Covering Johnny Cash

Country music legend Johnny Cash left the world 12 years ago today, dying in 2003 at the age of 71. Cash’s legacy lives on in the many recordings he made and remarkable songs he composed and played during his storied career. In honor of the Man In Black this week’s Spotify Playlist – Covering Cash – features 15 tracks written and performed by Cash covered by a diverse array of musicians.

Johnny Cash’s influence on American music is simply undeniable and the list of artists who have covered his work is long and impressive. The collection of tracks below includes Cash contemporaries, such as Bob Dylan and Ray Charles, talented pickers like Chet Atkins, Ry Cooder, Bill Frisell, Jerry Douglas and Earl Scruggs, the sweet vocals of Loretta Lynn, Emmylou Harris and Norah Jones (who appears twice, also with The Little Willies) and group efforts by Old 97’s, My Morning Jacket and Grateful Dead. There’s also a cut by actors Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon from the biopic feature film Walk The Line.

RIP Johnny.