Photo by Daniel Hartwig
Folsom Prison Blues
Johnny Cash had a solid reputation as a singer and songwriter. The song, “Folsom Prison Blues” won many awards, including the Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance in 1969. The album was re-released in 2008 and was certified three times Platinum in 2003. It is estimated that U.S. sales exceed three million.
But, with this tune, he was forced to pay Gordon Jenkins, who first released his song Crescent City Blues, in 1953. Not only did the opening lyrics mimic the original song, but only a few characters were changed in his hit song. In the 1970s, Cash ending up paying a settlement of approximately $75K Jenkins, and his song marked as one of the most well known to get hit in court.
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