Johnny Cash -- Lesson 1: Have some gravitas.

Johnny Cash grew up picking cotton in the fields of rural Arkansas before embarking on a life of artistic innovation (in addition to being a country titan, he also sang gospel, blues and R&B, and has a pretty strong claim to having helped invent rock and roll), familial commitment, faith and a battle against personal demons that lasted as long as his deep, deep voice -- a voice that sounded like it was carved out of the earth itself -- could keep singing. If country music has a conscience, it resides in the legend of this late great giant.

AP