Johnny Cash's Brother, Tommy Cash, Reflects on their Childhood Home Restoration
JONESBORO — Members of the Cash family were the first to view the restoration of the Johnny Cash Boyhood Home. The Arkansas State University Heritage Site at the Dyess Colony includes the Cash home, and the grand opening for the public is Saturday, Aug. 16, following the Johnny Cash Music Festival on Friday, Aug. 15, at 7 p.m., at Arkansas State’s Convocation Center.
Tommy Cash, Johnny’s brother, and other family members had a chance to visit the boyhood home of him and his family in April of 2014 during a private tour of the home. The family was filled with emotion and memories.
“I know that my mother, my father and my brother Johnny would be thrilled at what’s being done here,” said Tommy. “We felt right at home when we walked through the door of the house. I felt like it was the 1940s and 1950s.”
The Johnny Cash Music Festival, now in its fourth year, is presented annually by Arkansas State, with participation by the Cash family, to benefit the Johnny Cash Boyhood Home Project.
As in years past, proceeds from this year’s event will help fund the Dyess County restoration project, as well as support a scholarship fund established in the international superstar’s name.
Country Music Hall of Famers Reba McEntire, Bobby Bare and Loretta Lynn will perform at this year’s festival and legendary singer and comedian Mark Lowry will host the event.
Tickets for the Johnny Cash Music Festival are available at Arkansas State’s Central Box Office and online at Tickets.AState.edu. Tickets can also be purchased by logging onto the official website of the Johnny Cash Music Festival, JohnnyCashMusicFest.com. Call to purchase tickets toll-free at 1-888-278-3267 or 870-972-2781.
“The whole family is honored to have the house we lived in for many, many years—house number 266—to be returned to the house we remember,” continued Tommy. “We thank everyone for sharing the passion and love we have for this community and our house.”
The Johnny Cash Boyhood Hometown Project is expected to draw approximately 50,000 visitors annually, resulting in nearly $10 million in tourism-related income to the region.
