August 7, 1954 – Johnny Cash married Vivian Liberto

Johnny Cash married Vivian Liberto at St Ann’s Catholic Church in Memphis. Cash had plans of becoming a Memphis appliance salesman, he instead formed a band with Luther Perkins and Marshall Grant, and was signed to Sun Records a year later.

In the summer of 1954, after having heard Elvis Presley’s breakthrough record That’s All Right, Cash contacted Sun Records. Unfortunately, Cash was initially “brushed off” by Phillips… repeatedly.

Undeterred, Cash sold appliances by day and practiced with his band, the Tennessee Two, at night. He continued to push Phillips for a meeting. After convincing Phillips to give him a listen, Cash performed a few Gospel tunes for the busy record exec.

Cash was tenacious and eventually won Phillips over with more songs delivered in his unique style, and Phillips conceded. Cash’s first recordings at Sun Records, “Hey Porter” and “Cry, Cry, Cry”, were released in 1955.

Johnny Cash – Hey Porter

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Johnny Cash – Cry, Cry, Cry

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