Johnny Cash, the legendary American country musician who died in 2003, will have his childhood home in Arkansas turned into a museum, reports CMT.com. Johnny Cash's depression-era farm home was recently purchased by Arkansas State University and funds provided by the Johnny Cash Music Festival will help towards restoring the historical residence.
Cash, one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, lived in the home throughout his childhood and until his high school graduation in 1950. The 'Johnny Cash Musical Festival' is scheduled for 4th August 2011 and will feature performances from Cash's daughter Rosanne Cash and his son JOHN CARTER CASH. Dr RUTH HAWKINS, director of the Arkansas Heritage Sites, said, "The Johnny Cash Music Festival will not be just a concert, but an opportunity to preserve the legacy of an internationally recognized legend. We are proud that Johnny Cash is from Arkansas and that growing up here had an impact on his music". Nicknamed 'The Man in Black', Cash is best known for his hits 'I Walk the Line', 'Folsom Prison Blues' and 'Ring of Fire'.
Johnny Cash was portrayed by the Hollywood actor Joaquin Phoenix in the ACADEMY AWARD winning biopic 'Walk the Line' in 2005. Reese Witherspoon played the musician's wife JUNE CASH.