262 replies to this topic

[4thgenFolsomite]

On the radio this morning I heard there was an effort afoot to lobby the city council to change the name of the new bridge to the Johnny Cash Bridge. Anyone know about this? It would be a great PR thing for Folsom and a fun thing for future generations to have that as part of our heritage....

[john]

I heard about this too - please email city council and encourage them to change the name to Johnny Cash Bridge (or at least something different).

Important to note, your "tiny little voice" is not so tiny. When people take the time to speak up about things, change truly happens.

[Folsom Guy]

On the radio this morning I heard there was an effort afoot to lobby the city council to change the name of the new bridge to the Johnny Cash Bridge. Anyone know about this? It would be a great PR thing for Folsom and a fun thing for future generations to have that as part of our heritage....

Pardon my ignorance - how is johnny cash part of our heritage?

[john]

http://en.wikipedia....om_Prison_Blues

^ For those of you who are unfamiliar with Johnny Cash. The other day I heard someone say "I can't believe people want to name the bridge after a guy that served at Folsom Prison"... proof that this city is becoming far removed from the impact he made to the city and the music industry. We need to preserve Cash's legacy before future generations have never even heard of him...

[ChipShot]

Oh, no. No, no, no. Please God no. Not again.....

[folsombound]

Pardon my ignorance - how is johnny cash part of our heritage?

If you were in Folsom Prison way back when, he would be part of your heritage. For the City of Folsom, not so much!

[4thgenFolsomite]

Pardon my ignorance - how is johnny cash part of our heritage?

it doesn't matter where I have traveled in the world, when I tell people I'm from Folsom they say, "oh yes, Johnny Cash! Folsom Prison!" While he never stayed there as a prisoner, he sang that memorable song about the place, Folsom Prison Blues, made it world famous, and held a concert at the prison for prisoners in the 1960s. Joaquin Phoenix (right?) filmed part of the recent Johnny Cash movie there (here) in the recent past.

have you heard the lyrics of that song?

[folsombound]

Oh, no. No, no, no. Please God no. Not again.....

Chip, I'm with you on this one. Some people are trying to "cash" in on the name regardless of the fact that it has nothing to do with the City.

[Dave Burrell]

it doesn't matter where I have traveled in the world, when I tell people I'm from Folsom they say, "oh yes, Johnny Cash! Folsom Prison!" While he never stayed there as a prisoner, he sang that memorable song about the place, Folsom Prison Blues, made it world famous, and held a concert at the prison for prisoners in the 1960s. Joaquin Phoenix (right?) filmed part of the recent Johnny Cash movie there (here) in the recent past.

have you heard the lyrics of that song?

Ditto here

[4thgenFolsomite]

Chip, I'm with you on this one. Some people are trying to "cash" in on the name regardless of the fact that it has nothing to do with the City.

well, I'm not personally going to make any money on it, but it could be a fun tourism thing for the city. And Johnny Cash made Folsom a famous name. There aren't any famous songs about Roseville or Placerville. It is part of our history. And, just so you know, his daughter wrote a letter of support saying it was one of the most worthwhile uses of his name she had been presented with. I think Johnny Cash himself would be honored.

the bridge is going to right past the prison and may have incredible views of it. why not name it for him?

[Folsom Guy]

it doesn't matter where I have traveled in the world, when I tell people I'm from Folsom they say, "oh yes, Johnny Cash! Folsom Prison!" While he never stayed there as a prisoner, he sang that memorable song about the place, Folsom Prison Blues, made it world famous, and held a concert at the prison for prisoners in the 1960s. Joaquin Phoenix (right?) filmed part of the recent Johnny Cash movie there (here) in the recent past.

have you heard the lyrics of that song?

I too have traveled nationwide and worldwide, and it has been less than 10% of the times that people can make Cash and Folsom connection. I still have to tell them it's a Sac suburb...then they can place Folsom..'coz of governator.... and I saw the movie and it was a good one no doubt....

While I agree that Folosm Lake Crossing is not an innovative name, unless there's something more than the song, I am afraid I don't see dear Johnny earned a bridge name...my $0.02.

[ngilbert]

well, I'm not personally going to make any money on it, but it could be a fun tourism thing for the city. And Johnny Cash made Folsom a famous name. There aren't any famous songs about Roseville or Placerville. It is part of our history. And, just so you know, his daughter wrote a letter of support saying it was one of the most worthwhile uses of his name she had been presented with. I think Johnny Cash himself would be honored.

the bridge is going to right past the prison and may have incredible views of it. why not name it for him?

Because it will make people who don't know anything about Johnny Cash and his world-famous association with the town of Folsom uncomfortable, and we can't have that.

We should just call it the "Big Dip Overcrossing Passing Span"

[Darth Lefty]

We should just call it the "Big Dip Overcrossing Passing Span"

Or "Carl"

[Folsom Guy]

well, I'm not personally going to make any money on it, but it could be a fun tourism thing for the city. And Johnny Cash made Folsom a famous name. There aren't any famous songs about Roseville or Placerville. It is part of our history. And, just so you know, his daughter wrote a letter of support saying it was one of the most worthwhile uses of his name she had been presented with. I think Johnny Cash himself would be honored.

the bridge is going to right past the prison and may have incredible views of it. why not name it for him?

Well, while I still don't see why we need to name a bridge after Cash, but, have got nothing against it either.... no adverse fallouts whatsoever...

My kids and their friends who are into hip-hop 'alternative' music (I call it rap-crap), seem to draw a complete blank when I mention Cash...

Whereas, when I see Leidesdorf (pardon my spelling) - I can relate to it - 'coz he did a lot...he's mentioned in the Rail Museum...but 10 years from now, try explaining the name to someone - a guy who loved prisoners and sang a song about Folsom Prison....and thus made Folsom famous...kinda lame isn't it

[4thgenFolsomite]

Well, while I still don't see why we need to name a bridge after Cash, but, have got nothing against it either.... no adverse fallouts whatsoever...

My kids and their friends who are into hip-hop 'alternative' music (I call it rap-crap), seem to draw a complete blank when I mention Cash...

Whereas, when I see Leidesdorf (pardon my spelling) - I can relate to it - 'coz he did a lot...he's mentioned in the Rail Museum...but 10 years from now, try explaining the name to someone - a guy who loved prisoners and sang a song about Folsom Prison....and thus made Folsom famous...kinda lame isn't it

I think Johnny Cash, a world-renown musician, is more famous than Leidesdorff. I doubt that very few people know who Leidesdorff is, unless they've visited our museums or read a little local history. If we had a bridge named after Johnny Cash, our museums or tourism folks could be similarly involved in educating the public. It is part of our history. Its an historic prison. It's been in numerous movies. It used to provide the main employment in this town, second only to the Natomas Company. That prison is part of our history and Johnny Cash made that prison famous world wide. I am pretty sure tourists would be interested and it gives us something that sets us apart.