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Patsy Cline is best known for her rendition of the song “Crazy,” which was written by Willie Nelson. Similarly, Whitney Houston gained fame for her version of “I Will Always Love You,” originally written by Dolly Parton. “Ring of Fire,” a love song with themes of hell and brimstone, became a hit after Johnny Cash included it on his 1963 album “Ring of Fire: The Best of Johnny Cash.”
Unfortunately, the piece was authored by June Carter Cash, a talented individual who was often overshadowed by her husband, a singer, songwriter, musician, actor, and author. Kristen Vaurio, 46, the director of a recently released documentary called “June,” expresses her sympathy for June and highlights her as one of the lesser-known figures in the music industry.
Many individuals may doubt the authorship of this work, particularly in the city of Nashville. However, I believe it is one of the most iconic country songs worldwide. Unfortunately, due to the artist being female, she may have faced resistance in receiving proper recognition for her creation.
Vaurio’s movie includes never-before-seen footage from archives and interviews with relatives and loved ones, as well as well-known figures such as Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Kacey Musgraves, and Reese Witherspoon (who won an Oscar for her portrayal of Carter Cash in the 2005 film Walk the Line). It presents a new perspective on the impact of a woman who was not given as much credit as Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette for her pioneering contributions to country music, and who still has not been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
June Carter was born in 1929 in Maces Spring, Virginia. She began performing at the age of 10. Her mother, Maybelle Carter, was part of a family music group with her cousin Sara Carter and AP Carter, Sara’s husband. Together, they were one of the first to record country music.
Vaurio, who is located in Los Angeles, states that the individual in question originated from Poor Valley, situated at the foot of Clinch Mountain in Maces Spring. This location held significant spiritual significance for her and served as her home. Despite spending a large portion of her life traveling, the songs she sang, particularly those of the Carter family, were deeply connected to her roots in that place.
After the family act ended, the mother and daughters June, Helen, and Anita carried on as “Mother Maybelle & the Carter Sisters.” June played the autoharp and performed comedic songs with a exaggerated hillbilly accent and a big, toothy smile. Beginning in 1939, the sisters had their own radio show on XERA in Del Rio, Texas, which was broadcasted throughout the United States and Canada. They later became regular performers on the country music show, Grand Ole Opry, in Nashville.
Vaurio adds: “To this day, she comes from a family of exceptional women. I don’t believe there are any other women like them – with such brilliance and business savvy – who were able to achieve success despite the challenges.”
June’s attempt to establish herself as a solo artist faced challenges due to the societal norms of the time, where a female performer in a touring group was often labeled as a “girl singer”. Vaurio also notes that there was hesitance in signing women to recording deals because they believed female artists would not be successful. June had to overcome these obstacles in her career.
Each individual exists in their own specific time and location, and at that moment, she was in Nashville during the 1950s, striving to establish herself independently. While she may not have identified as a feminist, she embodied its principles.
June and country crooner Carl Smith were the “it” duo of their time at the Grand Ole Opry. However, their union ended in divorce after only four years, causing quite a stir at the time. According to their daughter Carlene Carter in the movie, Smith later admitted that June never truly loved him, but rather the idea of him.
Carlene, a producer for the new documentary, shares in a Zoom interview from Nashville that she was very young when her parents separated and has limited memories of them spending time together in the same room. She clarifies that this does not mean they didn’t get along.
My mother held onto a lot of pain for many years, but she never spoke ill of my father. They had a strong connection during their professional lives and worked well together. However, their desires for life were different. My father always believed that country music allowed him to live as he wanted, as a cowboy.
During the 1950s, The Carters went on tour with Elvis Presley. Carlene, who is now 68 years old, would often inquire about her mother’s relationship with Elvis. However, June would turn red, laugh, and deny any romantic involvement. She always described Elvis as a kind and talented young man, who was also tormented by the pressures of fame, something that many superstars experience.
“They were close companions. He would often visit our home when I was an infant, craving a sandwich. It was usually just the nanny and I there, both fast asleep, while Elvis made himself a sandwich downstairs – most likely with peanut butter and bacon.”
In the late 1950s, June relocated to New York to pursue her studies in acting after being recommended by director Elia Kazan, who had observed her talents while searching for filming sites in Tennessee. She wedded Edwin “Rip” Nix, a retired football player and law enforcement officer, in 1957. They welcomed a daughter, Rosie Nix Adams, but ended their marriage in 1966.
In 1961, the Carters joined Johnny Cash on tour. While Helen and Anita took a break to focus on raising their families, June remained by Cash’s side. As Cash struggled with drug addiction and outbursts on stage, June took action by locating and disposing of his pills. She also assisted him in seeking counseling and encouraged her daughters to pray for him.
