 |
 |
Sleeve Notes
For years since my high school days in the 1950s I have been singing the country songs of many artists. First the songs of the great Hank Williams, then in the early 1950s along came Johnny Cash.
Johnny Cash took the simplicity of country music and put a bold, deliberate bass sound to it that became his trademark style for over a half century.
In his country blues style, he sang about the train, the gun, the desperate, the down and out in prisons, the dying and love. He also always wore black while he sang to show reverence and respect, and it helped to make him a legend in his own time. And we all got to witness it.
Johnny Cash was very proud of his Cherokee heritage, and though he was not commonly known to be Indian he was a great supporter of American Indian issues. At a benefit for the American Indian DQU University, held at the legendary Cow Palace in San Francisco, I had the great honor to meet and be on the same entertainment line-up with Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Brown, Joni Mitchell and John Trudell. It was a night to remember.
To Indian people the most honorable Americans are those who give their time and energy to Indian causes and issues. Johnny Cash was one of them.
Floyd Red Crow Westerman
"I think Johnny Cash would be especially proud of this tribute album. Not just because of his high regard for Floyd Red Crow Westerman or his own life-long identification with Native Americans and commitment to their cause, but because it is such a respectful, loving portrayal of the man's work. Floyd's deep, powerful voice resonates with the truth. I had no idea he could sound so much like John."
Kris Kristofferson