Johnny Cash Museum/Patsy Cline Museum

Can’t you just hear that boom-chicka-boom guitar? The “Man in Black” wasn’t just a country singer—he was a legend all over the world. This building is two stories and the Johnny Cash Museum is on the first floor. A museum honoring Patsy Cline is on the second floor. You’ll go “Crazy,” as Patsy used to sing, when visiting these museums.

The Johnny Cash Museum was opened in 2013 by Bill and Shannon Miller, who were friends of Johnny Cash. The original Cash Museum was in Hendersonville, near Cash’s home, but after he died it fell into disrepair. The Patsy Cline Museum was opened in 2017 after Patsy’s husband, Charlie Dick, died and the Millers obtained access to many of her personal items.

He wasn’t called Johnny Cash until he joined the Air Force—he was named J.R. Cash when he was born in Kingsland, Arkansas in 1932. After serving four years in the Air Force, Cash moved to Memphis and began recording for Sun Records—that’s where he did his early hits like “I Walk the Line” and “Ballad of a Teenage Queen.” He was a pioneer rockabilly artist who sang country, rock and roll, blues, and gospel. His famous album, “Live at Folsom Prison,” led to his TV show in 1968, the same year he married June Carter Cash. In 2003, June and Johnny Cash both died—three months apart.

Patsy Cline was born in Winchester, Virginia in 1932—the same year as Johnny Cash—and her hits include “Crazy”—written by Willie Nelson, “Walkin’ After Midnight,” and “Sweet Dreams.” Her career was cut short when she died tragically in an airplane crash in Camden, Tennessee. She was only thirty years old but left us with some of country music’s most treasured songs and the memory of her smooth alto voice. In 1973, Patsy Cline became the first solo female artist inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame®. She followed the induction of the Carter Family—A.P., Sarah, and Maybelle—who were inducted in 1970.

Walk back to Broadway and when you get there, turn RIGHT—which is always good advice—and walk towards the Cumberland River. In 2010, the river flooded and this area was all under water. When you get to First Avenue and Broadway stop. Your next stop is Acme Feed and Seed, which is on your right.