Tommy Cash Dies

Tommy Cash, born on April 5, 1940, in Dyess, Arkansas, is an American country music singer and the younger brother of the legendary Johnny Cash. Growing up in a large, impoverished family during the Great Depression, Tommy was deeply influenced by the musical environment around him. His older brother Johnny’s rise to stardom undoubtedly had an impact on Tommy’s decision to pursue a music career.

However, Tommy carved out his own path in the industry, developing a distinctive style within the country music genre. Cash attended Dyess High School in Arkansas, and after graduating, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1958. He served with the United States Army for several years, where he became involved in the Army’s entertainment unit, giving him the opportunity to perform and further hone his skills as a musician.

His military experience was influential, as it allowed him to gain confidence and refine his performing style, setting the stage for his career in country music. After his discharge from the military, Tommy Cash began working as a DJ for various radio stations. His first major break came in the mid-1960s when he signed with the music label United Artists. Tommy Cash began his music career in earnest after leaving the U.S. Army in the early 1960s. In the early 1960s, before he made his breakthrough as a solo artist, Tommy played as a musician with Hank Jr., son of the legendary Hank Williams.

His first single, “I Guess I’ll Live”, was released in 1965 on the Musicor label, followed by several other recordings that garnered moderate attention. However, it was not until 1969 that he achieved national fame with “Six White Horses,” a tribute to the fallen American leaders John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr.

The song reached the top 10 on the Billboard country charts and solidified Cash’s position in the country music scene. Cash followed this success with several other hits, including “Rise and Shine” and “One Song Away.” Throughout the 1970s, Tommy Cash continued to release music and maintain a steady presence in the country music scene.

His music, which frequently touched on themes of patriotism, family values, and personal faith, attracted a loyal following. Though he never reached the same level of fame as his brother Johnny, Tommy achieved significant respect within the industry. He became known not only for his music but also for his integrity and dedication to traditional country sounds.

Throughout his career, Tommy has remained dedicated to preserving the legacy of classic country music while also developing his unique voice in the genre. Tommy Cash was a loyal supporter of the Johnny Cash Museum and a highly respected member of the music industry.

Albums
  • 1968 Here’s Comes Tommy Cash – United Artists
  • 1969 Your Lovin’ Takes the Leavin’ Out of Me – Epic
  • 1970 Six White Horses – Epic
  • 1970 Rise and Shine – Epic
  • 1971 Cash Country – Epic
  • 1971 The American Way of Life – Epic
  • 1972 The Best of Tommy Cash Volume 1 – Epic
  • 1975 Only a Stone – Elektra
  • 1978 The New Spirit – Monument
  • 1982 Cashin’ In – Brylen
  • 1982 All Around Cowboy – 51-West
  • 1983 Tommy Cash
  • 1990 25th Anniversary Album – Playback
  • 1993 Let an Old Racehorse Run – Playback
  • 1996 Solid Gold Country – Crazy Country
  • 1999 The Very Best of Tommy Cash – Collectables/Sony Music Special Products
  • 1999 Classics – Tomcat
  • 2004 Special Edition – Tomcat
  • 2004 Tribute to My Brother – Tomcat
  • 2004 Rise and Shine – Tomcat
  • 2008 Rise And Shine / Six White Horses – Omni Recording Group/Sony Music Australia
  • 2008 Shades of Black – InLight Records
  • 2008 Fade to Black: Memories of Johnny – InLight Records
Singles
  • 1965 “I Guess I’ll Live”
  • 1965 “I Didn’t Walk the Line”
  • 1966 “Along the Way”
  • 1966 “All I’ve Got to Show”
  • 1967 “Jailbirds Can’t Fly”
  • 1967 “Tobacco Road”
  • 1967 “I’m Not the Boy I Used to Be”
  • 1968 “The Sounds of Goodbye”
  • 1969 “Your Lovin’ Takes the Leavin’ Out of Me”
  • 1969 “Six White Horses” Country #4
  • 1970 “Rise and Shine” Country #9
  • 1970 “One Song Away” Country #9
  • 1970 “The Tears on Lincoln’s Face” Country #36
  • 1971 “So This Is Love” Country #20
  • 1971 “I’m Gonna Write a Song” Country #28
  • 1971 “Roll Truck Roll”
  • 1972 “You’re Everything” Country #32
  • 1972 “That Certain One” Country #22
  • 1972 “Listen” Country #24
  • 1973 “Workin’ on a Feelin'” Country #37
  • 1973 “I Recall a Gypsy Woman” Country #16
  • 1973 “She Met a Stranger, I Met a Train” Country #21
  • 1974 “Will the Circle Be Unbroken”
  • 1974 “Roller Coaster Ride”
  • 1975 “The One I Sing My Love Songs To”
  • 1975 “Only a Stone”
  • 1976 “Broken Bones”
  • 1976 “She Is Beautiful”
  • 1976 “She Still Has That Look in Her Eyes”
  • 1976 “King for a Day”
  • 1977 “The Cowboy and the Lady”
  • 1977 “Reach Out”
  • 1978 “Take My Love to Rita”
  • 1978 “In Crowd”
  • 1979 “I’d Be Better Off Alone”
  • 1979 “When the Lovin’ Starts”
  • 1982 “(I Used to Want to Be a) Cowboy”
  • 1983 “My Mother’s Other Son” (w/ Tommy Jennings)
  • 1987 “Radio Lover”
  • 1990 “Hank and George, Lefty and Me” (w/ George Jones)
  • 1990 “Guess Things Happen That Way” (w/ Johnny Cash)
  • 1996 “Man of Experience”
  • 2009 “Ramblin’ Kind”

Tommy Cash died on Friday, September 13, 2024, at the age of 84. Tommy is survived by his devoted wife of 23 years, Marcy Benefield Cash, sister Joann Cash Yates, son Mark Alan Cash (Shelbi), granddaughter Cara Cash, two great-granddaughters Chira Cash and Cameryn Cash and a large number of nieces, nephews, and extended family.

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Author: Doyle

I was born in Atlanta, moved to Alpharetta at 4, lived there for 53 years and moved to Decatur in 2016. I've worked at such places as Richway, North Fulton Medical Center, Management Science America (Computer Tech/Project Manager) and Stacy's Compounding Pharmacy (Pharmacy Tech).

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