Hearing the stories and living through much of this guitar’s history, I found it fascinating on a few levels - hearing my Dad play this gorgeous sounding guitar and then hearing it while I was writing, recording and performing with the legendary Martin D-18 that Johnny Cash owned. Johnny Cash's 1954 Martin D-18 predates any Johnny Cash guitar in existence and is only seen with him in the first 3 years of his career 1954 – 1956.
Rosalie Linseman’s AFFIDAVIT OF IDENTITY:
“My husband Peter went to Fred Roden's Record Corral in Toronto and had his heart set on a beautiful Martin D 28 guitar. After telling me about it, Peter’s mother and I went to the store to put money down on this guitar as a surprise birthday gift. When we went to pay the balance of $100, which was a lot of money in those days, the guitar Peter wanted was gone! We were told that Johnny Cash needed the Martin D 28 and left his Martin D 18 guitar in its place. My husband was very upset about the well-worn Martin D 18 that Johnny Cash had played hard and then left as a consolation instead of the beautiful Martin D 28.
A couple of years later, Peter and I were backstage at Johnny Cash's Crang Plaza Jamboree appearance (now the North York Sheridan Mall), estimated to be in 1957. Peter encouraged me to go ahead and greet Johnny first and then offer this special guitar back to Johnny Cash. I walked up to him - I was quite a looker back in the day and he took my hands in his hands, as a greeting. I was impressed at how young and handsome he was, all in black even back then - wearing a black sport's shirt open at the collar and black pants. He had a tanned look and great smile. I will never forget that evening as long as I live!!!
After our greeting, I said that my husband wanted to talk to you about your Martin D 18 and offered to give it back to him right on the spot. Johnny graciously said no, I don't need it and you should enjoy it.”
Rosalie Linseman’s AFFIDAVIT OF IDENTITY:
“My husband Peter went to Fred Roden's Record Corral in Toronto and had his heart set on a beautiful Martin D 28 guitar. After telling me about it, Peter’s mother and I went to the store to put money down on this guitar as a surprise birthday gift. When we went to pay the balance of $100, which was a lot of money in those days, the guitar Peter wanted was gone! We were told that Johnny Cash needed the Martin D 28 and left his Martin D 18 guitar in its place. My husband was very upset about the well-worn Martin D 18 that Johnny Cash had played hard and then left as a consolation instead of the beautiful Martin D 28.
A couple of years later, Peter and I were backstage at Johnny Cash's Crang Plaza Jamboree appearance (now the North York Sheridan Mall), estimated to be in 1957. Peter encouraged me to go ahead and greet Johnny first and then offer this special guitar back to Johnny Cash. I walked up to him - I was quite a looker back in the day and he took my hands in his hands, as a greeting. I was impressed at how young and handsome he was, all in black even back then - wearing a black sport's shirt open at the collar and black pants. He had a tanned look and great smile. I will never forget that evening as long as I live!!!
After our greeting, I said that my husband wanted to talk to you about your Martin D 18 and offered to give it back to him right on the spot. Johnny graciously said no, I don't need it and you should enjoy it.”
Peter Linseman & Rosalie (Rosano) Linseman August 25th,1956
My parents were very generous and tried to give the guitar back to Johnny Cash himself as described by my Mom - Rosalie Linseman’s AFFIDAVIT. Shortly after Johnny Cash passed away in 2003, my father contacted the Johnny Cash Museum believing that the museum should be its final resting place, the museum turned down his donation offer and they answered back saying that they already have his “first professional guitar” and it’s on display in the Johnny Cash Museum. But from what we know, the Martin in the museum is not his “first professional guitar”. The dates displayed on it are ‘1955 to 1956’ and Marshall Grant loaned Johnny Cash his guitar in 1954, so Marshall could then learn to play bass for their BIG audition at Sun Records and the subsequent recordings plus live performances in those early years. Also, his “first professional guitar” in the museum is a 000 18 Martin and not the full size D 18 Martin that I am presenting to you today (Marshall Grant’s explanation on Wiki ***). The guitar was ultimately handed down to me just before my Dad died in 2007. I personally wrote a couple hundred songs on the guitar over the decades and the majority of them being country songs!
Over the years, I've brought this guitar to many vintage guitar shops, primarily in Ontario and in Nashville, Tennessee. I naturally brought it to the biggest and best Gruhn Guitars in Nashville, looking for a way to authenticate it or get a lead to somebody who could help. George Gruhn was a great connection and he gave me the contact info for Grant Marshall of the Tennessee Two. I was able to connect with Grant Marshall and enjoyed a nice conversation, where we spoke about this guitar. I told him about our story and he said that he remembers this guitar but wasn't able to remember any new details, nor could he authenticate the guitar even though he remembered it being the first Martin D 18 that Johnny used in those early years.
Larry Delaney who published Country Music News for over 30 years and is considered THE Canadian country music encyclopedia, ran a story that included some of the journey of Johnny’s Martin D 18 (below). Larry through his knowledge and the facts of the story and also knowing Johnny Cash's first manager Canadian Saul Hollif, Larry confidently published the story.
Over the years, I've brought this guitar to many vintage guitar shops, primarily in Ontario and in Nashville, Tennessee. I naturally brought it to the biggest and best Gruhn Guitars in Nashville, looking for a way to authenticate it or get a lead to somebody who could help. George Gruhn was a great connection and he gave me the contact info for Grant Marshall of the Tennessee Two. I was able to connect with Grant Marshall and enjoyed a nice conversation, where we spoke about this guitar. I told him about our story and he said that he remembers this guitar but wasn't able to remember any new details, nor could he authenticate the guitar even though he remembered it being the first Martin D 18 that Johnny used in those early years.
Larry Delaney who published Country Music News for over 30 years and is considered THE Canadian country music encyclopedia, ran a story that included some of the journey of Johnny’s Martin D 18 (below). Larry through his knowledge and the facts of the story and also knowing Johnny Cash's first manager Canadian Saul Hollif, Larry confidently published the story.
Country Music News Johnny Cash Tribute October 2003
Johnny Cash the Tennessee Two had approximately 26 recording sessions producing 61 songs written by Johnny Cash at Sun Records between September 1, 1954, and July 17, 1958, including songs like "Folsom Prison Blues" and "I Walk the Line". Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two debuted on the air on May 21, 1955 just a few days after the "Cry! Cry! Cry!" session, and three days before his little girl, Rosanne, was born.
The Complete Sun Recordings 1955-1958 (3CD) was released posthumously in 2005.
- Johnny Cash's debut single, "Hey Porter," was released on June 21, 1955, by Sun Records.
- While it was written and first recorded in September 1954, it was held for release until the following year. Key details of its release include:
- Format: It was released as a 45 RPM and 78 RPM single (Sun 221).
- B-Side: The single featured "Cry! Cry! Cry!" on the opposite side.
- Significance: This recording introduced Cash's signature "boom-chicka-boom" sound and his first rail-themed narrative.
The Complete Sun Recordings 1955-1958 (3CD) was released posthumously in 2005.