In his memoir, Cash recounted how June remained by his side during his struggles with drug addiction. He stated, “June understood me – understood my core, buried beneath the drugs, lies, hopelessness, rage, and self-centeredness, and understood my feelings of isolation. She believed she could assist me… Whenever she discovered my pills, she would dispose of them. And she always found them; she was relentless in her search.”
In Ring of Fire, June expressed her experience of falling in love with Cash despite his harmful actions. Carlene was present during its writing process and remembers June playing it on the autoharp and then attempting it on the guitar.
She took detailed notes and eventually hosted a party with friends, including musician Merle Kilgore who had been supporting her with the song. She played it for him and he provided some encouragement. She wrote the song and I remember excitedly telling all of my mom’s friends, “My mom has written a new song!” We didn’t realize it was going to be a hit at the time, we just had high hopes for it.
Cash was responsible for recording the song, which was officially credited to June and Kilgore. It reached the number one spot on the US country chart in 1963. Carlene, who is also a country singer and songwriter, shares her thoughts: “Perhaps people underestimate her. They think a woman is not capable of writing a song like that. Well, I challenge that belief. Mae Boren Axton wrote ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ and it was a huge success. There are many talented female songwriters, including Maybelle and Sara and the Carters. Writing songs was the cornerstone of their music.”
“My mother’s best piece of advice to me was that there are no set rules. You’ll know if it’s a good piece of advice when you receive it. For example, she jokingly mentioned that if I could write a simple song like ‘Ring of Fire’ for Johnny Cash, then I would know I have succeeded.”
“She was completely earnest, gazing directly into my eyes as she shared her thoughts, and I heeded her words. She was also my greatest supporter, accompanying me wherever I went and constantly praising me to others. She took pride in her children and in knowing that we would continue the musical legacy in our own ways. Continuing the music was a significant goal for her.”
In 1961, June declined an opportunity to join a variety show and chose to embark on a tour with Cash for a weekly salary of $500. After both divorcing in 1966, they tied the knot two years later when he proposed to her on stage in London, Ontario, Canada. They welcomed a son, John Carter Cash, in 1970.
According to Carlene, John’s favorite thing in the world was June. Whenever she entered a room, he would become filled with joy. He longed for her presence and would often call Carlene asking about her whereabouts. When told that they were out shopping, he would eagerly inquire about when June would be returning home so he could see her.
My mother and her partner shared a strong bond of love and admiration, which my sister and I were fortunate enough to witness. Their relationship was filled with mutual respect and adoration, and it was heartwarming to see my mother in love. Although they faced challenges like any couple, we saw their love and commitment every day, even when my younger brother joined our family. While there were some bumps along the way, it was a normal part of their journey.
June and Cash collaborated on both recordings and live performances, showcasing popular songs such as Jackson and If I Were a Carpenter. These songs earned Grammy awards in 1967 and 1970. They also sang duets like It Ain’t Me Babe in 1964 and If I Had a Hammer in 1972. As time passed, they frequently shared the stage with evangelist Billy Graham. Cash’s struggles with addiction resurfaced, leading to strain in their marriage until he sought help in rehab.
June took on occasional acting roles, such as playing Robert Duvall’s mother in the 1997 movie The Apostle. In 1999, she released an acoustic album titled Press On, marking her return to music after a 25-year hiatus. The album chronicled her career from the beginning and also reflected on her 31-year marriage and musical partnership with Cash. The making of Press On is documented in archival footage featured in the Paramount+ documentary.
Carlene remembers that June struggled with the fact that she had always been a performer and had never taken a break from touring. Despite this challenge, June was able to release a record, perform in shows, and win Grammys in her 70s, which serves as inspiration for all women. Carlene expresses her pride in June’s accomplishments.
In 2003, June passed away at the age of 73 due to complications from heart surgery. Cash was by her side during her final moments. The Associated Press, Guardian, New York Times, and other sources all mentioned her husband’s fame in the first paragraph of their obituaries. However, Vaurio’s film aims to challenge this narrative.
She expresses her desire for June Carter Cash to be recognized as her own artist, rather than simply being referred to as Johnny’s wife. The fact that she pursued her career until the end is a source of inspiration and a valuable lesson for anyone.
Carlene expresses her desire for the documentary to showcase her mother’s incredible qualities, both the good and the bad. She believes that every aspect of her mother’s life is fascinating and always full of excitement.
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The month of June is now offered on Paramount+.
Source: theguardian.com
