Spinner

Johnny Cash's Scottish Roots Explored in New Documentary

Johnny Cash might seem as Southern as biscuits and gravy -- having been born in the backwoods of Arkansas, and made his name in Nashville, Tennessee -- but a new documentary explores the unlikely Scottish ancestry of the Man in Black. 'Johnny Cash Of Easter Cash' airs on BBC Radio 4 at 10.30am Saturday (Feb. 13) and recounts Cash's connection to the village of Falkland, in Fife.

The country star visited the area at least three times -- including once to film a 1981 Christmas special -- after meeting a member of the family who owns Falkland Palace in the late 1970s and learning of a number of Cash references in the street and farm names of the area. Intrigued, Cash traced his ancestry back to 12th century royal Malcolm IV, a niece of whom (with the surname Cash or Cashel) married the Earl of Fife. The singer also learned that his family name had apparently arrived in America via a 17th century seaman, William Cash.

The documentary sees Falkland villagers recount their meetings with the musical legend, and, later on, his daughter Rosanne. Ms. Cash reveals that her father was so taken with his Celtic roots, he even checked into the hospital under the name Malcolm during his final days.

A touching tale, but we should perhaps be grateful that Cash only discovered his Scottish roots later in life -- would the Man in Black have cut such an iconic rock 'n' roll figure had he styled himself the Man in Tartan?

All the AOL Music info you want to know

50 Cent, Street King: Rapper Visits…

The Boombox

AP Photo/World Food Programme, Rose Ogola NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) - Rapper 50 Cent…

Grammy Acceptance Speeches: Watch 30…

AOL Music Blog

FilmMagic, Getty, WireImage It's been a busy week for God. Besides helping…

Earl Sweatshirt Returns, Releases New…

The Boombox

YouTube.com Ironically, Earl Sweatshirt was one of the most visible members…

See all AOL Music »

Add a Comment

Sign in »
*0 / 3000 Character Maximum

4 Comments

Filter by:
smiffy

celtic roots ??? .... The man wrote 'Forty Shades of Green' ....

February 09 2010 at 4:13 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to smiffy's comment
gordon

Celtic roots, aye most Americans think Scots and Irish are the same thing, watch the New York St Patrick's day parade and you'd be forgiven for wondering if some of it was Scots Tartan day.
I blame Sean Connery.

btw King Malcolm IV's surname was Cash or Cashel? An odd way to spell Canmore.

Did you know that many of those architypal 'American' cattle barons of Hollywood cowboy movies in real life had actually immigrated in from around Dundee and Aberdeen?
Just imagine John Wayne as the legendary John Chisolm giving it: 'fit like ma loon, ye ken?'.

February 09 2010 at 4:52 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
TM

This is fairly well know to country/cash fans, south of Memphis Tennesee you find towns called Inverness,Aberdeen and Dundee so its a clear connection. Our mum sings country and has been on stage in Nashville with June Carter Cash and sang "Aberdeeen the prettiest town youve ever seen"
Memphis Tennesee legend Elvis Presley was also very proud of his Celtic roots, his home Graceland named after his mum whose family were Scots immigrants. big up the Scots!

February 09 2010 at 3:35 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
hughie

get this spam off this site!

February 09 2010 at 3:07 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply