PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA, THE: DOCFEST 2008: JOHNNY CASH'S AMERICA {LONG VERSION}

Summary

One in a series of evenings and special screenings presented as part of The Paley Center for Media’s ninth annual Documentary Television Festival. Held at The Paley Center in New York, this evening focuses on “Johnny Cash’s America,” a documentary on the life legendary musician, whose career spanned many genres of music and aspects of American culture.

Moderator Allen Glover (assistant curator, The Paley Center for Media), offers opening remarks before introducing executive producer Andy Berg, who provides background on the film. Next, executive producer/co-director/writer Morgan Neville introduces the documentary, which is screened in its entirety. (For synopsis and credits, see ACCNUM B:93502.)

After the screening, Glover and Neville discuss topics which include: Sun Records producer Sam Phillips’ involvement in a past DocFest; the diversity of the interview subjects, ranging from Al Gore (for whom Cash "stumped") to Ozzy Osbourne (for whom Cash acted as a rehab sponsor); Cash’s “battle with his image as an icon” as opposed to an artist; why the film can be summed up by the word “honesty”; Cash’s firm religious beliefs and attempts to quash TV executives' censorship; how Cash's interest in “non-politicized social justice” manifested itself; and a claim from country music duo Big & Rich that Cash would have supported John McCain’s presidential bid, which was refuted by daughter Rosanne Cash.

Questions from the audience then lead to a discussion of the following topics: the film’s lack of focus on wife June Carter Cash; Neville’s feeling on the film “Walk the Line”; why religious hymns had such an impact on Cash; artists that Cash wanted on his TV show, including Pete Seeger; Cash’s initial reaction to being approached by "edgy" producer Rick Rubin; his career as a film actor, as well as television appearances on “Columbo” and "The Muppet Show"; Cash's accumulating medical problems in the '90s; how sales for Cash's CD box sets escalated after his death; Neville’s interest in “quirky” Memphis and its “unique cultural makeup”; the current ownership of rights to Cash’s songs; and clips from a previously unseen television pilot starring Cash that appeared in the documentary.

Details

• NETWORK: N/A
• DATE: October 17, 2008 6:30 PM
• RUNNING TIME: 1:54:36
• COLOR/B&W: Color
• CATALOG ID: B:93567
• GENRE: Seminars
• SUBJECT HEADING: N/A
• SERIES RUN: N/A
• COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

• Allen Glover … Moderator
• Morgan Neville … Panelist
• Andy Berg … Guest
• Big & Rich
• Johnny Cash
• June Carter Cash
• Rosanne Cash
• Al Gore
• John McCain
• Ozzy Ozbourne
• Sam Phillips
• Rick Rubin
• Pete Seeger