_____________________________________________________________________________ _ _ __ __ _ ___ \\\\\___| |_| | \ \ / / / \ | __|___\"-._ /////~~~| _ | \ / / _ \ __ ~~~/.-' |_| |_| \/\/ /_/ \_\ |___| _____________________________________________________________________________ THE HANK WILLIAMS APPRECIATION SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL 1978 _____________________________________________________________________________ First-class Cashes deserve a stamp _____________________________________________________________________________ *Please scroll down for info about the NEW the Johnny Cash Memorial _____________________________________________________________________________ Every year, the U.S. Postal Service honors 25 or so of America's most beloved people, places and things by putting them on commemorative, collectible stamps. It should go without saying that June and Johnny Cash should be given that honor. But let's say it and say it often. Retired Postmaster General Marvin Runyon, a local fellow, said it loud and clear. Runyon was on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry last month to unveil the stamp honoring country legend Roy Acuff, who died in 1992. That ceremony happened to fall one day after Johnny Cash died, and Runyon didn't hesitate to say that night that the Cashes should be on a stamp. Together, not just Johnny Cash by himself. Why? Because they were each other's other. They were married for 35 years, with a love story sprinkled with heat and hurt, respect and devotion. Together, they were a force. June died in May, Johnny in September. A stamp would honor them. ''Stamps are tiny little bits of history,'' said Beth Barnett, communications manager for the U.S. Postal Service's Tennessee district. ''They commemorate people, events and our culture.'' Commemorative stamps aren't awarded quickly or easily, however. ''In this case, since they just passed, it would be 10 years from now,'' before Johnny and June Cash could be on a stamp, she said. Commemorative stamps are issued to portray ''the American experience'' to a world audience, according to the post office. They are highly collectible because once they are all sold, that's it. Stamps have honored the Carter family, Patsy Cline, Bob Wills, Hank Williams and Tennessee statehood. The Ryman Auditorium was featured on a 20-cent postcard stamp. The Elvis Presley stamp sold a record 500 million. The requirements are strict: To be on a stamp, the subject has to be related to America, be dead for at least a decade, have had a significant impact on American culture and be nominated at least three years before the stamp could come out. Starting in 1957, the task of sorting through stamp proposals fell to a Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee. It has no staff, yet considers 50,000 recommendations a year about what should be on a stamp. The committee votes to reject a stamp idea, go for it, or set it aside for future consideration. That future consideration is what should happen here. Start writing letters now nominating June and Johnny Cash. The address is: Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee, c/o Stamp Development; U.S. Postal Service; 475 L'Enfant Plaza, SW; Room 5670; Washington, D.C. 20260-2437. Barnett said ''most certainly'' a flood of nominations from Johnny and June Cash fans can make a difference in whether they are eventually selected to grace a stamp. It's not bigwigs who influence the decision, it's ''through the community or individuals requesting it and submitting their ideas.'' The 10-year requirement assures that the stamp subjects ''have stood the test of time, are consistent with public opinion and have broad national interest,'' the post office rules say. Without a doubt, Johnny and June Carter Cash meet all those criteria. They will stand the test of time. Gail Kerr - The Nashville Tennesean - Oct 5th, 2003 gkerr@tennessean.com FROM: http://www.tennessean.com/local/columnists/kerr/ archives/03/10/40448908.shtml?Element_ID=40448908 ____________________________________________________________________________ U P D A T E on Cash Stamp 'Johnny Cash Forever' Stamp Released, Coinciding with Cash Museum Grand Opening 6/6/2013 by Jessica Ettinger Arkansas: With all due respect to occasional saxman Bill Clinton, Johnny Cash wins this musical election. The Man in Black, born in aptly named Kingsland, won new audiences with new music in even his final years (i.e., his haunting cover of Nine Inch Nails' "Hurt") and topped the Billboard 200 as recently as 2006, three years after his passing. Dozens of Johnny Cash fans lined up early this morning in Nashville to be the first to own the new "Johnny Cash Forever" U.S. Postage stamp. The first-day-of-issue-ceremony was timed for the start of the CMA Music Festival, and the grand opening of the new Johnny Cash Museum, a short walk away from the