The Prisoner Who Made Johnny Cash Cry at Folsom Prison 

January 13th, 1968. Folsome prison was buzzing with unusual energy. Even California’s most hardened inmates felt different that morning because Johnny Cash was coming. And nobody knew that on this day, not only American music history, but one man’s life would be changed forever. The stage set up in the prison cafeteria gleamed under temporary spotlights.

 But about 20 yards from that stage, among tens of thousands of letters, there was an envelope. And the words inside that envelope would bring tears to the eyes of even a man like Johnny Cash. When Johnny Cash woke up that morning at the El Rancho Motel in Sacramento, his hands were shaking. In the last few years, drug addiction had nearly destroyed his career.

 His record label, Columbia Records, was about to drop him because he hadn’t had a number one hit since 1964. But the idea of recording at Folsam Prison felt like one last chance. Not just an album, a rebirth. The prison warden had laid down the rules clearly. Inmates couldn’t stand up, couldn’t get rowdy, couldn’t lose control.

 But Johnny Cash had never cared about rules. I won’t play for an audience that doesn’t have the right to stand up,” he’d said the night before, and the warden had reluctantly agreed. As the inmates began filing into the cafeteria one by one, a guard approached Johnny and handed him a brown envelope. On it, written in unsteady handwriting, were just a few words.

 To Johnny Cash, please read this morning. Urgent. Johnny didn’t open the envelope. He was caught up in the excitement and nervousness of taking the stage. He set it down on a small table backstage and picked up his guitar. But the words inside that envelope held a power no one could have imagined. At exactly 9:40, Johnny Cash walked onto the stage.

 His tall, commanding presence in those black clothes, that charisma that made him the legendary man in black, created a silence among the inmates. Then Johnny spoke. His deep, rich voice echoed off those cold concrete walls. It was honest, direct, hiding nothing. “Hello, I’m Johnny Cash,” he said, and the inmates went wild. Shouts, whistles, applause.

 The guards stood ready, but Johnny just smiled. This was his audience. The lost and the forgotten, just like him. Johnny opened with fulsome prison blues. I hear the trainer coming is rolling around the bend. As he sang those lines, he saw the expressions on the inmates faces. Some had closed their eyes, some were crying silently, and Johnny understood in that moment just how right it was for him to be there.

 But the real turning point hadn’t come yet. Throughout the first set, Johnny performed as he always did. When June Carter came on stage and they sang Jackson, the inmates jumped to their feet. The guards wanted to intervene, but Johnny raised his hand. “Let them be,” he said. “Let them live.” When the first show ended, Johnny came off stage drenched in sweat.

 But something was missing. There was a restlessness inside him, as if this concert needed to mean something more. That’s when producer Bob Johnston came up to him, holding the brown envelope Johnny had left on the table. “Johnny, you need to read this,” Bob said. His voice was serious. The guard brought it back to us. It says urgent on it.

 Johnny took the envelope and opened it. The paper inside had been torn from a prison notebook, its edges uneven. It was written in pencil, and some of the words showed that the writer’s hands had been shaking. Johnny began to read. The letter said, “Dear Mr. Cash, my name is Thomas Whitmore. I’m 47 years old and I’m serving life in Folsam Prison.

 I’ve been here since 1954. 14 years. Seeing you here today means I can’t even describe it. But I need to tell you something. If I don’t, it’ll stay inside me forever. In 1957, during my third year in this prison, I heard a song on the radio. Folsome Prison Blues. When I first heard that song, I cried Mr. Cash.

 Because for the first time in my life, I felt like someone understood me, that someone knew how a man like me felt. Johnny stopped. His eyes were welling up, but he kept reading. That song reminded me of something, Mr. Cash. Something I’d forgotten. I’m a human being, not a number. And once I had a life on the outside. I had a family.

 I have a little girl living in Memphis. Her name is Sarah. She was one year old when I came in here. Now she’s 15. Her hair is red like her mother’s. Her eyes are green like mine. At least that’s how she looked in the last photo she sent me 7 years ago. Johnny’s hands trembled slightly. June Carter moved closer, but said nothing.

 She just stood there offering support. The letter continued, “Sarah never knew me, Mr. Cash. She’s never once called me dad, but my ex-wife, Linda, told her about me. She says Sarah listens to your songs every night before bed, especially I walked the line.” In the last letter Linda wrote me, she said, “Sarah’s biggest dream is to meet you someday.

