382 replies to this topic

[Kerri Howell]

Hi All,

Here is Kerri's opinion on the name for the bridge.

Folsom is a familiar town across the US and in Europe. Why? Because of Folsom Prison. Why do people know about Folsom Prison? Because of Johnny Cash's concert at the prison in 1964, because of "Folsom Prison Blues" and the movie "Walk the Line". When the movie was shown at the prison shortly after its release, Joaquin Phoenix was in attendance at the prison. A city employee was in Barcelona and Venice recently, wearing his City of Folsom rain coat. He was stopped by people all day long, in both cities, who read his jacket and then said "Folsom? Johnny Cash" giving the thumbs up sign.

The Chamber is redoing its web site and gets, on average, 100 hits per day, relative to the prison. Most of the people who go to the visitor's center at the Chamber ask where the prison is and can they take a tour.

If we name the bridge anything other than after Johnny Cash - it will be completely forgettable. This is a huge opportunity to attract tourism - they will come to walk or drive over the bridge just to say they did. Then, they will go to lunch or dinner, shop in our stores and maybe even stay in our hotels. That is just what we need, they come and visit, leaving some of their money behind, contributing money to build and maintain all the amenities the residents enjoy!

With regard to permission from the Cash family - I have been in touch with them, not only do we have their permission, they think it is a great idea, Johnny would have loved it and Roseanne, John Carter Cash and Cindy Cash have indicated that they would be here for the opening - if we name it after their Dad - they are also willing to help with press coverage. Even in a mediocre news week, I think we might well make it to the National news.

For those who think the decision has already been made - it has not, though you now know what I will be pushing for - and I can be pretty pushy! If you feel strongly about it - send an email to the Council members.

Kerri Howell

Kerri Howell

[ducky]

Thanks for clarifying, Kerri.

[Dave Burrell]

Thanks for clarifying, Kerri.

ditto -thanks Kerri!

[old soldier]

hey fiesty Kerri, great post and good work contacting the cash family. you may be too busy to read my prior posts, but I had the idea of a bench with a statue of Johnny sitting there. I was also thinking that with electronics like they are today you could get a motion sensor so that when a person walks up to the bench a deep voice would say "hello I am Johnny Cash"

the other idea I had was with some big put the money in binnoculars like they have at niagra falls which would look over the prison...when you put your money in the machine would start playing folsom prison blues.

[ducky]

hey fiesty Kerri, great post and good work contacting the cash family. you may be too busy to read my prior posts, but I had the idea of a bench with a statue of Johnny sitting there. I was also thinking that with electronics like they are today you could get a motion sensor so that when a person walks up to the bench a deep voice would say "hello I am Johnny Cash"

the other idea I had was with some big put the money in binnoculars like they have at niagra falls which would look over the prison...when you put your money in the machine would start playing folsom prison blues.

On a day like today "Ring of Fire" might be more appropriate. Good ideas, old soldier.

[Kerri Howell]

I like the statue/bench idea! There is a statue of Red Auerback on a park bench in Boston's Fanuel Hall - there are always people sitting with Red and getting a photo! I am pretty sure I have at least 5 pictures of my husband sitting with him over the years - I really like the music and voice thing too!

[camay2327]

Hi All,

Here is Kerri's opinion on the name for the bridge.

Folsom is a familiar town across the US and in Europe. Why? Because of Folsom Prison. Why do people know about Folsom Prison? Because of Johnny Cash's concert at the prison in 1964, because of "Folsom Prison Blues" and the movie "Walk the Line". When the movie was shown at the prison shortly after its release, Joaquin Phoenix was in attendance at the prison. A city employee was in Barcelona and Venice recently, wearing his City of Folsom rain coat. He was stopped by people all day long, in both cities, who read his jacket and then said "Folsom? Johnny Cash" giving the thumbs up sign.

The Chamber is redoing its web site and gets, on average, 100 hits per day, relative to the prison. Most of the people who go to the visitor's center at the Chamber ask where the prison is and can they take a tour.

If we name the bridge anything other than after Johnny Cash - it will be completely forgettable. This is a huge opportunity to attract tourism - they will come to walk or drive over the bridge just to say they did. Then, they will go to lunch or dinner, shop in our stores and maybe even stay in our hotels. That is just what we need, they come and visit, leaving some of their money behind, contributing money to build and maintain all the amenities the residents enjoy!