event at the famed Ryman Auditorium. “Dad was no stranger to licking a stamp,” said Kathy Cash, one of Johnny Cash’s four daughters. “And we have the letters to prove it. Mom and Dad had a four year courtship when he was stationed in Germany, and they wrote ten thousand letters to each other.” “And when he heard an up-and-coming singer on the radio he liked, he’d sit down and write a letter of encouragement,” she added. Legendary country stars took the Ryman stage to perform in honor of Cash; including The Oak Ridge Boys, Larry Gatlin, Marty Stuart, Randy Travis, The Roys, and Cash family members like John Carter Cash, who opened the show with his father’s “Folsom Prison Blues.” With the Cash Forever stamp, “we hope to draw people in who might have forgotten what it feels like to get that personal piece of correspondence,” said Susan McGowan, director of Stamp Services for the U.S. Postal services. Stamp enthusiasts are buzzing about the design, saying it looks like the sleeve of an old 45 record. “It’s highly collectible,” said McGowan. The limited edition stamp features a promotional photo for the 1963 album “Ring of Fire: The Best of Johnny Cash,” and is part of the U.S. Postal Service's Music Icon Series. Artists performing throughout the four day CMA Music Festival have been offered free Johnny Cash stamp t-shirts to wear on stage, in an effort to promote the release. We may spot one tonight on someone on the stage at the CMT Awards show at the Bridgestone Arena, or on any of the artists performing on the stage at LP Field over the next four nights. The Cash family and the Johnny Cash estate were not compensated for the use of the likeness by the Postal Service, which never pays to use an image to honor someone. Since his dad passed in 2003, there have been numerous stories and movies depicting the life of Johnny Cash, “but I can think of no greater honor,” said son John Carter Cash, “than being remembered with a U.S. Postage stamp. It’s amazing.” Johnny Cash Forever stamps are available today in post offices nationwide. A Ray Charles forever stamp will be released in September. FROM: http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1566148/johnny-cash-forever-stamp-released-coinciding-with-cash-museum-grand-opening ____________________________________________________________________________ *New Johnny Cash Memorial in Dyess, Arkanasas ____________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE SEPT 22, 2006 ATTENTION HANK/JOHNNY CASH/COUNTRY MUSIC FANS - Another Johnny Cash Memorial event is coming up. If you have any questions let either AJ Henson or e-mail me back. Thanks AJ. Robert Ackerman Palmer, Alaska ----- Original Message ----- From: "AJ H enson" To: robertack@att.net Sent: Friday, September 22, 2006 2:08 PM Subject: Dyess-Johnny Cash Memorial Event The next Dyess-Johnny Cash Memorial event will be Sat. 10/21/2006. Local churches will sing at the old Dyess School. Admission will be free to the public, but the hat will be passed for donations. I hope all of you will be there. AJ Henson mailto:dyess@midsouth.rr.com Check out www.dyessday.com UPDATE: June 25, 2006 ATTENTION HANK/JOHNNY CASH/COUNTRY MUSIC FANS - Here is some update on the plans to establish the Johnny Cash Memorial in Dyess, Arkansas... These folks need your help and support... if you want to roll up your sleeves and pitch in do e-mail AJ Henson at hensonaj@gmail.com Robert Ackerman Palmer, Alaska Town of Dyess Cash/Dyess Memorial Meeting 2:00 P.M., June 16, 2006 Conference Room, Dyess City Hall In attendance were AJ Henson, Jerald Burns, J.E. Huff, Ricky Sims, Tammy Henard, Renate Henson, Everett Henson, Corkey Wilson, Connie Harrison and Mayor Larry Sims. Mayor Sims called meeting to order. Jerald Burns stated that Melton Emery will bring the mule, wagon and other things. Station wagon that was in movie will be in Dyess also. AJ Henson has many vendors that have paid. Any that calls with tents or are self-contained can still set-up but will not have electricity. Parking is good. Putting up lines and spacing will be done the week before. More advertising is needed. The word about the event is not getting out beyond the local level. Outside areas are not aware of the event. Monty Townson needs to include on the website that the gymnasium is air conditioned. If anyone wants to add anything to the website they need to contact Monty at mwtowngoldl (a).yahoo,_com or call him at 870-764-2052. The committee is to approve any new things. The light and sound crew will need stage hands and places to stay. The sound man will be in Dyess on Monday, July 19th to check things out. May need to add some more electric poles to accommodate equipment. The cookbooks that Tommy Cash had promised to send have arrived. They will sell for $15.00 each. Tammy Henard has picked up the popcorn machine and it is at city hall. Tammy Henard has gotten the ink