Johnny Cash statue departs Arkansas for US Capitol ceremony

On Thursday, a statue of Johnny Cash was officially sent off from Arkansas to Washington, D.C., where it will be displayed at the U.S. Capitol. The event drew a small crowd, including family members of the late singer, who watched as the eight-foot-tall bronze statue was carefully loaded into a wooden crate on a tractor trailer. The statue is set to be unveiled on September 24, marking a significant moment for the state of Arkansas. This statue is part of a broader initiative to replace two older statues representing Arkansas at the Capitol, which had been in place for over a century. The Arkansas Legislature voted in 2019 to replace these statues with more contemporary figures, including Cash and civil rights leader Daisy Bates, who was honored earlier this year. Bates played a crucial role in the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School in 1957. Johnny Cash, born in Kingsland, Arkansas, is celebrated for his extensive musical career, having sold 90 million records across various genres. He is one of the few artists to be inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The statue, created by Little Rock sculptor Kevin Kresse, depicts Cash with a guitar and a Bible, symbolizing his deep connection to music and faith. The installation of the Cash statue at the Capitol is expected to attract visitors and serve as a tribute to his legacy. Kresse expressed his anticipation for the unveiling, noting the significance of the moment for both himself and the state of Arkansas.