Before the black coats, prison concerts, and rockabilly rebellion, Johnny Cash lived a life shaped by hardship, heartache, and hope. Here are five things most fans don’t know about his early years.

1. His Brother’s Death Haunted Him Forever

In 1944, when Johnny was just 12, his older brother Jack died tragically in a sawmill accident. Johnny never fully recovered from the loss — the guilt and grief shaped much of his later songwriting, particularly the themes of sin, redemption, and loss.

2. He Wrote Songs as a Radio Intercept Operator

Cash served in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Germany as a radio intercept operator. Between copying Morse code and decoding Soviet transmissions, he wrote his earliest songs — including the seeds of what would become “Folsom Prison Blues.”

3. He Was Deeply Religious — and Wanted to Be a Gospel Star

Raised in a devout Southern Baptist family, Cash always wanted to record gospel music. In fact, his first dream was to be a gospel artist — a vision that clashed with Sun Records’ focus on secular hits. His gospel album My Mother’s Hymn Book was recorded decades later, fulfilling that childhood desire.

4. He Was Born J.R. Cash — Literally

Johnny’s parents couldn’t agree on a first name, so they legally named him “J.R.” at birth. When he enlisted in the Air Force, military policy required a full name — so he chose “John R. Cash.” Later, it became simply “Johnny.”

5. He Sang in the Fields Before He Sang on Stage

Growing up in Dyess, Arkansas, Cash worked alongside his family in the cotton fields. To pass the time, he sang gospel tunes and early country songs. These hours spent singing through sweat and struggle were his earliest rehearsals — and helped shape his unmistakable baritone.