Johnny Cash, the iconic country music artist known for his deep, resonant voice and rebellious spirit, is set to be honored with a statue at the United States Capitol.

The statue, which will be unveiled in September, is part of a larger effort to diversify the representation of American heroes at the Capitol.

He will become the first musician to receive a statue in Statuary Hall.

The Los Angeles Times, reporting on the initial move to install these statues, indicates that the ‘Man in Black’ figure will stand eight feet tall and feature him holding a Bible and a guitar.

That fitting tribute will become a reality as evidenced by an announcement posted on social media.

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Johnny Cash Statue

The addition of the bible to the Johnny Cash statue is extremely relevant. While predominantly a Country and Western musician, he spent the latter years of his career entertaining in the Gospel genre.

He has the rare honor of having been inducted into the Country Music, Rock and Roll, and Gospel Music Halls of Fame.

Cash was a devout Christian and had a famous religious awakening at Nickajack Cave. Facing personal struggles and addiction, Cash entered Nickajack Cave in 1967 with the intention of ending his life.

However, a profound spiritual experience led him to find a new path, and he emerged from the cave with a renewed sense of purpose, marking a turning point in his life. He credited the experience with ending his drug abuse problems.

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He Walked The Walk… Hard

Johnny Cash expanded the boundaries of music, refusing to keep himself inside a box when it came to his craft.

Starting his musical journey in the 1950s, he gained fame for his extremely impactful yet straightforward songs. Songs with lyrics that delved into fundamental human experiences.

Cash often drew on his own personal and professional obstacles, making many of his songs all the more relatable. He successfully reinvented himself time and time again, captivating new audiences until his passing in 2003.

He was a hero of the downtrodden, somebody who could not only admit their flaws but address them head-on with his music.

Songs like “Man in Black” and “Folsom Prison Blues” were hits due to lyrics empathizing with troubled characters. “I Walk The Line” and “Ring of Fire” were runaway hits though, with their love story themes.

Sculptor Kevin Kresse, who was selected to create the statue, told the Times that Johnny Cash lived the songs he wrote.

“He walked the walk and he lived what he believed. And that was just this quality that really appealed to me,” Kresse said. “And that interior thoughtfulness was something that I really wanted to try to bring out in this sculpture.”

We can’t wait to see the final product.

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