 She has your poster on her wall and she can’t tell her friends at school that herfather’s in prison because she’s ashamed. She’s ashamed of me, Mr. Cash. Johnny’s breath caught in his throat. Bob Johnston waited silently. The weight of the letter had silenced everyone in the room. I’m never getting out of here, Mr. Cash. Life means exactly that.

 I’ll die here. But my daughter, she still has a chance. She can live a good life. She can get married someday, have children, be happy. But there’s a problem. Sarah’s ashamed of her father. And there’s nothing I can do in this world to free her from that. Because I’m here behind these concrete walls, invisible.

 As Johnny read the next part of the letter, his voice began to shake. But Mr. cash. If you if somehow you could reach her, maybe you could send a signed photo. Maybe write a little note, something like, “I know your father. He’s a good man. I know I’m asking a lot. You’re a busy man.

” But for Sarah, this would mean everything in the world. Because if Johnny Cash told her something, maybe then the kids at school would look at her differently. Maybe then she wouldn’t be ashamed of her father. Maybe then she’d think I had some worth. Johnny stopped and looked at the letter’s final paragraph.

 The words had nearly faded on the page, as if the writer had erased and rewritten them many times. I want to tell you one more thing, Mr. Cash. Your music has changed the lives of many men in here, not just mine. In the hallways, in the cells, every day someone is humming your songs because you didn’t forget about us. You gave us value.

 And you being here today, this isn’t just a concert. This is hope. Respectfully, Thomas Whitmore, inmate 241. When Johnny finished the letter, tears were streaming down his face. He slowly folded the paper, but couldn’t take his eyes off it. Bob Johnston leaned forward. Johnny, are you okay? He asked. Johnny raised his head.

 His eyes were red, but his gaze was determined. Bob, Johnny said, his voice, but clear. Find this man. Sit him in the front row for the second show. And send a telegram to Memphis. Find Sarah Whitmore’s address. If you can’t find her, find Linda Whitmore. Whatever it takes. Find that girl. Bob nodded.

 I’ll take care of it right away, Johnny. But what are you going to do? Johnny placed the letter on the left side of his chest, right over his heart, and tucked it inside his jacket. What am I going to do? I’m going to show that man his daughter will be proud of him. Because if these prison walls have taught me anything, it’s this.

 A father will do anything for his daughter, even from in here. June Carter touched Johnny’s shoulder. Johnny,” she said in a soft voice. “You’re wonderful. You know that, don’t you?” Johnny turned to June and smiled slightly. “No, June. I’m just a man trying to do the right thing, just like Thomas Witmore.” During the lunch break, the guards moved to find inmate 241.

 Thomas Witmore was sitting in a cell in block C. He’d been sent back after the morning concert, and now he waited silently. He didn’t know if Johnny Cash had read his letter. Maybe he threw it away, he thought. Maybe he’s too busy. Didn’t care about it. But still, there was a small hope inside him. A spark. When his door opened, Thomas looked up.

 Senior guard Miller stood in the doorway. “Whit more,” he said in a harsh voice. “Get up. Johnny Cash wants to see you.” Thomas froze. “What?” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. Are you messing with me? A rare expression appeared on Guard Miller’s face, almost a smile. No, Whitmore, I’m not messing with you.

 Cash asked for you personally. You’ll sit in the front row for the second show. But first, I need to take you backstage. Now, let’s go. Thomas stood up. His knees were shaking. He was 47 years old, but in that moment, he felt like a small child. Guard Miller led him down the corridor. As they passed by, other inmates looked on with curiosity.

“Where’s Whitmore going?” they whispered. “Johnny Cash called for him,” came the answer. And down the corridor, a silent wave of respect spread. When they reached backstage, Thomas’s heart was nearly beating out of his chest. It was a small, narrow room, a table, a few chairs, and an old mirror hanging on the wall.

 And there beside the table dressed in black sat Johnny Cash. When he saw Thomas, Johnny stood up. The two men looked at each other. A long silence passed. Guard Miller left the room and closed the door. Now it was just the two of them. Johnny slowly walked forward, his hands at his sides, his posture straight but gentle. Thomas, Johnny said in that deep, calm bass baritone voice.

But this time there was warmth in it. I read your letter. Thomas’s eyes filled with tears. Mr. Cash. I I just The words caught in his throat. Johnny raised his hand. No, Thomas. You’re not going to apologize. You as a father asked me to do what I could for your daughter, and I’m giving you my word.

