A Johnny Cash tribute concert to be held in the Folsom State Prison canteen has been canceled 48 hours after it was first announced. The concert would have coincided with the 40th anniversary of Cash’s legendary recording at the prison.
The cancellation’s culprit is unclear: prison officials blame the promoters of the concert, and concert promoters blame the prison officials. Prison officials cite the “changing demands” of event organizers, and event organizers claim the prison officials broke promises. Ultimately, security concerns were cited as the cause of the cancellation.
The concert was to be streamed live over the internet on Saturday, and a portion of the proceeds from ticket sales were to be donated to four charities, including the California Inmate Welfare Fund. Members of Cash’s band that played on the 1968 recording of Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison were to perform at the anniversary show with an undisclosed special guest.
Johnny Cash: www.johnnycash.com