Who is Johnny Cash's sister? Presently blind Joanne Cash feels her brother's newly unveiled statue at the US Capitol through her hands

On Tuesday, September 24, the US Capitol Building unveiled the statue of Johnny Cash, making him the first musician to ever be depicted upon the 100 monuments in the Capitol. The Arkansas State Legislature passed a bill in 2019 to replace the two existing statues at the US Capitol Building with sculptures of Cash and civil rights activist Daisy Bates.

Cash is one of the best-selling musicians of all time, having sold over 90 million records to date. Born on February 26, 1932, Johnny Cash's work spanned a multitude of genres including rock and roll, folk, country, hip-hop, and gospel music. Cash died in 2003 at the age of 73.

Cash's younger sister Joanne was also there at the unveiling of her brother's statue. Presently blind, the 54-year-old took a moment to feel the lower part of the statue, saying:

“I'm very careful not to put words in his mouth since his passing. But on this day, I can safely say, that he would feel that of all the many honors and accolades he received in his lifetime, this is the ultimate.”

The statue is eight feet tall and depicts Johnny with a guitar strapped to his back and a Bible in his hand. It has slick black hair with a bowed head. The singer's daughter Rosanne Cash was also present at the ceremony and commented:

“You see this statue, and you know this is no one else but Johnny Cash.”

Cash is one of the two people whose sculptures were newly installed at the Capitol. Activist Daisy Bates' statue was unveiled back in May. She was a journalist, publisher, human rights activist, and lecturer who played a crucial role during the Little Rock Crisis of 1957.

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Who is Joanne Cash? Exploring the life of Johnny Cash's sister

Photo of Johnny CASH - Source: Getty (Photo by GAB Archive/Redferns)

Joanne Cash is the younger sister of Johnny and has taken huge strides in the music industry like her older brother. At present, Joanne has 26 recordings, numerous concert appearances, and one acclaimed autobiography called My Fears Are Gone.

Joanne Cash grew up in Arkansas with her brother Johnny, and other siblings Reba, Tommy, Jack, Roy, and Louise. Her first musical calling came when she started working at the House of Cash - Johnny Cash's famous recording studio which was later turned into a music museum.

During that time, Joanne met her husband Dr. Harry Yates, and the two got married on December 27, 1971. The two soon established the Nashville Cowboy Church, which grew larger over time and was eventually transferred to the Texas Troubadour Theatre. Johnny Cash often held events at the theater during his performing days.

Joanne Cash released her acclaimed album called Gospel in 2007 containing fifteen hymns and and original tracks like Cotton, Popcorn, Peanuts, and Jesus, Glory Glory. It also contained Meet Me in Heaven, one of the last songs written by Johnny Cash and sung by Joanne and Johnny together,

Additional cuts of that album also contain the songs Lower Lights, and Softly and Tenderly - the last two songs officially recorded by Joanne and Johnny together.