On this day in 1968 Johnny Cash performed two shows for the inmates at Folsom State Prison in California.

The song Folsom Prison Blues was first written and recorded by Cash in 1955 after he was inspired by watching the movie Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison while serving in the Air Force in West Germany. The original recording reached #4 on the Billboard Country and Western Best Sellers Chart.

The song became popular with inmates, leading to them writing Johnny to ask him to come and perform at their prisons. Johnny, the social activist and person compassionate to the struggles of others, did end up performing several prison shows.

Johnny was in the process of cleaning himself up in 1967 when he approached his producer, Bob Johnson, at Columbia Records and pitched the idea of recording a live album at a prison show.  Johnson agreed, and Johnny’s two shows at Folsom were recorded and turned into the album, At Folsom Prison, which was released in May of 1968. At Folsom Prison reached the top of the country chart and is credited with revitalizing Johnny’s career, which at the time was fizzling out as a result of his struggles with addiction.

The live version of Folsom Prison Blues was released as a single and hit #1 on the Country singles chart and won Cash a Grammy, the first of four he would win in his career.

Folsom Prison Blues, live:

Johnny also covered Long Black Veil, first recorded in 1959 by Lefty Frizzell. It’s about a guy that allows himself to be executed so his best friend doesn’t find out he was bagging his wife.

Ring of Fire has nothing to do with At Folsom Prison but fuck it, it’s awesome and Johnny Cash is awesome and today is my day. Enjoy.