pens in that were ordered. It was decided to sell the ink pens for $1.00 each. The total cost of the pens was $304.74 and there were 1,000 pens ordered. Jeff Bailey stated that he would have an ice box full of ice the weekend of the event and would let us have whatever we need at cost. Mickey McArthur has volunteered to look at the chairs that have been purchased and to repair any that may need it. Tammy suggested that we ask local churches to help with supplying food for the hospitality room. A host will need to be in the room and that also could be shared by the churches. Coca-Cola has stated that they are interested in sponsoring this event next year. Everett Henson is to contact Fed Ex about sponsorship. Tammy Henard has made letters that are to be placed on the banners. Some of the banners are to be placed out at the interstate. Check and make sure that it will be okay with the highway department and then with Steve Wilson. Jerald brought up the problem of duplicate tickets. Will we have a procedure to check for this? Lou Robins, JR's manager, has called to inquire about this event. We just have to send him a letter stating that this event is not for personal gain but for the betterment of the town. He was very supportive. The sign for Hwy. 14 from Bud Fires should be ready next week. Tammy will check on asking Mr. Schaffer about doing some banners for the stage. He is the art teacher at Rivercrest. We are still having bands to call and wanting to play. They are being told to come on out and we will use them if we can. Jerald has a trailer that could be used as a band stage for outside. It was discussed to give the bands a plaque for participating. This could be done afterwards. Next committee meeting will be held on Friday, June 23rd at 2:00 pm. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. * Larry. Sims, Mayor of Dyess Lisa Wroten, Recorder/Treasurer _____________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE: April 4th, 2006 ATTENTION HANK/COUNTRY MUSIC FANS - Here is an update on the "work in progress" for the establishment of the Dyess, Arkansas JOHNNY CASH MEMORIAL. The entertainment line-up has started to form and so far we have the following: The concerts will include Tommy Cash on Friday the 7th of July, Buddy Jewell on Saturday the 8th of July and several bands are trying for a slot on the 9th. We just had a meeting last Friday to firm up some of our plans. Ian Cal-Ford from Wales - who has MASTERED the Johnny Cash sound, is expected to be there, but he won't be bringing a band. Ian knows the Tennessee Three Group and hopefully he will be able to perform with them. (I might add that I have live and recorded tracks of Ian and he is great). I asked "AJ" Henson about the disposition of Johnny Cash's boyhood home and he indicated that an individual owns the house and details are being worked out for possibly showing the house (more info on this is forthcoming). A picture is attached of the building that is expected to be where the Johnny Cash Memorial will be housed (with a statute of Johnny Cash to be built in the future). We are coming along great on the City of Dyess Reunion. If you have any questions on any of this please let us know. The minutes of the latest meeting on this subject follows.... Robert Ackerman Palmer, Alaska Town of Dyess Cash/Dyess Memorial Meeting 2:00 P.M., February 24, 2006 Conference Room, Dyess City Hall In attendance were AJ Henson, Everett Henson, Carl Bailey, Jerald Burns, Mary Slack, Patsy McClain, Frances Wallace, O.B. Gladden, J.E. Huff, Helen Huff, Larry Sims, Jr., Ricky Sims, Michael Duncan, Mrs. AJ Henson, Mayor Larry Sims and Recorder Lisa Wroten. Also present was Nan Snider (Gazette, Sun, Town Crier) and Pat Ivey (Blytheville Courier). Cake, ice cream, drinks and fruit was served in honor of Johnny Cash's 74th birthday on Sunday, February 26,2006. Mayor asked Carl Bailey how the personal information forms for the reunion/Dyess Day were coming along. Mr. Bailey stated that he had the forms typed out and that Mr. AJ Henson was to supply him with more info to be placed on them. The website for the Dyess Day event has been set up. The website address is www.dyessday.com. The website is under construction as of right now while Mr. Woody Atkinson sets it up with our information. It may be a couple of days before he gets it complete but he is working on it. Mayor asked Nan Snider if she had gotten a list of vendors for the event. She stated that she had a list of names and will email them to us. Mayor informed everyone that the gym floor is being taken up due to the water problems. The boards are in bad shape and cannot be used again. It would cost too much to have new flooring put back down so it will be left as concrete. The concrete underneath the flooring is in good shape so it will be cleaned and painted. The old floor tiles in the cafeteria and kitchen need to be