"I'm sure Johnny Cash would have been a John McCain supporter if he was still around."Those are words John Rich may want to take back. Cash's eldest daughter, Rosanne Cash, has issued a statement in response to Rich's above political assumption, which he made on stage at a concert in Florida earlier this month.
"It is appalling to me that people still want to invoke my father's name, five years after his death, to ascribe beliefs, ideals, values and loyalties to him that cannot possibly be determined and to try to further their own agendas by doing so," Rosanne writes. "I knew my father pretty well, at least better than some of those who entitle themselves to his legacy and his supposed ideals, and even I would not presume to say publicly what I 'know' he thought or felt. This is especially dangerous in the case of political affiliation. It is unfair and presumptuous to use him to bolster any platform. I would ask that my father not be co-opted in this election for either side since he is clearly not here to defend or state his own allegiance."
Rich, an outspoken supporter of Senator McCain, has written a campaign song for the presidential hopeful called 'Raisin' McCain.' It will be featured at next month's Republican National Convention.
Reader Comments(9 of 9)
Chrisat 8-22-2008
John Rich pulled a cheap and classless move and Roseanne Cash called him on it.Case closed
Kimmyat 8-22-2008
How many democrats would change their vote because John Rich said Johnny Cash probably vote for McCain? If this was Madonna or Barbra publicly sharing their opinion, everyone cheers. Republicans have freedom of speech too. And I agree with John Rich. I think Johnny Cash would vote republican.
Hello Sandyat 8-22-2008
John Rich has an ego bigger than he is. He is a little twit and I do mean little.
meichelevat 8-22-2008
I think she needs to calm down a little. We all make off the cuff remarks sometimes not really thinking about it in literal terms. I am sure John Rich meant no disrespect to Ms Cash or her father. We all have our own opinions in politics and in music, and I for one-love Big and Rich, as they play by their own rules, and play the music they want to play-and really act like they enjoy themselves! I don't like all their stuff, but as a whole they are alright...and you can say whatever you want to about John Rich, but no one can argue that he is one of the most sought after song writers in music today. He could never sing another note and just live off his song writing capabilities.
boulierat 8-22-2008
If someone wants to say they "think" that someone who is dead would support someone that is their american right. The songs I have heard of Johnny Cash would be for pro free speech.
Whether we agree or disagree is irrelevant, and I know more since Roseanna made an issue. Get over it.
DINGYat 8-24-2008
John Rich could never walk in Mr Johnny Cash's shoes, he sure struck up a Ring of Fire with Roseanne. Right on Roseanne.
sgt524at 8-24-2008
I wouldnt let RICH Milk Johnny Cash's Dairy Cows
Gary Lingerat 9-08-2008
The funny thing is that I am sure people think Willie Nelson is a Republican. Well he tends to side with the left. Not everyone in country music is some wholesome social conservative. It may be easy to assume an artist in Country Music is a conservative Republican since most are but that does not mean that is where Johnny Cash would be politically. My thinking is that Rosanne is right in saying that her dead fathers political beliefs should not be assumed. Each and every election cycle different people run and who's to say Johnny Cash voted straight down the line politically.
Anyway what John rich is doing by using Johnny Cashes good name is making him part of a reason to vote for McCain. The reality is that without Johnny being alive to state his own opinion it is wrong to use his name in such a way. John Rich is a fine song writer and a decent singer but he does not need to assume the beliefs of someone who is deceased. What he needs to do is make a personal apology to the Cash family for doing such.
Country music in the eighties was not so open politically and it did not matter to people what a musicians politics were. I know John Rich or no famous person is going to sway my political beliefs. John is free to be free and speak his mind but basically as a Country artist all he is doing is preaching to the choir and not winning over undecided voters.
jesdreamingat 10-28-2008
If Roseanne Cash and her family would give up their country because they don't like Sarah Palin, I say, don't let the door hit you in the arse on the way out. You won't be missed.
I am tired of hearing this kind of garbage from people who have reaped the best of what this free country has to offer...they have the privilage of making a living and becoming wealthy celebrities doing what they love because of people like Sarah Palin and her son fighting in Iraq.
Don't look a gift horse in the mouth or you will become the other end.