Country legends recall guitar pulls at Cash house

Thursday, 04/12/07

By BEVERLY KEEL

The Tennessean


Like much of the music community, George Jones, Tom T. Hall and "Cowboy Jack" Clement were deeply saddened by the news of Tuesday's fire at the former home of Johnny and June Carter Cash, but they fondly recall memories of guitar pulls at the couple's Hendersonville lake house.

"We were just enjoying each other more than anything and passing the guitar and telling jokes and this and that and the other thing and trying to write a song," George said.

"We didn't think about the road or all the other things involved in the music business.

"We thought it was like a nice gathering of people for a calm party. There was no alcohol or anything like that.

"It was just 'have a Coke,' and we all had a great time. It was something else, and they were just amazing people."

June and Johnny were in charge at the homey guitar pulls, held at a time when country singers were in the minority of mainstream music.

"They would make requests," Tom T. said. "They knew what people were good at, 'Why don't you sing that song you wrote?' It was pretty free-wheeling and a lot of fun."

One of the funniest moments Tom T. recalls was during Johnny and June's 1968 wedding reception at their home.

"Roger Miller was up on top of the piano selling albums and 8x10 glossies," Tom T. said with a laugh.

"That said a lot about Roger and who we were back in those days. Cash made him get down."

During that reception, Cowboy Jack and Johnny discussed the house's floor.

"Part of the ground floor is built on a slab of rock and it had a slight slant to it," Jack said.

"I told John, 'That floor is not straight,' He said, 'I know that, but it is imperceptible.' I said, 'Well, then why did I perceive it?' "

Jack also loved those guitar pulls, where famous faces such as Paul McCartney mingled with country stars and songwriters.

"I went out there one time and Billy Graham was there," Jack said. "He didn't sing, but everyone else did. And my mother was there. She was a big fan of his, and she got to sit next to him at dinner. That was the thrill of her life."

Tom T. said John Hartford was a popular guest because he could do so many witty and charming things with so many songs and instruments.

"I remember Bill Monroe being there," he said. "I was a little bit surprised to see him, because he wasn't a big socialite."

Johnny and June didn't sing lead much during these evenings.

"They made everyone else work," Tom T. said. "John would join in when they sang something everybody knew. They conducted the things. They were great hosts and paid attention to everybody to make sure everybody was having a good time. There were no wallflowers; if you got in a corner, they would drag you out in the spotlight."

After hearing about the fire, George could only say, "Oh, my goodness."

He said he "remembered the outside of the house reminded me so much of a hexagon shape or something like that. It was sort of round and it made me think of the song 'Ring of Fire.'

"I don't know. I don't guess John and June wanted anybody else to live in their house. It's amazing, though, that all these things happen when they do and pretty much coincide with each other. It's just something you can't explain."

Like many in the Cash and Carter families, including Rosanne and John Carter Cash, Carlene Carter isn't ready to speak publicly about the fire. "She is just obviously sad, as everyone is, because it was a beautiful home," said her publicist, Cathy Gurley. "She has some great memories. She is sad for the Gibb family. She is going to keep remembering the great times she had there growing up."