Johnny Cash, American Badass

Johnny Cash is an American badass.  He stood where he stood.  He had attitude and mojo.  He was not one to back down, especially with a little help from Tom Petty.  He grew as a man throughout his life, often as a solitary man, wrestling with demons until the end.  He hurt, in the process turning a Nine Inch Nails classic into one of his own.  He saw a darkness and yet he endured, wishing peace to his friends and himself.  He was the man in black to represent those who were not represented.  He looked for strength in God, which is not my style, but for which I give respect.  He had a personal Jesus, and he spoke for the Lord to bring justice to those long tongue liars.  I can dig that.

In some ways he was a man of constant sorrow, but he did it with style, courage, and grit.  And yet he  still fell into a burnin' ring of fire and walked the line, perhaps shakily, but walked it nonetheless, for his true love, June Carter.  There ain't no grave that can hold this dude's body down, that's for sure.  Respect, Mr. Cash, respect.