I’m practically related to Johnny Cash. Not really, but sometimes it feels that way. In the 1970s when Daddy bought the farmland next to the Cash home place in Dyess, Arkansas, we became connected. Instantly. It doesn’t matter that we were never properly introduced or that the Cash family had already sold their land. The soil has a way of connecting people. Like blood.
I think Johnny Cash would agree.
When Dr. Ruth Hawkins and Arkansas State approached Momma about donating or selling a portion of our land to the Johnny Cash restoration project for parking and whatnot, we hem and hawed around wondering, what would Daddy do? Then we decided to donate it anyway. It just felt right.
Johnny Cash Boyhood Home
That donation scored us an invite to the VIP Inspection Tour last Friday, a sort of preview before the August grand opening. (Really Momma was invited, and the rest of us tagged along as her entourage per usual.)
The impressive affair began as it should with an old-fashioned southern picnic—fried chicken, mashed potatoes, collards, black-eyed peas, cornbread, peach cobbler and vanilla ice cream. The fabulous StillBillys, a rockabilly band from Northeast Arkansas, set the tone with music from Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, and of course Johnny Cash.
Picnic lunch provided by Whitton Farms and Tyboogie’s Cafe
The Dyess Administration Building, which by the way strikes an uncanny resemblance to Elvis’ Graceland, has been beautifully transformed into a first-class museum detailing the settling of Dyess Colony under the Works Progress Administration. Oral histories, photo displays and original artifacts profile the acute struggles borne by families who paved the way for us.
Dyess Colony Administration Building
A whole slew of Cash family members attended this shindig, traveling from Tennessee and beyond, including  Cash’s youngest daughter, Tara, and siblings Tommy and Joanne who were born in Dyess and lived in the house. Addressing the crowd, they cracked jokes and shared memories. In short, they were down to earth and grateful for the transformation and preservation of their home place.
Really, they seemed like regular Mississippi County folks. And they traveled in grand style too.
Joanne Cash Yates (motorcycle) and other Cash family (pickup).
But now for the highlight of the day…Johnny Cash’s boyhood home has been restored and furnished with period pieces, some donated by the Cash family, others donated by area friends.
Johnny Cash Boyhood Home, Kitchen
Although I’ve been down the gravel road and seen the house too many times to count, I sensed a difference on this special day of commemoration. The very land felt hallowed—not only because Johnny Cash came from such a simple place, but because anyone survived such hardship wrought by the Great Depression and flood of 1937.
Walking through the cramped hallway, I sensed the loss of a time when modest spaces were filled with large, close-knit families who struggled and celebrated together. Working. Sleeping. Eating. Praying. And in the case of the Cash family, making music.
Johnny Cash’s bedroom
Gazing out the window across delta gumbo, the same delta gumbo Johnny Cash longed to escape, I understood the source of his music. The brutal, raw honesty of the land is what inspires me to write.
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.
At a very early age…I was very aware I was part of nature—that I sprang from the soil.  – Johnny Cash
How High is the Water Mama – Johnny Cash
Grand Opening for this Arkansas State University Heritage Site is scheduled for August 16, 2014. The site will be open on a limited basis and by appointment for group tours beginning in late April 2014. Click HEREÂ for additional information or phone 870-972-2803.
Really enjoyed reading about my home town of Dyess ,,, great work girlie
Thanks June. Exciting times for Dyess!
I have to go go see Johnny’s home place
Beautiful article. What a neat connection to the Cash family. Side note: You are the only other person I know that spells M-o-m-m-a like I do. 😉
haha it’s the only way I know to spell it. Thanks!
enjoyed the read and the pics of Johnny Cash’s home!!! That was my kind of picnic lunch!!!!
Thanks Mrs. June! Yes the food was wonderful.
Oh, Talya, you did such a great job describing the tour Friday. I really enjoyed seeing friends from all over and making new friends. The picnic was fun with good Southern cooking. I will be watching as they start with the parking lot What fun!
Awesomeness all over the place on this one, Talya!!!
Truly inspiring. Johnny Cash — a man who spoke to many — and Talya Tate Boerner — a woman who writes for many — begat from the same inspirational place. =)
Thanks Adrianna:)
Yay, Talya! Beautiful piece of land and blog! So glad y’all got to be part of such a special day! And maybe before too long everyBUDDY will learn how Dyess is pronounced – like ‘Dice’ and not Di-ezz, as newscasters often say! 🙂
Thanks Cindy and yes on the pronunciation!
Talya, your dad gave Eddie the barn behind Johnny’s home. We got some good cypress lumber and large beams, built our home. I remember pulling nails out of the lumber and loading them on a trailor. We built our home with the help of Eddie’s dad Britton Gardner and Mr. spence. I love reading your stuff..
Thank you so much Linda and thank you for sharing the story of the barn. I remember Britton Gardner:)
I have long been a Johnny Cash fan, to be so connected to his home is amazing! One day’ll I’ll visit and maybe stop by for some sweet tea with your Momma too! 🙂
Well, I wish I had been part of your momma entourage! It was obviously great fun and inspiring. I like Johnny Cash and am glad he did finally excape that gumbo. Good post! Love seeing the pictures.
Something came over me looking at that photo of the kitchen.
I like your helpful “our land” arrow.
I hope you get the chance to visit. It really is a special place.
I love Johnny Cash. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Jacqueline. Me too!
My cousin was married to Rachal Fore. Rachal said that Johnny Cash was her cousin. Does anyone know anything about this or the Fore family in Dyess, AR.?
I don’t know the Fore family but maybe someone will see your post and respond. Thank you!