June Carter Cash, the beloved country music legend, made an electrifying appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. The talk show crowd erupted with applause as June took the stage. Known for her charming personality and immense talent, June captivated the audience from the moment she stepped foot on the set.
June Carter Cash, who was set to perform her iconic hit “Ring of Fire”, expressed her excitement about her upcoming performances with her husband, Johnny Cash. The duo was scheduled to perform at the West Virginia State Fair and the Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, New York. June, who is also an author, teased the audience, mentioning a book she had written and intriguingly stating that she would reveal its meaning later in the show.
As June prepared to perform “Ring of Fire”, she expressed her gratitude for being able to sing the song. She explained that while her husband had a hit with it in the past, she wanted to perform it in its original form, the way she and a friend named Merle had written it. With her signature charm, June captivated the audience with her raw and powerful rendition of the song.
The crowd erupted in applause as June finished her performance. Following the mesmerizing musical moment, June sat down with Johnny Carson for a lively chat. The conversation took an unexpected turn as June found herself tangled in her dress, eliciting laughter from the audience and showcasing her down-to-earth and relatable nature.
Johnny and June discussed their family, revealing that they had a blended family with six children. However, June playfully corrected Johnny, revealing that the actual count was more than six, leaving the audience in awe of their beautiful and bustling family dynamic.
June’s warmth and love for her family shone through as she spoke about her husband and their strong marriage. She mentioned that Johnny had changed for the better, leaving behind his wild and rebellious past. Clearly, June’s love and support played a significant role in Johnny’s transformation.
As their conversation continued, June introduced a unique instrument called a “cletamont” that she had inherited from her late mother. She explained that the instrument was originally meant to play chords but her mother had turned it into something extraordinary by playing tunes on it. With great skill, June showcased her talent by playing the instrument, leaving the audience in awe of her musical prowess.
The talk show host, Johnny Carson, expressed his admiration for June’s performance and reminisced about the days when they performed on border stations together. June’s face lit up as she recollected memories of those stations and the impact they had on their music careers.
June Carter Cash‘s appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson was a true testament to her enduring talent and magnetic personality. With her captivating performance of “Ring of Fire” and her heartfelt conversation with Johnny, June left a lasting impression on the audience. Her love for her family, her musical genius, and her down-to-earth nature made her a beloved figure in the entertainment industry.
Originally aired on July 31, 1980
