Back row (L-R): Leslie Fram, SVP Music and Talent, CMT; Lewis Bogach, VP Series Production and Development, CMT; Ana Cristina Alvarez, fiancée of John Carter Cash; John Carter Cash, son of Johnny Cash; Brian Mansfield, Senior Music Writer, USA Today; Brian Philips, President, CMT; John Miller-Monzon, Director, News and Documentaries, CMT; Derik Murray, Executive Producer, Producer and Co-director, “Johnny Cash: American Rebel”
Front (L-R): Lou Robin, Johnny Cash manager and promoter for over 30 years; Karen Robin, wife of Lou Robin

“He was hard-headed and soft-hearted,” says John Mellencamp of the late legendary singer-songwriter Johnny Cash, in the upcoming CMT documentary Johnny Cash: American Rebel. The documentary will air Saturday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. CT, on the 12th anniversary of Cash’s death in 2003 at age 71. Indeed, the documentary aims to shed light on the numerous facets of Cash.

A private screening was held Thursday evening (Sept. 10) at Nashville venue Ruby. “It’s an in-depth study of the man through the eyes of those who knew him,” said Cash’s son, John Carter Cash, during the screening.

The documentary’s curious opening scene begins with home footage of Cash shooting at a crow. Upon seeing that he merely scored it, Cash allows the bird to nibble at his hand, before beginning to nurse the bird back to health. Other footage showcases Cash’s light-hearted sense of humor among family and friends. The scenes, a stark contrast to Cash’s somber onstage persona, are among many that highlight the at times mystifying yin and yang of the iconic Man in Black.

The documentary touches on the myriad of sides of Cash. The same singer that flipped off photographer Jim Marshall during a concert at San Quentin, went on to perform alongside preacher Billy Graham during Graham’s Crusades in the 1960s and 1970s. The documentary uses Cash’s hit songs, including “Hey, Porter” “I Walk The Line,” and “Folsom Prison Blues,” to chronicle the entertainer’s life from his days as a young boy in Dyess, Ark., to the rise and fall of his marriage to Vivian, to finding the love of his life in fellow singer-songwriter June Carter.

The two-hour special includes interviews with Cash’s children Rosanne and John Carter, as well as stepdaughter Carlene Carter. Willie Nelson, Mellencamp, Eric Church, Kid Rock, Kris Kristofferson, Merle Haggard and others offer their perspectives and/or memories of the Man in Black.

After the private screening, USA Today Senior Writer Brian Mansfield moderated a Q&A session with John Carter Cash, as well as Johnny Cash’s manager and promoter for 30+ years, Lou Robin.

Robin’s tenure as Cash’s manager included Cash’s career-making performance at San Quentin State Prison, where At San Quentin was recorded live on Feb. 24, 1969. “I said, ‘At least I know we won’t have to sell tickets,’” Robin quipped of booking the performance. The album went on to be nominated for several Grammy Awards, and went platinum several times over.

In 1969, he sold more records than the rest of the artists on the Columbia label combined. That same year, The Johnny Cash Show premiered, which aired on ABC from 1969-1971. Cash’s independent spirit and stubborn determination propelled him to advocate for featuring an array of artists, including Pete Seeger, Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, and more on his show.

The documentary doesn’t shy away from darker sides of Cash’s life, including his addiction to amphetamines, and the creative and professional drought he endured after being dropped from Columbia, and before teaming with Rick Rubin for the American Recordings series. The American Recording Series would spawn songs such as a cover of Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt,” which earned Cash a Best Short Form Music Video Grammy in 2003.

“It’s a great overview of the mystery, because it’s hard to fully define the man,” summed John Carter Cash.

1619 17th Avenue South and 1701 17th Avenue South.

Photos: Map Data © 2015 Google, Nashville Davidson County

A pair of buildings sitting at the top of Music Row’s 17th Avenue South have exchanged hands for a combined $1.58 million, reports The Tennessean.

