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Johnny Cash International: How and Why Fans Love the Man in Black
2023 Peggy O'Brien Book Prize, winner
Across all imaginable borders, Johnny Cash fans show the appeal of a thoroughly American performer who simultaneously inspires people worldwide. A young Norwegian shows off his Johnny Cash tattoo. A Canadian vlogger sings “I Walk the Line” to camel herders in Egypt’s White Desert. A shopkeeper in Northern Ireland plays Cash as his constant soundtrack. A Dutchwoman coordinates the activities of Cash fans worldwide and is subsequently offered the privilege of sleeping in Johnny’s bedroom. And on a more global scale, millions of people watch Cash’s videos online, then express themselves through commentary and debate. In Johnny Cash International , Hinds and Silverman examine digital and real-world fan communities and the individuals who comprise them, profiling their relationships to Cash and each other. Studying Johnny Cash’s international fans and their love for the man reveals new insights about music, fandom, and the United States.
Across all imaginable borders, Johnny Cash fans show the appeal of a thoroughly American performer who simultaneously inspires people worldwide. A young Norwegian shows off his Johnny Cash tattoo. A Canadian vlogger sings “I Walk the Line” to camel herders in Egypt’s White Desert. A shopkeeper in Northern Ireland plays Cash as his constant soundtrack. A Dutchwoman coordinates the activities of Cash fans worldwide and is subsequently offered the privilege of sleeping in Johnny’s bedroom. And on a more global scale, millions of people watch Cash’s videos online, then express themselves through commentary and debate. In Johnny Cash International , Hinds and Silverman examine digital and real-world fan communities and the individuals who comprise them, profiling their relationships to Cash and each other. Studying Johnny Cash’s international fans and their love for the man reveals new insights about music, fandom, and the United States.
270 pages, Paperback
Published June 1, 2020
11 people want to read
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
May 31, 2020
BUYER BEWARE: Your brain may be put to work when you read this book. 😊
The concept of this book is different than others that feature a well-known name in the title. While readers will learn about the iconic artist, the book’s focus is on the fans of Johnny Cash and the relationship each feels they have with the man and his music. Rather than focus on who Johnny Cash thought he was, as most books do when writing about a famous person, “Johnny Cash International” examines who he was when viewed through the eyes of other people. When you think about it, although we each have a personal knowledge of ourselves, it is that conglomeration of what other people think that truly fosters a public image.
The international reference in the book’s title reflects on the research of authors Hinds and Silverman. Both communicated with Cash fans from around the world, gathering intimate knowledge of their feelings and reactions to Johnny Cash and his music. The authors split these interviews and conversations into different chapters, separating the data into themes and thus making it easier to attain reader understanding. They first address the history of international fandom and then move on to spend a year examining the lives of Cash fans worldwide. I found myself jumping on websites to gain a closer look at the people mentioned as well as viewing performers on Youtube.
Heavily researched and detailed, this book ranges from interesting to just plain fun to read. A must for Cash fans as well as for those who are not sure what all the fuss is about. Five stars.
My thanks to NetGalley and University of Iowa Press for a complimentary electronic copy of this title.
The concept of this book is different than others that feature a well-known name in the title. While readers will learn about the iconic artist, the book’s focus is on the fans of Johnny Cash and the relationship each feels they have with the man and his music. Rather than focus on who Johnny Cash thought he was, as most books do when writing about a famous person, “Johnny Cash International” examines who he was when viewed through the eyes of other people. When you think about it, although we each have a personal knowledge of ourselves, it is that conglomeration of what other people think that truly fosters a public image.
The international reference in the book’s title reflects on the research of authors Hinds and Silverman. Both communicated with Cash fans from around the world, gathering intimate knowledge of their feelings and reactions to Johnny Cash and his music. The authors split these interviews and conversations into different chapters, separating the data into themes and thus making it easier to attain reader understanding. They first address the history of international fandom and then move on to spend a year examining the lives of Cash fans worldwide. I found myself jumping on websites to gain a closer look at the people mentioned as well as viewing performers on Youtube.
Heavily researched and detailed, this book ranges from interesting to just plain fun to read. A must for Cash fans as well as for those who are not sure what all the fuss is about. Five stars.
My thanks to NetGalley and University of Iowa Press for a complimentary electronic copy of this title.
Displaying 1 of 1 review