Rison in Cleveland County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)
Cash Family Reunions / Johnny Cash, AKA "William Overton"
Photographed By Wayne Cash, November 8, 2021
1. Cash Family Reunions Marker
Inscription.
Cash Family Reunions, also, Johnny Cash, AKA "William Overton". .
Cash Family Reunions. Johnny Cash often returned to Rison with his siblings and father, Ray Cash, to attend annual family reunions held at the old American Legion Hut, which formerly stood across from the courthouse on Sycamore Street. At the 1970 reunion he gathered the family around him, declaring, “I am proud of my heritage and my people and it is good to be here with you this short time," while together they all sang an old family favorite. "The Uncloudy Day." He had performed this song earlier that year on the “Johnny Cash Show," accompanied by his mother, Carrie Cash. This, he claimed, was the first song he ever sang in public, at age 12, in the Dyess Baptist Church. ,
Johnny Cash, AKA "William Overton". Johnny Cash's grandfather, Rev. William Henry Cash, and great-grandfather, Rev. John Hubbard Woodson Overton, were well-known Baptist circuit riders who served as ministers for many churches in this region. In 1872 they helped organize the Friendship Baptist Association, which would grow to 35 churches in five counties by 1900. On occasions, Johnny Cash would use the alias “William Overton," a name he proudly put together from their names. Johnny Cash himself was an ordained minister and appeared around the world with the Rev. Billy Graham on his Crusades.
Cash Family Reunions
Johnny Cash often returned to Rison with his siblings
and father, Ray Cash, to attend annual family reunions
held at the old American Legion Hut, which formerly
stood across from the courthouse on Sycamore Street.
At the 1970 reunion he gathered the family around
him, declaring, “I am proud of my heritage and my
people and it is good to be here with you this short
time," while together they all sang an old family
favorite. "The Uncloudy Day." He had performed
this song earlier that year on the “Johnny Cash Show,"
accompanied by his mother, Carrie Cash. This, he
claimed, was the first song he ever sang in public,
at age 12, in the Dyess Baptist Church.
Johnny Cash, AKA "William Overton"
Johnny Cash's grandfather, Rev. William Henry Cash,
and great-grandfather, Rev. John Hubbard Woodson
Overton, were well-known Baptist circuit riders who
served as ministers for many churches in this region.
In 1872 they helped organize the Friendship Baptist
Association, which would grow to 35 churches in five
counties by 1900. On occasions, Johnny Cash would
use the alias “William Overton," a name he proudly
put together from their names. Johnny Cash himself
was an ordained minister and appeared around the
world with the Rev. Billy Graham on his
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Crusades.
Erected 2021 by Cleveland County Historical Society. (Marker Number 28.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1970.
Location. 33° 57.523′ N, 92° 11.361′ W. Marker is in Rison, Arkansas, in Cleveland County. Marker is at the intersection of East Magnolia Street (Arkansas Route 133) and Sycamore Street, on the right when traveling east on East Magnolia Street. Located at the Cleveland County Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 E Magnolia St, Rison AR 71665, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 12, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 12, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 571 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on November 12, 2021.
