LEGEND OF country music Johnny Cash was conferred with the National Order of Distinction in the rank of commander on Friday night at the 2004 Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival. The Cinnamon Hill golf course, Rose Hall, Montego Bay which gained its name from Cash's own Montego Bay
home seemed to be the perfect setting for
the citation.
The posthumous O.D was conferred on Cash as a part of tribute to the memory of the famed 'man in black'. The tribute and O.D celebrated both his contributions to music, and Cash's voluntary work, especially with the support he had given to Montego Bay's SOS Children's village.
The tribute began with a clip of Cash as he sang about Annie Palmer, the infamous former mistress of Rose Hall estate. After the citation, the family was given a picture of Cash's home.
The Cash band, with the eldest son, John Carter Cash as lead vocals started off their tribute with the classic Ring Of Fire, part of the impressive repertoire which earned Johnny Cash a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Along with John Carter Cash, the tribute performance featured Carlene Carter, Tiffany Anastasia Lowe, Theodore Rawlins, Chuck Turner, Jimmy Tiddle, Carrie and Catherine Marks, and Larry Gatlin.
The group performed a slew of songs including, 'I'm Goin To Jackson', 'Keep On The Sunny Side' and 'Sunday Morning Coming Down'. Coming as the penultimate act on a night which featured several genres, the tribute came just before a sterling performance by another country great, Kenny Rogers, who brought the night to a thrilling end. Friday night also included performances by Bobby Womack, Monty Alexander, Susan Couch and Elio Revé Jr. y su Charangón.
