Documentary on Life and Career of Joanne Cash to be Premiered at A-State, Wednesday, Oct. 2
JONESBORO –Joanne Cash was one of seven children who were raised by parents Ray and Carrie Cash in a Depression-era farm settlement residence just outside Dyess, Arkansas.
Like her brothers Johnny and Tommy, Joanne Cash has had a significant career of her own in the music industry.
Her life and career are the focus of a new documentary film that will be premiered at Arkansas State University on Wednesday, Oct. 2.
Joanne Cash will be in Jonesboro the day before to make a special appearance at the annual meeting and banquet of the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, Oct. 1. She will be featured during the banquet in “A Conversation With Joanne Cash,” which also will include some excerpts from the film.
The next night, Wednesday, Oct. 2, at 8 p.m., she will be at Arkansas State University for the premiere of the full-length documentary in the Carl R. Reng Student Union Auditorium. There is no admission charge to see the film, and free parking will be available in the parking garage adjacent to the Union.
“Joanne’s life is a remarkable story of faith and redemption,” said Dr. Ruth Hawkins, director of Arkansas Heritage Sites at A-State. “Everyone who sees it will take away some powerful messages.”
Chad Randall Crow of Proverbial Excellence, producer and director for the documentary film, calls “Joanne Cash – I Do Believe” an inspirational documentary of the life of superstar Johnny Cash's youngest sister.
“From her years of growing up in Dyess, Arkansas, to recording at Sun Records in Memphis, to sharing her faith at the Cowboy Church in Nashville, Joanne has an amazing life's story,” Crow said.
The film features interviews with her brother Tommy Cash, as well as country superstar Larry Gatlin and Christian music artist Kevin Max. The documentary also includes a rare music video of “When He Comes,” written by and recorded with her brother Johnny.
Born not long after the family moved to Dyess, Joanne Cash grew up in the cotton fields of Mississippi County, singing hymns with her family.
Today Joanne has an active music ministry through the interdenominational Nashville Cowboy Church, pastored by her husband, Dr. Harry Yates. She shares her life through 26 recordings and an autobiography, “My Fears Are Gone.”
In August 2013, Joanne and her husband were inducted into the International Country Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
Restoration of the Cash family residence at historic Dyess Colony is nearing completion. A-State recently hosted the third annual Johnny Cash Music Festival, proceeds from which are being used for the preservation project and college scholarships.
Joanne Cash has had an integral role in the project, sharing her recollections of the Cash family household and how the house looked when she lived there with her parents and siblings as part of a government farm re-settlement project.
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