Johnny Cash Performs at San Quentin Prison in Front of Merle Haggard in 1959

On this day in 1959, country legend Johnny Cash performed one of his iconic concerts at San Quentin Prison, with future country star Merle Haggard in attendance. Cash arrived at the prison on Jan. 1, 1959 to play a free show for the inmates. However, Cash did not know he would be playing in front of another future country legend that day. Haggard, only 19 years old at the time, was serving a 15-year sentence for grand theft auto and armed robbery. He only served three years in prison, but sat in the audience as Cash played for the inmates that New Year’s Day… read more >