taken up and new tiles put down. We are going to try to put some air conditioning in the gymnasium if it is not going to cost too much. The entire building needs to be cleaned. Michael Duncan was present and had brought a sample of a water bottle label that his company printed up. Everyone liked the label. It was discussed to maybe have two different designs on the labels in order to give people a choice of what they would rather have. It was suggested to add Dyess - Johnny Cash Memorial and the website to the labels. Need to come up with another label design. Everyone agreed to this. Decision to order two (2) pallets of bottled water. Each pallet will contain a different design. Michael is to check on price of water with suggested designs. Company has not gotten back with Michael on the prices of the t-shirts and other items. Patsy McCain brought quite a bit of literature from Delta Byways to leave with the city. Included with the literature are names and numbers for contact people. Patsy suggested inviting Ruth Hawkins with the Dept. of Tourism to one of our meetings to help get us \ going in the right direction. Mayor agreed that this was a good idea. Need to contact Hedge's Portable Toilet Rental out of Paragould to see about getting around ten (10) toilets for the Dyess Day weekend. Mayor informed the committee that Robert Yerbey has volunteered to make our "Hometown of Johnny Cash" street sign for free. He stated that it will be made out of metal. Need to get Robert a design for the sign so that he can download a laser image for it. Placement of the sign was discussed. May be placed in the field out at Hwy. 297 and Hwy. 14 on the north side of Hwy. 14. Need to check into placing sign here. Jerald Burns made the motion for Larry, Lisa and Carl Bailey to create and make changes for the sign. AJ Henson seconded it and all present approved. The Tennessee Three will be in Dyess on Saturday, March 18, 2006. They will be out here to visit and discuss arrangements for their concert date. They have stated that they will perform during Dyess Days and donate all proceeds to the Memorial Fund. The city will be responsible for gathering all needed equipment and instruments needed for the band to perform. Larry is to contact Trevor Chowning, manager for the Tennessee Three, to get info on preventing unauthorized videoing or picture taking of the concert. AJ Henson stated that lan Cal-Ford from England has gotten word of the memorial plans and has contacted him. Mr. Cal-Ford is an avid Cash fan that plays Cash music with his band. He is very interested in the project. Suggested that security services be provided by the Dyess Fire Dept. members and the Miss. Co. Sheriffs Dept. Will need to check into this. Mr. Stone still does not have an appraisal amount on the Old Administrative Bldg. He should have an amount within the next week. Mr. Stone has been ill and has not been able to get out. The city definitely needs to be cleaned up before July. Especially the properties along the main highway. Need to inform all residents that they need to start cleaning on their properties as soon as the weather allows it. The Dyess Day website (www.dyessday.com) is up and running. Mayor has donated the funds to pay the monthly fee on the site. It was stated that Rodney Crowell and Marty Stuart are big Cash fans. Need to get in touch with them to see if they want to participate. The next committee meeting will be held on Thursday, March 9, 2006, at 2:00 p.m. at Dyess City Hall. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Larry F. Sims, Mayor of Dyess Lisa Wroten, Recorder/Treasurer Reply to: mailto:hensonaj@gmail.com UPDATE: July 8th Reunion/Benefit/Johnny Cash Tribute/Memorial/Donations (interim info) ATTENTION JOHNNY CASH FANS - This bit of information takes on somewhat of a personal note (the information I am receiving is from my brother-in-law, AJ Henson, who was born and raised in Dyess, Arkansas and was close friends with Johnny Cash). There will be more information later but I am sending what I have right now - and it concerns the items indicated in the above subject. I am pasting the minutes below of the first meeting held on all these activities . If you have any questions let me know and I will forward them to AJ or you can contact the City of Dyess as indicated. Additionally, please pass this message on to all the fans on your e-mail lists. THANKS, Robert Ackerman Email: Hank1@mtaonline.net Palmer, Alaska ____________________________________________________________________________ Town of Dyess Cash/Dyess Memorial Meeting 2:00 P.M., January 20, 2006 Conference Room, Dyess City Hall The purpose of this meeting is to discuss creating a memorial within the town to Johnny Cash and to the history of the Town of Dyess. In attendance were city council members Connie Harrison, Ricky Sims, Billy Suthern, Recorder Lisa Wroten and Mayor Larry