Man In Black... Johnny Cash

Feb. 26, 1932 - Sept. 11, 2003

It's hard to imagine that the Man In Black is gone, but I feel certain that he's with wife, June Carter Cash, belting out songs in an angel band. Johnny Cash... born to sharecropper parents on February 26, 1932, in Kingsland, Arkansas... grew up working the fields with his parents and siblings. Music was an integral part of the Cash household and he absorbed the music like a sponge absorbs water. In later years, his life in Arkansas was the basis for numerous songs... "Pickin' Time," "Five Feet High and Rising," and "Look at Them Beans".

After serving a hitch in the Air Force and working as an appliance salesman, Johnny was able to get a music contract with Sun Records. Things were looking good... hit songs, tours and personal appearances... he was one of the most popular artists in the country.

But, during the early '60's, battles with drugs and alcohol turned his life and career into a shambles. He lost his first wife and became so violent during a 1965 Nashville show that he was banned from playing at the Grande Ole Opry.

However, he overcame his alcohol and drug problems with the help of his second wife, June Carter. He says that she would go through the house everyday looking for his hiding places and then flush it down the commode. He loved June completely, and gave her and God the credit for helping him turn his life around.

He was always a very giving man. Both he and June used their earnings to support mental health associations, a home for autistic children, safe houses for battered women, the American Cancer Society, YWCA, Youth For Christ, Campus Life, and humane societies around the country. Plus, he played benefits for Native American causes and endowed a burn research center in memory of his former guitarist Luther Perkins, who had died in a fire.

In 1980, at the age of 48, Johnny became the youngest living inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame. In 1992, he received the honor of being named to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. With that, he made musical history... becoming the only person to have been inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, The Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Song Writers Hall of Fame.

All three honors... well deserved.

Let's take an overall look at The Man In Black's handwriting...

Figure 1

The handwriting is printed rather than being in cursive.

Most people who print rather than use cursive writing are those persons who want to be crystal clear about what they are saying. They are more analytical and logical than some cursive writers.

Spacing of the lines, words, and letters.

There is ample spacing between the lines of his writing, which indicates his recognition of the need for order in his life. It also tells us that he wants to be clear in his communication... same indication as his printing his words. He goes to great length to make himself understood.

His words are wide spaced which shows his ability to step back and pause for reflections before saying what's on his mind. He's considerate of others by taking the time to make sure that he is understood correctly.

Even his individual letters have an "open" space between them, showing an outgoing and open nature... someone who is spontaneous and friendly.

Look at the slant of his writing.

Johnny's handwriting has a rightward slant showing him to be a compassionate, caring, individual. This bears out when you look at his charitable works and when you saw his actions toward his family and friends.

This rightward slant also shows a highly emotional person ranging form the highest highs to the lowest lows... someone who can burn out emotionally unless they are careful and protective of their time.

Now, let's look at some specific's of his handwriting...

The very first thing I noticed was that he doesn't dot his "i' letter...

Missing i-dots can mean absentmindedness. And, in Johnny's case, his missing i-dots indicate a strict attention to those things that are relevant or important to him... to the point of ignoring the trivial things.

Characteristics in the small letter "t" reveals several aspects of his personality.

His t-bar crosses on the stem in the upper middle, telling us that he set goals for himself that were realistic, practical and obtainable. His self-esteem was good, but not so high that he would accept help... remember, he depended on June for support when he needed it.

The t-bars are normal in width and have blunt ends signifying the ability to make positive, confident statements about whatever subject he was talking about.

Lastly, look at the slight upward tilt of the t-bars. This shows us a man who was optimistic, forward thinking and a self-starter. His optimism was a major key to his successful career. He might be down for a while... but would definitely make a "come back"!

Figure 2

The humps on the letters "m" and "n" have a downhill slant and vary between rounded and pointed on top.

The letters slanting downhill indicates diplomacy... Johnny's ability to be blunt WITHOUT hurting feelings or offending in the process.

The fact that his letters vary between rounded and pointed is characteristic of the best of both kinds of thinkers... Johnny could process information both in a cumulative/procedural manner and also in a comprehensive/fast fashion. He had the ability to adapt to the people around him. If he was with a slow talker/thinker, he would slow down and explain every detail. If he was with a fast talker/thinker, he would get straight to the "bottom-line" without a lot of detail.

The "o" letters have little or no inner loops and are closed on the top...

This characteristic reveals Johnny's ability to be honest and sometimes even blunt when asked his opinion! The fact that the tops are closed, indicate that unless he was asked, he would probably not offer an opinion.

The emphasis in his "f" letter is definitely on the bottom.

Theoretically, the top and bottom of the "f" should be equal... same amount on top as on bottom. Johnny's "f's" are most definitely bottom heavy, which indicates his interest in doing things rather than planning them.

Figure 3

The lower tail in the letters "y" and "p" relate to his PHYSICAL being.

The extra long tail indicates a very strong physical drive. Johnny was a very active person, always participating and "doing" things. Sitting quietly for long periods of time, doing NOTHING, was not part of his life.

Let's take a look at his signature.

The first letters in his first and last name are larger than normal, showing his strong sense of knowing who he was and what he was doing. He's demanding respect... mix that with his other handwriting traits and you have a man who gains your respect without forcing himself on you.

Who in his right mind, would say that those traits were not what The Man In Black was all about?

The angular lower loop in the letter "J" in Johnny's signature shows us that he was very aggressive in his physical life. Everything he did, he gave it 1000%... he played hard and I dare say that he and June had a very good sex life

General conclusions:

Johnny Cash was a man who crossed music lines in every direction possible... country to rock to sacred to pop... he did it all and VERY SUCCESSFULLY.

If you haven't read his second autobiography "Cash", I would highly recommend it. It showed a new side of Johnny... an inside look at the human side of the legend know as Johnny Cash... a man who cared, dreamed, tried and dared.

I offer my condolences to his family... he will be sorely missed.

Till next time...