 I’m going to reach Sarah. I’m going to tell her who her father is. But it’s more than that. Johnny took another step toward Thomasand extended his hand. Thomas looked at it, that strong, famous, legendary hand, and he took it. Johnny gripped Thomas’s hand firmly. I’m going to tell her this, Thomas.

 Your father’s name is Thomas Witmore, and he’s a hero because even in the darkest moment of his life, he thought of you. He loved you, and he fought for you. Thomas’s tears were now flowing unstoppably. But Mr. Cash, I’m a criminal. I’m a bad man. Why should my daughter be proud of me? Johnny didn’t let go of Thomas’s hand.

 No, Thomas, you’re a human being, and human beings make mistakes, but our mistakes don’t define us. What defines us is what we do after those mistakes. and you’ve been trying to survive in here for 14 years. Not just for yourself, but for your daughter. That’s courage. That’s love. Thomas bowed his head.

 I I just want her to be happy. I don’t want her to be ashamed of me. Johnny touched Thomas’s shoulder. She won’t be ashamed of you. I’m going to tell her that Johnny Cash knew her father. And I’m going to tell her something else. that her father loves I walk the line too because that song is about a man’s devotion to the people he loves just like your devotion to Sarah.

 Thomas raised his head and looked into Johnny’s eyes. Will you Will you really do this? Johnny smiled. Thomas, I’m giving you my word and I keep my word. At that moment, the door opened and Bob Johnston came in. He had a paper in his hand. Johnny, he said out of breath. I found Sarah Whitmore. She’s living in Memphis with her mother.

 I have the address. And one more thing. The girl is participating in a music competition at her college tomorrow. Johnny turned to Bob. There was a sparkle in his eyes. Perfect. Bob, send a telegram to Nashville. Tell Sarah Whitmore to come to the concert tomorrow as a special guest. All expenses on me. Thomas looked on in disbelief.

 You’re You’re inviting her to Nashville. Johnny nodded. That’s not all, Thomas. I’m going to let her hear your voice. Thomas’s eyes widened. My voice? Johnny smiled. Yes, Bob. Get the recording equipment. Thomas, you’re going to record a message for your daughter right now, and that message will reach Sarah. She’ll hear your voice.

 She’ll hear in your own words that her father loves her. In that moment, Thomas’s legs gave out. He sat down in the chair and brought his hands to his face. For 14 years, he hadn’t been able to say a word to his daughter. And now he had the chance to say something. “I I don’t know what to say,” Thomas said, his voice shaking. Johnny sat down beside him.

“Thomas,” he said gently. Just tell her what’s in your heart. As a father, what do you want to say to her? Thomas raised his head. His eyes were misty, but there was determination in them. I want to tell her that I think about her every day. I want to tell her I’m proud of her.

 And I want to tell her to be proud of herself because she’s my daughter and she’s a wonderful person. Johnny smiled. That’s it. Say that and she’ll never forget it. At 12:40 in the afternoon, when the second concert began, [clears throat] Thomas Whitmore was sitting in the front row. The inmates around him looked at him with curiosity. No one knew why he’d been placed in the front row. But Thomas just waited.

 His heart was beating so fast he felt like his chest might burst. When Johnny Cash came on stage, he looked directly at Thomas and nodded in greeting. Thomas felt his eyes fill up, but he tried to hold himself together. Johnny picked up his guitar and approached the microphone. “I’m going to sing you a song now,” Johnny said, his voice echoing through the cafeteria.

 “This morning, I received a letter from someone in here. This man has been here for 14 years, and he told me about his 15-year-old daughter in Memphis.” A silence fell over the cafeteria. Johnny turned toward Thomas and looked into his eyes. That man told me, “My daughter is ashamed of me, but I just want her to be happy.

” And gentlemen, I want to tell you something. In this room, there are many fathers, many sons, many brothers, and you’re trying to survive in here for the people waiting for you outside. That’s courage. Some of the inmates began to cry. Some bowed their heads. Johnny played his guitar and continued speaking. The song I’m about to sing, this is for Sarah in Memphis and for all the Sarah waiting outside.

 For all the children, all the wives, all the mothers, for every one of you. And Johnny began to sing, “I walked the line.” But this time he sang each word differently, as if every line was addressed to every inmate in that room, every father. Because you’re mine, I walked the line. Thomas Whitmore could no longer hold back his tears.

 He hadn’t cried in 14 years. For 14 years, he’d kept his emotions buried inside. But in that moment, listening to Johnny Cash’s voice, knowing Sarah would hear this song, that Johnny would reach her, that she would learn her father loved her, and he cried. Silently, but deeply, he cried.