On this day April 13, 1987, Johnny Cash released his seventy third studio album Johnny Cash is Coming to Town, marking a new chapter in his career as it was his first release under Mercury Records after parting ways with Columbia. The album blended Cash’s classic outlaw country style with a modern edge as he entered the late 80s with fresh material and renewed energy.
The album reached number 36 on the Billboard Country chart and featured a mix of originals and covers, including versions of The Big Light by Elvis Costello and Sixteen Tons made famous by Tennessee Ernie Ford. With his signature deep voice and storytelling style, Cash continued to explore themes of struggle, redemption, and resilience. Though it didn’t reach the commercial heights of his earlier records, Johnny Cash is Coming to Town was the beginning of a creative run that would eventually lead to his critically acclaimed American Recordings series in the 90s.
Fun fact: The album was produced by Jack Clement, a longtime friend and collaborator of Cash who helped shape the sound of early Sun Records.
Trivia question: What 1987 album marked Johnny Cash’s first release under Mercury Records and included a cover of Sixteen Tons?
The album reached number 36 on the Billboard Country chart and featured a mix of originals and covers, including versions of The Big Light by Elvis Costello and Sixteen Tons made famous by Tennessee Ernie Ford. With his signature deep voice and storytelling style, Cash continued to explore themes of struggle, redemption, and resilience. Though it didn’t reach the commercial heights of his earlier records, Johnny Cash is Coming to Town was the beginning of a creative run that would eventually lead to his critically acclaimed American Recordings series in the 90s.
Fun fact: The album was produced by Jack Clement, a longtime friend and collaborator of Cash who helped shape the sound of early Sun Records.
Trivia question: What 1987 album marked Johnny Cash’s first release under Mercury Records and included a cover of Sixteen Tons?
