June Carter Cash facts for kids

Quick facts for kids June Carter Cash
Carter in July 1999
Background information
Birth name	Valerie June Carter
Born	(1929-06-23)June 23, 1929 Maces Spring, Virginia, U.S.
Died	May 15, 2003(2003-05-15) (aged 73) Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
Genres	Country folk Americana gospel Appalachian country folk Rockabilly
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter dancer
Instruments	Vocals guitar banjo harmonica autoharp piano
Years active	1939–2003
Labels	American House of Cash Decca Legacy
Associated acts	Carter Family The Carter Sisters and Mother Maybelle Johnny Cash

June Carter Cash (born Valerie June Carter; June 23, 1929 – May 15, 2003) was a famous American singer, songwriter, and dancer. She won five Grammy Awards during her career. June was a member of the well-known Carter Family musical group. She was also the second wife of the legendary singer Johnny Cash.

Before marrying Johnny Cash, she was known as June Carter. She played many instruments, including guitar, banjo, harmonica, and autoharp. June also acted in several movies and TV shows. In 2009, she was honored by being added to the Christian Music Hall of Fame.

June's Early Life and Family Music

June Carter Cash was born Valerie June Carter in Maces Spring, Virginia. Her parents, Maybelle Carter and Ezra Carter, were country music performers. June started performing with the Carter Family when she was just 10 years old in 1939.

In 1943, her mother Maybelle formed a new group. It was called "Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters." June performed with her sisters, Helen Carter and Anita Carter. They played on radio stations in Virginia. June, at 16, even helped announce the radio shows.

June felt she had to work harder at music than her sisters. But she had a special talent for comedy. Her "Aunt Polly" comedy routine was a big hit at shows. She was known for being a natural clown. Years later, she brought Aunt Polly back for a TV series called Johnny Cash & Friends.

The family moved to different radio stations. In 1949, they were performing in Springfield, Missouri. Finally, in 1950, they joined the famous Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. There, the family became friends with stars like Hank Williams and Elvis Presley. This is also where June first met Johnny Cash.

In the 1960s and 1970s, June and her sisters, along with their mother and aunt, used the name "The Carter Family" again for their performances.

June's Amazing Career

Cash with husband Johnny, President Richard Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon on April 17, 1970.

June Carter Cash was known for many talents. She was a singer, songwriter, actress, and comedian. She also wrote books and helped many people through charity work.

A famous director, Elia Kazan, saw her perform in 1955. He encouraged her to study acting. She took classes in New York. June appeared in movies like The Apostle (1998). She also acted in TV shows such as Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (1993–97) and Gunsmoke (1957).

As a singer, June had her own solo career. She also sang with her family and later with Johnny Cash. In the 1950s, she had fun country songs like "Jukebox Blues." Her comedic song "No Swallerin' Place" was also popular.

Writing "Ring of Fire"

In the early 1960s, June Carter wrote the song "Ring of Fire." She wrote it with songwriter Merle Kilgore. June wrote the lyrics about her feelings for Johnny Cash. She first offered the song to her sister, Anita Carter, who recorded it.

In 1963, Johnny Cash recorded the song. The Carter Family sang backup. He added mariachi horns, which made it unique. The song became a number-one hit. It is now one of the most famous country songs ever.

However, Johnny Cash's first wife, Vivian Cash, later said that Johnny told her he wrote the song with Merle Kilgore. She claimed he gave June half the credit because "She needs the money. And I like her."

Singing with Johnny Cash

June's first big performance with Johnny Cash was in 1964. They sang "It Ain't Me Babe," a song by Bob Dylan. It was released as a single.

In 1967, they had a huge hit with their song "Jackson." This led to their first album together, Carryin' On with Johnny Cash and June Carter. These songs were released before they got married.

After they married, June continued to work with Johnny Cash. She sang duets on his albums. She was also a regular on The Johnny Cash Show from 1969 to 1971. They also appeared on his yearly Christmas specials.

June Carter Cash released three solo albums during her lifetime. These were Appalachian Pride (1975), Press On (1999), and Wildwood Flower (2003). Wildwood Flower was released after she passed away.

One of her last public appearances was in April 2003. She accepted an award for Johnny Cash. He was too ill to attend.

Awards and Recognition

June Carter Cash won several Grammy Awards. In 1968, she and Johnny Cash won a Grammy for their duet "Jackson." They won another Grammy in 1971 for "If I Were a Carpenter."

Her album Press On won a Grammy in 2000 for Best Traditional Folk Album. Her last album, Wildwood Flower, won two more Grammys in 2004. It won for Best Traditional Folk Album and Best Female Country Vocal Performance for "Keep on the Sunny Side."

June also wrote an autobiography in 1979. She wrote another memoir called From the Heart about 10 years later.

June's Personal Life

Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash in 1969

June Carter was married three times. She had one child with each husband. All three of her children became successful in country music.

Her first marriage was to country singer Carl Smith from 1952 to 1956. They had a daughter named Carlene Smith, known as Carlene Carter. She is a country musician.

June's second marriage was to Edwin "Rip" Nix in 1957. They had a daughter, Rosie Nix Adams, in 1958. Rosie also became a country/rock singer. June and Rip divorced in 1966. Sadly, Rosie died in 2003 from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning.

June and the Carter Family had performed with Johnny Cash for many years. In 1968, Johnny proposed to June during a live show. They married on March 1 in Franklin, Kentucky. They stayed married until June's death in 2003. Their son, John Carter Cash, is also a musician and producer. June also became a stepmother to Johnny's four daughters from his first marriage, including Rosanne Cash.

June Carter Cash was a distant cousin of the 39th U.S. President, Jimmy Carter. They became good friends throughout their lives.

June was a strong supporter of SOS Children's Villages. This group helps children in need. In 1974, June and Johnny Cash gave money to build a village in Jamaica. They often visited the children there, playing music and singing for them.

June also had close friendships with many other famous entertainers. These included Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Elvis Presley, and Kris Kristofferson.

June's Passing

June Carter Cash passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, on May 15, 2003. She was 73 years old. She died from problems after heart surgery. Her family, including Johnny Cash, was with her. Johnny Cash died just four months after June. June's daughter, Rosie Nix Adams, passed away a month after Johnny. All three are buried in Hendersonville, Tennessee.

June's Legacy

In 2003, Country Music Television named June Carter Cash one of the "40 Greatest Women of Country Music."

June Carter was played by actress Reese Witherspoon in the 2005 movie Walk the Line. This film was about Johnny Cash's life. It focused a lot on his relationship with June. Reese Witherspoon sang all of June's songs in the movie. She won an Academy Award for her role.

Musician and actress Jewel played June Carter Cash in the 2013 TV movie Ring of Fire. This movie was based on a book by June's son, John Carter Cash.

Discography

Albums

Albums with Johnny Cash

Note: this list only lists albums on which June Carter Cash received co-billing. Most 1970s and 1980s album releases by Cash featured at least one duet with her, and/or she provided backing vocals.

Singles

Singles with Johnny Cash

Featured singles

Music videos

Images for kids

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  Carter in July 1999

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  Cash with husband Johnny, President Richard Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon on April 17, 1970.

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  Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash in 1969

See also

In Spanish: June Carter Cash para niños