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‘Man in Black’ Johnny Cash to be immortalized with 50 ft. statue outside Folsom Prison

by Leah Garaas

February 05, 2016

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Johnny Cash's iconic performances inside Folsom State Prison, the Man in Black will be immortalized with a statue of his likeness outside the penitentiary.

The statue, designed by artist Gary Tillery of the Fine Art Studio of Rotblatt-Amrany, will stand 50 ft. tall. The steel statue is nicknamed "Man in Black"; flame-shaped cutouts allow the California sunset to illuminate the statue at night, resembling a burning ring of fire.

The monument would be one of seven other Johnny Cash-related pieces along a 2.5 mile stretch of path along the Folsom Prison property line. Tillery hopes to have the monument completed, placed and dedicated sometime in 2018, but that all depends on funding.

Maybe Cash's statue will inspire Bob Dylan fans to again crowdfund the bronze Bob Dylan statue that never was.

Clean Water Land & Legacy Amendment
This activity is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment’s Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.