John Carter Cash Honors Father’s Memory at Lecture
Mark Stipler watches while John Carter Cash speaks at the Johnny Cash: Lyrics and Legacy panel Oct. 30. The panel was held in Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel and is part of EU’s annual intercultural lecture series. (PC: Ian Murphy)
John Carter Cash joined fans, musicians, and students at Elmhurst University to celebrate the words and legacy of his father, Johnny Cash, through a conversation about author and longtime Johnny Cash historian Mark Stielper’s new book, “The Complete Johnny Cash: Lyrics from a Lifetime of Songwriting.”
Held Oct. 30 in Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel, the lecture featured Carter Cash and Stielper in conversation with radio personality and EU alumna Terri Hemmert, who moderated the event. Hemmert previously returned to EU on Nov. 14, 2024, to deliver the Roland Quest Lecture.
Stielper’s new book, with an introduction from Carter Cash, features lyrics from over 500 songs. including many unreleased writings and poetry.
“From this point on, there is going to be that standard tome that will be sitting in the libraries; in the homes of every educated person in America, I think should have one,” said Carter Cash in an interview with the Leader. “There’s a Bob Dylan book, there’s a Paul McCartney book — and now there’s a Johnny Cash book.”
Carter Cash said the book means a lot to his family, describing it as both a record of his father’s words and a way to preserve his spirit. He explained how it was important to honor his father as both a musician and a good man.
“I loved the man, and he was larger than life,” said Carter Cash. “He cared about people and about humanity. He sang the songs [at prisons] — and that’s why he connected so well, because he was honest. He did it for the right reasons.”
Carter Cash described the book as “a focus on the words,” rather than the myth.
“If you strip all that away — his life story, his sound — you have the words,” he said. “I hope that when someone opens this book, they can resonate with his words, because they’re just beautiful lyrics.”
Stielper, who has chronicled Johnny Cash’s life for nearly 40 years, recalled the country icon’s lack of a writing schedule.
“That’s not what Johnny did. He did not like to write on demand,” Stielper said.
“Dad would write when it came to him,” said Carter Cash. “He didn’t set dates on the calendar to go write. He set time to be alone and to rest after he was on the road, and then he would usually write when he did that. He never went to a room to go write a song. That’s just not how he did things.”
The book also shines a light on Johnny Cash’s strength as a writer.
“This book is different,” said Hemmert. “Almost like picking up scripture. You don’t just read from the start to end.”
Hemmert, who received an honorary doctorate from EU in 2017, guided the discussion through humorous and heartfelt moments, drawing out personal reflections from both Stiepler and Carter Cash. She recalled her own early days working at the EU’s campus radio station, WRSE, and said hosting the event felt like coming full circle.
The evening concluded with Carter Cash performing “Can the Circle Be Unbroken (By and By),” a Carter Family classic that was echoed back by the audience, highlighting the fans who packed the chapel’s devotion to Johnny Cash’s legacy, connection, and enduring music.
About 90 music students at EU had the opportunity to speak to Carter Cash, an award-winning record producer, singer-songwriter, film producer, and director himself.
“The energy on this campus is just great,” Carter Cash told the crowd. “The kids are fantastic, and their love of music shows no bounds. I hope someone here can see our records and share in the legacy.”
Carter Cash plans to continue to honor his father’s legacy. He is currently involved with a documentary about Johnny Cash’s life in Jamaica because he had a home there.
“Everybody had their own Johnny,” said Carter Cash. “That’s what made him so powerful. I think we’re all a lot more connected in our personal journeys than most people realize.”