Nashville real estate investor Treg Warner unloaded the properties to Music Row Holdings, LLC. The deal includes the 1925-built two-story structures (2,920-sq. ft. at 1619 17th Avenue South and 2,616-sq. ft. at 1701 17th Avenue South).

Nashville On the Move realtors had previously occupied the former property.

1619 17th Avenue South

1701 17th Avenue South

Brett Eldredge previews his album Illinois at Ocean Way Studios.

WMN/Atlantic Records artist Brett Eldredge welcomed industry members yesterday (Sept. 10) on the eve of album release day for his sophomore project, Illinois.

Artist and label held an album listening party at Nashville’s Ocean Way Studios, where the majority of the album was recorded. The reigning CMA New Artist of the Year, known for his warm, r&b-tinged voice, garnered three chart-topping hits from his debut project Bring You Back, including “Beat of the Music,” “Don’t Ya” and “Mean To Me.” Its sonically cohesive, polished followup seems a confident, natural progression.

WMN CEO/president John Esposito predicted that Eldredge would very soon see his fourth consecutive No. 1 hit with his current chart-climber “Lose My Mind.” Clocking in at two minutes and 38 seconds, Eldredge noted it’s the shortest song he’s ever written. Eldredge co-wrote several tracks on the new 12-song set, including “Fire,” “Just A Taste,” “Lose It All,” and the title track.

In introducing what he called “probably my favorite song on the record,” Eldredge said, “I started hearing about people getting engaged to ‘Mean To Me’.” Prior to a concert at Kansas Motor Speedway, a reporter asked Eldredge what he ultimately wanted to do with his music. “I thought about how I want to be that song that leaves a mark on peoples’ lives.” He told songwriter Scooter Carusoe, just prior to taking the stage, “I wanna write a song called, ‘Wanna Be That Song.'” Three months later, Carusoe reminded him of the idea, and they co-wrote the track with writer Ross Copperman, who is also a co-producer on the album.

“Sometimes songs come back from the dead,” Eldredge quipped while introducing the infectious “Drunk On Your Love.” “Well, it wasn’t dead, but it took a nap. We wrote it back in 2012.” At the time, Eldredge was neighbors with Hayley Stommel, who married Florida Georgia Line member Tyler Hubbard earlier this year. “They asked to used the demo of the song in their wedding video. They put that video out of their wedding and used a bit of the song, and we knew people would be asking about it. So we had to hurry to update it and included it on the album.”

The album is not without its share of heartbreak songs, most notably the Bill Anderson co-write “Lose It All.” “I love a good heartbreak song,” commented Eldredge. “I’ve always idolized Bill Anderson. The song is about looking back at how bad you effed it up.”

The title track was co-written by another superstar, Tom Douglas. “I’ve always wanted an album called Illinois,” said Eldredge, who thanked Douglas for making the drive to Illinois to write with Eldredge. He also mentioned that Douglas was hearing the final version of the song for the first time during the preview at Ocean Way.

Though only his sophomore project, Illinois highlights an artist comfortable with the array of styles his smooth voice can authentically cover. The project offers more nods to r&b and ’70s rock than traditional country. He welcomes current tourmate Thomas Rhett on the ’70s vibe of “You Can’t Stop Me,” and takes risks with the hard rock riffs and distorted lead vocal on “Shadow.” Even the creation of “Shadow” was less than traditional. “We started with a beat-box, a vocal, and a stapler I grabbed off a desk to use for percussion,” said Eldredge.

After playing the album, Eldredge offered an acoustic, live rendition of “Drunk On Your Love.”

Eldredge ended the party by having the crowd record a singalong version of the chorus to “Drunk On Your Love.” But first, attendees got a little shot of bravery via an interesting alcoholic combination of whiskey and pickle juice. Eldredge gave thanks to the label, his co-writers, the album’s producers, and everyone in the industry who has made his career what it is thus far.

Illinois releases today (Sept. 11).