News Taffy

John Carter Cash and officials at Arkansas State University announced yesterday the lineup for this year's Johnny Cash Music Festival. Proceeds from the event will fund the restoration of the Johnny Cash Boyhood Home inDyess, Arkansas.

In addition to Rosanne Cash, the 2012 concert lineup includes the living legend Willie Nelson, country music star Dierks Bentley, and Grammy Award-winning duo the Civil Wars.

"When we were coming to Arkansas State, the Johnny Cash Music Festival was one of the events we looked at," said Dr. Tim Hudson, Chancellor at Arkansas State University, who has been on the job less than a month. "We talked about a lot of things, but we talked mostly about Johnny Cash."

John Carter Cash noted, "There is a great talent lineup for this year's event. Rosanne will be there to represent the family. And Willie Nelson was a dear, dear friend of my father and is very close to our family. He will do a great job along with Dierks Bentley and the Civil Wars."

Cash made the trip to Jonesboro to make the talent announcement in place of his sister Rosanne who was unable to travel due toillness.

"It is a blessing to be back and see the dream continue to become a reality," continued Cash about the Johnny Cash Boyhood Home Project. "I'm very excited about this year's event, and I know that it will benefit a great area and a lot of great people. It is an area that really needs help, and this project will help. We have a lot of good friends in Dyess, and the family is proud to see the project moving along. The best thing is that it is a continuing project, and we hope it will continue for many years to come. Last year was a lot of fun, and there was a full house. I'm sorry I won't be able to be a part of the music this year, but I'm happy to be in Jonesboro and at ASU to talk about the concert and the project."

The second Johnny Cash Music Festival event will be held Friday, Oct. 5, at ASU's Convocation Center, 217 Olympic Drive, Jonesboro. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m.