With regard to permission from the Cash family - I have been in touch with them, not only do we have their permission, they think it is a great idea, Johnny would have loved it and Roseanne, John Carter Cash and Cindy Cash have indicated that they would be here for the opening - if we name it after their Dad - they are also willing to help with press coverage. Even in a mediocre news week, I think we might well make it to the National news.

For those who think the decision has already been made - it has not, though you now know what I will be pushing for - and I can be pretty pushy! If you feel strongly about it - send an email to the Council members.

Kerri Howell

Kerri Howell

---

Kerri, thanks for coming on an answering some of our questions. I always appreciate it when you come on to clarify items for us. Glad that you got in touch with the family and that they are fine with this. Thanks again..

Cal

[tessieca]

I vote for Folsom Dam Bridge. It's so much fun to tell people to take the Dam Bridge!

Folsom Prison is well known, but it's not because JC sang a song about it. If that were true, you'd have to tell me who sang about Attica, Leavenworth, Alcatraz, etc., so I could understand why those names are so widely known. Prisons with well-known prisoners become well known.

Johnny Cash also sang a song about the Orange Blossom Special. I don't see tourists gathering on Orange Blossom Circle to take photos, ever. I had one old guy sing me the song when I gave my address once. Does that count as advancing tourism?

Johnny Cash really didn't do anything for this city, and naming a bridge after him would be such a tenuous relationship that it doesn't make sense. Sorry Kerri.

[supermom]

johnny cash--was a decent singer. Though he was always doped.

Do we really want to tell our kids we are naming a bridge after a guy who was always jacked up?

At least after the first few DUI accidents on the bridge we can start calling it the cashes curse.

(duck)

naw really--I'm really disappointed that we didn't take advantage of this great opportunity to really dig down into the history of this city and name the bridge after someone from the gold rush era. Like a prominent chinese man during that time. Or one of the first store front owners.

There was recently a great book that came out--that gave a huge amount of history--including pictures and diarie swaps--from people from a long, long time ago. The book centered on orangevale, north folsom, and roseville. Wish I could remember the name of the book. I saw it at Cosco. I was thumbing through it and was amazed at the photos and detailed notes. Dang I wish I had bought that book.

I know we can come up with a better name - to honor, than this.
Something/someone besides a drug addict.

[Dave Burrell]

Johnny Cash really didn't do anything for this city, and naming a bridge after him would be such a tenuous relationship that it doesn't make sense. Sorry Kerri.

a lot of people may be thinking otherwise...

What theme would you name the bridge after?

Johnny Cash [ 34 ] [53.13%]

Folsom Dam [ 13 ] [20.31%]

[Dave Burrell]

johnny cash--was a decent singer. Though he was always doped.

Do we really want to tell our kids we are naming a bridge after a guy who was always jacked up?

you are incorrect about that

[john]

the other idea I had was with some big put the money in binnoculars like they have at niagra falls which would look over the prison...when you put your money in the machine would start playing folsom prison blues.

Wow, that's another great idea. We could really be on to something. I'm really hoping to see this.

FWIW, those who don't think it would attract tourists - you probably aren't country fans. I'm not either, but he is arguably one of the most famous country singers of all time. He sold 90 million records... anyone that has enough of a following to warrant a tribute band is likely a very popular singer.

YES, people go out of their way to go to places like Winslow Arizona because it's pop culture and kind of fun to say they've been there. NO, people probably won't make Folsom a destination for a weeklong stay, but if they hear about the Johnny Cash bridge with the view of the prison, they may very well stop by on the way up to Tahoe, and hopefully stop for a bite to eat too.

That's all we can ask.

[tessieca]

a lot of people may be thinking otherwise...

People like their "stars." It doesn't mean Cash did anything for the city. Just you, Dave.

[Dave Burrell]

People like their "stars." It doesn't mean Cash did anything for the city. Just you, Dave.

hehehe yeah to me... and just a few million other folks... he put the word Folsom in our heads

[supermom]

you are incorrect about that

From wiki:

[edit] Outlaw Image
As his career was taking off in the early 1960s, Cash started drinking heavily and became addicted to amphetamines and barbiturates. For a brief time, he shared an apartment in Nashville with Waylon Jennings, who was heavily addicted to amphetamines. Cash used the uppers to stay awake during tours. Friends joked about his "nervousness" and erratic behavior, many ignoring the warning signs of his worsening drug addiction. In a behind the scenes look at "The Johnny Cash Show", Cash claimes to have "tried every drug there was to try".