Statue Of Johnny Cash Unveiled At U.S. Capitol

Johnny Cash became the first professional musician to receive a statue in the U.S. Capitol. The likeness of the Man in Black was unveiled by members of Cash’s family, including his daughter Rosanne, during a ceremony on Tuesday (September 24) at Emancipation Hall. Each U.S. state receives two statues in recognition of notable figures from throughout their history. Cash was a native of Dyess, Arkansas, and his statue will now be Arkansas’ second figure at the Capitol, joining a bronze representation of civil rights activist Daisy Bates. Back in May, NPR’s Scott Simon spoke with Little Rock artist Kevin Kresse, the sculptor selected to create Cash’s 8-foot-tall bronze likeness, which features the country legend with a guitar slung across his back and holding a bible. “I think the honesty of his work, the truth in his lyrics and the simplicity and straightforward way of getting that message across just spoke to me as an artist as well,” Kresse said at the time. (Rolling Stone)