Sims. Also in attendance were AJ. Henson, Everett Henson, Robert Henson, Raymond Covey (USDA), J.E. Huff, Carl Bailey, O.B. Gladden, Johnny Harrison, Donnie Bailey and Charlie Stone. Mr. Tommy Cash was scheduled to attend the meeting but due to circumstances beyond his control, he was not able to attend. Mr. Raymond Covey, USDA Rural Development, was present and took the floor. Mr. Covey discussed the possibility of the town applying for the Community Financing Program. This program offers loans and grants to rural areas, with more money available in loans than in grants. The grant program guidelines require a certain eligible amount per city. Dyess would be 35% grant eligible. For example, if the project cost $100,000.00, Dyess would be eligible for a grant up to a maximum of $35,000.00. Mr. Covey stated that there may be other federal and state agencies with available grants for this purpose. Any grants that Mr. Covey's agency offers are for projects related to public bodies or nonprofit organizations. The grant could be used to erect a new multi-purpose building that would include City Hall, community library and memorial room. The only stipulation on the grant is that if you build, purchase, etc. a building with the grant funds and later on that building is sold, the grant funds have to be paid back from proceeds of the sale if the profit is there to pay it with. If the city went with a loan, the payback timeline would depend on the useful life of the structure. The timeline could go anywhere from twenty years up to forty years. The interest rate on loans as of right now is 4-1/2 %. The interest could be deferred for the first year and payments would be due thereafter. To apply for these funds, there is a form to fill out that requests the statistics of the town. Statistics such as the Mayor, the population of the town, the racial ratio and what funding sources the town would have to be put towards the project. The agency would also need a preliminary engineering report to provide a brief scope of the project plans, whether it be to renovate an existing building or to erect a new building. Agency would need financial records for five years to show the stability of the town and the non-profit funding. All of this paperwork would be sent to the state office for review to determine if the city would be eligible for funds. If eligible, the agency would set forth the requirements that need to be met by the town. The application would then be revised and resubmitted to the state office. When funding is determined, the agency will issue a '622' form stating that the town is eligible to be placed in line for funding. The funding timeline would be anywhere from three months to possibly two years. Funds normally become available in October, money is available in January and by May funds are expended. Mr. Covey feels that this project will exceed $100,000.00 and would therefore be required to have an engineer or an architect to oversee the job. He pointed out that with placing the project in the Old Administrative Building, which is an older structure, there would be two aspects that would significantly affect the town's ideas for the project. One aspect would be the maintenance and upkeep of the building in the future and the other would be the heating and cooling of the building. It would cost quite a bit to have the building brought up to the current standards required by state and local building codes. The building would have to meet all code regulations before USDA would be able to help out with any funds. There were no questions and Mr. Covey's presentation was understood by all present. Mr. Covey stated that we should feel free to contact him with any questions that we may have. With this Mr. Covey departed the meeting. Everyone present agreed that if there was any way possible, the Old Administrative Building should house the new city hall, the library, the memorial and any other necessary offices. The Old Administrative Building is one of the few original buildings from the beginning of the Dyess Colony, it was constructed in the 1930's when the Colony was first built. This building holds quite a bit of history for the town and it seems only fitting that city offices and the memorial be housed here. Mr. Charlie Stone is the owner of the building. Mr. Stone was present at the meeting and stated that he would get an appraisal for the building and present it to the town. The possible purchase of the Old Administrative Building will depend on the appraisal price. The second choice of housing for the offices would be the old Dyess Elementary School building. We may have to look at building a new structure to house the offices, if neither of the aforementioned works out. This will be discussed further at the next committee meeting. It was stated that a committee to oversee the project and the finances needed to be established. The