1968 Prison Gig Ranked No. 1 in Live Country Performances

Country performances stand out from other genres. The focus is usually on the instruments, lyrics, and possibly a great collaboration between artists. There was a ranking of live country performances and the one on top has a unique setting.

Johnny Cash’s Folsom Prison Performance Ranked No. 1

MsMojo gave a top 10 list of the greatest live country music performances. Buck Owens & The Buckaroos placed fifth for their Carnegie Hall performance in 1966. They were the first country band to record an album in the venue.

Related:Elton John Fans Debated If 1974 Song Was Revenge or a Joke

The second was Dolly Parton saying goodbye to her collaborator Porter Wagoner with “I’ll Always Love You.” She was ready to step out on her own, but wanted to leave him with the sweet song. The personal song became a hit and gained new life with Whitney Houston’s cover.

Johnny Cash’s live recording at California’s Folsom Prison on January 13, 1968, took the top spot. He was adamant about performing his album, At Folsom Prison, in the prison. That dream came true 13 years after he released the song, “Folsom Prison Blues.”

His time serving in the Air Force in Germany inspired the idea when his unit watched Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison. His drummer gave another reason for his goal. “One thing he liked about playing prisons: If he did something the audience didn’t like, they couldn’t leave,” W.S. “Fluke” Holland said, according to NPR.

The release of the album revitalized his career, which had been hurt because of his addiction. “Folsom Prison Blues” was awarded a Grammy for Best Male Vocal Performance.

The performance was entered into the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry. The album was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Lastly, the performance was depicted in 2005’s Walk the Line starring Joaquin Phoenixas the country legend.

Related: Reba McEntire Shares Big Hair Throwback Photo, ‘He Made Me a Mother’