Where Corn Don’t Grow: The Fascinating Story of Johnny Cash’s Debut Novel
John R. Cash, known professionally as Johnny Cash, is an iconic figure in American music, famous for his unique baritone voice, lyrics that reflected his Southern heritage, and rebellious stage presence. While most music fans associate Cash with his incredible musical career, which spanned over 50 years and produced hit albums like At Folsom Prison and American IV: The Man Comes Around, he was also an accomplished author. In 1971, Cash released his debut novel, Where Corn Don’t Grow, which offers a unique glimpse into the author’s writing talent.
The Genesis of Where Corn Don’t Grow
As Cash wrote in the Introduction, the story originated from his own life experiences, including his troubled upbringing in Arkansas and Tennessee, and the struggles his family faced. The narrative centers around Willie White, a poor, black cotton-picker from Dorcheat (present-day Minden), Louisiana. Dorcheat, situated in Northwestern Louisiana, was a key cotton-picking region in the post-war era, and its hardships, both physical and emotional, were reflected in Willie’s struggles. The book takes the reader through the dark realities of racial inequality, poverty, and family tensions in this rural town during the early 1960s.
Socially Challenging Themes and Tone
Cash’s portrayal of life in Dorcheat explores many socially charged themes:
- Racial segregation and discrimination, which Cash felt was omnipresent, if not subtle, during the 1960s, the Civil Rights Era. He described instances of discrimination and abuse inflicted upon Willie, illustrating the racial tensions still rampant at that time.
- Poverty and class divide: Where Corn Don’t Grow offers an unflinching glimpse into the plight of African Americans, particularly during The Great Depression, a period characterized by rampant unemployment, low wages, and meager living standards. The struggles of individuals and families during this period have a significant impact on their overall quality of life, with no respite or support.
Cash approached these topics with a subtle blend of anger, humor, and irony, a mix that underscores the reality and emotion in his work.
Fiction and Poetry Influences
It’s well-documented that Country Music’s "Man in Black" had literary aspirations from an early age. In Where Corn Don’t Grow, the musical and lyrical inclinations are unmistakable, making this novel an exciting example of where Cash drew inspiration from fiction and poetry. Several prominent literary works and poetic devices can be seen at work in Cash’s fictional work:
• Raymond Carver and Kerouac’s styles, evident in the fragmented sentences, straightforward prose, and attention to everyday events
• Greek tragedies: William Shakespeare, a profound influence on literary classics, influenced Cash in conveying character’s anguish and sorrow, a nod to his emotional vulnerability.
• Oral tradition and folk balladry, reflected in Where Corn Don’t Grow through dialects and regional flavor
Cash has successfully assimilated elements from fiction, poetry, and the world around him, as he brings characters and scenarios to life within his own unique and lyrical storytelling.
Publication and Impact
Cash initially planned to release the novel concurrently with his debut album Welcome to the Club, but a dispute over music rights prevented this union. Although the publication took place almost two decades later, in 1987, with Wing Books publishing it posthumously, Cash saw his creation reach its final destination, where the reception was a mix of excitement and reservations.
Cash was known to have made substantial efforts in writing, not just about music or biography, but about broader life themes that connected all walks of society. Despite an unbalanced critical assessment for some readers who questioned his capacity for storytelling as a result, the core themes explored, particularly within the genre, earned positive feedback, while Cash, himself, described Where Corn Don’t Grow as one of his finest literary efforts.
Key Takeaways:
- Diverse creative expression: Despite his roots in country music, Johnny Cash’s debut novel, Where Corn Don’t Grow, offers insight into a side of him not initially explored, i.e., literature.
- Contextual representation: Through a small but intricately drawn regional American community in Louisiana, Where Corn Don’t Grow skillfully depicts everyday life within and against racially polarized America and socioeconomic conditions that persisted from post-war days to the mid-20th century.
Cash, the poet-singer, writer-novelist, was eager to break beyond his usual mold. As an extraordinary multi-genre creative, this venture has enriched his narrative identity. As "Country Music’s Man in Black" we’re still redefining ourselves regarding our artist’s journey with a creative odyssey that encompasses different genres, leaving behind unforgettable memories, all reflected through literature and life experiences, so rich and intertwined are they!