, Mississippi (or Baton Rouge, Louisiana) only to find that there wasn't much to keep him there. The rain masked his tears as he bid farewell, unnoticed by anyone. Losing hope of ever reuniting with his beloved, he made a decision. He beseeched the steamboat to carry that woman down to New Orleans, Louisiana, acknowledging that she loved the river more than him. Convinced that the tears he shed for her would one day flood the Mississippi River, he made a solemn vow to sit by its banks until his last breath. His heartbroken determination fuelled his resolve, and he resigned himself to his fate, willing to spend the rest of his days in the embrace of the river that carried his lost love away.

Johnny Cash, whose birth name was J. R. Cash (later legally changed to John R. Cash), was a multifaceted American artist known as a singer-songwriter, actor, musician, and author. He was born on February 26, 1932, in Kingsland, Arkansas. Recognized for his signature all-black stage attire, Cash was often referred to as "The Man in Black." Throughout his career, he captivated audiences with his powerful performances and deeply influential music. Notably, he was married to fellow country singer June Carter, forming a dynamic musical and personal partnership. Cash's contributions to music were widely recognized and honoured. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1977, the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1980, and the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 as a performer. Cash died on September 12, 2003 in Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of 71. In 2010, his impact on gospel music was posthumously acknowledged with his induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

Note: The first 78 RPM record came into existence around 1894, and in 1912, the Gramophone Company established 78 rpm as their recording standard. The production of shellac records continued throughout the 78 rpm era, with "unbreakable" 78 rpm vinyl records being introduced in the 1940s. The popularity of the 33 1/3 rpm "Long Play" record, initially released in 1948, caused the 78 rpm record to become obsolete before the end of the 1950s. As these 78 rpm recordings are quite old, they may contain derogatory language and/or negative stereotypes. It is important to evaluate such recordings within their historical context and consider them as a reflection of the attitudes prevalent at the time. These recordings form an integral part of the historical record and do not represent the views of this poster, channel, or Bowness Arts.