following individuals were named to the committee: Larry Sims, Chariman; Lisa Wroten, Secretary/Recorder/Treasurer; Public Relations Officers, AJ. Henson and Tommy Cash. Other committee members include O.B. Gladden, J.E. Huff and Carl Bailey. Other individuals involved with the project include Connie Harrison, Louise Womble, Woody Atkinson, Robert Henson, Everett Henson, Melton Emery and Jerald Burns. The approval committee for the project will consist of the Dyess City Council members which include Connie Harrison, Larry Sims, Jr., Ricky Sims, Billy Suthern and Michael Wroten along with Mayor Larry Sims and Recorder/Treasurer Lisa Wroten. With a committee selected, a project name needed to be decided upon. Everyone agreed that the project should be called the Johnny Cash Memorial. The memorial will include items on the life of Johnny Cash and the history of the Town of Dyess. were several ideas suggested as to how to get the word out about the Johnny Cash Memorial to the public. It could be posted on websites, advertised in newspapers, mentioned on Tommy Cash's television show and could be posted on the Dyess Colony website. It was stated there are Johnny Cash fans that come from all parts of the world to Dyess to see the hometown of the 'Man in Black'. There have been people from Sweden, Germany, England and many of the U.S. states that have ventured into the Dyess City Hall looking for Johnny Cash memorabilia. The memorial would be a non-profit organization, therefore the town would need to generate the needed funds to keep the project going. Several ideas for fundraisers were discussed and will be looked into. It was suggested to solicit for monetary donations as well. It was stated that the Dyess Reunion would be a good place to raise money for the memorial. Also could check with different Johnny Cash fan clubs on donations. The town would also accept monetary donations from individuals. The town will set up a bank account so that individuals may deposit monetary donations to be used towards the upkeep of the memorial. Information on the account will be given when the paperwork is complete. Also discussed was the possibility of a day of special events that would be devoted to the celebration of the life of Johnny Cash. This day would be similar to the City of Lepanto's Annual Terrapin Derby. It would be an entire day for dedicated Johnny Cash fans to revel in. A specific date was not decided upon but will be discussed further at the next committee meeting. It was agreed that a sign needs to be designed and created to acknowledge Dyess as the 'Hometown of Johnny Cash'. The sign would need to be placed in a noticeable area upon an individual's arrival into the town. It was suggested to place the sign beside the Dyess Volunteer Fire Department since it is the first municipal building that is seen upon entry into Dyess. We will need to get information on the individuals involved with the creation of the City of Osceola's sign of the 'First Nashville Star, Buddy Jewell.' There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. LarryF. Sims, Mayor of Dyess Lisa Wroten, Recorder/Treasurer The Town of Dyess is now accepting monetary donations for the Johnny Cash Memorial. Anyone interested in donating to the Johnny Cash Memorial may send their contributions to: Town of Dyess Johnny Cash Memorial Fund c/o Lisa Wroten P.O. Box 49 Dyess, Arkansas 72330 EmaiL: cityofdyessark@yahoo.com OR Little River Bank ATTN: Cathy Turner P.O. Box 340 Lepanto, Arkansas 72354 Please make donations payable to: The Johnny Cash Memorial. An account has been set up for the memorial at the Little River Bank in Lepanto, Arkansas. The account is listed as the Town of Dyess, Dyess-Johnny Cash Memorial Fund. Individuals may go into the bank to deposit their donations directly into the account or may mail them to the bank at the address listed above. For further information, please feel free to contact Dyess City Hall at 870-764-2101 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday ~ Friday. ----- Original Message ----- From: AJ Henson To: The Baroness of Falk Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2006 12:49 PM Subject: RE: Johnny Cash tribute... We will be having a Dyess Reunion this summer July the 8th. We don't know his schedule, but we hope to have Tommy cash there for a fund raiser. Attached (pasted above) is the first meeting. I will send you a copy of the second meeting just as soon as it is printed. ____________________________________________________________________________ ADDENDA: LINKS TO JOHNNY CASH MEMORIAL ARTICLES ____________________________________________________________________________ Feb 6, 2006 ATTENTION HANK/TCM/JOHNNY CASH FANS - Here are some links for info on the Johnny Cash Memorial - Thanks to AJ Henson. Robert Ackerman Palmer, Alaska ----- Original Message ----- From: "AJ Henson Gmail" To: "Robert Ackerman"