So young 31-year-old woman talking here. I did not really grow up with June Carter. I discovered her and her husband after I stumbled upon Cash's music. For me, this documentary honoring June was great because I knew so little about her. I don't know why I just felt a connection with June. Maybe it was her quirky sense of humor, the old fashioned Americana I miss, maybe it was the warmth in her face, there was just something about her I instantly liked.
I had no idea stars Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton knew June, wow. And loved her so much as friend. There's admiration of June from both young and old that was beautiful to see, clearly she touched a lot of people. You often wonder how someone behaves behind the scenes, when they're such a public figure. From all appearances June was very kind to most people, unless you were trying to exploit Johnny. Many people loved her.
June Carter gets overshadowed so often because of the great man she married, and their history they made together. She can be a controversial figure for some people, because of the love affair she had with Cash. Whatever you think of that, she deserves to have her story told! I think she deserves more than just the moniker of Johnny's wife or the person who was involved in a love triangle. She blazed many trails in her life, and I'm not a feminist but I was insulted to learn how the record companies did not want to produce her final solo record because of her age. She had a wild, intriguing life, who knew people like James Dean and Elvis at a young age and unlike a lot of people she got to fulfill some unfulfilled dreams before her death. She had a life that few people will ever have, and I think as a woman her legacy in Nashville was often understated. Regardless of gender, someone should be honored when they have reached a ripe old age and they want to leave a lasting legacy.
Her life wasn't perfect and what's wonderful about this documentary is they talk about the pitfalls. We hear Carlena talk about the first marriage that broke her heart for years, about the second marriage of convenience, about the judgment she got for being divorced in a very unforgiving religious era. The archival footage of those days was pretty neat, you don't get to see it mainstream anymore. And they're more honest about the weary years with Johnny. I imagine loving and being married to Johnny Cash was not a picnic, she had a lot of tough strength that most women would not have. You get a fairly clear picture she carried the both of them for some years. She really took the marriage vows seriously with him, when she could have just walked away and no one would have blamed her. And like many caregivers, she was so strong for others that her own health wore out. It's sad.
I'm really really happy to see that June is getting her honored due's in this , and it's not always sunshine and rainbows. People forget that June endured a marriage to a man with many struggles, had struggles herself. She chose to stay tough on the outside and didn't sell her dirty laundry to the tabloids, like many celebrities do, and for that she should be blessed. She's now in God's perfect peace.
And thank YOU to Vicky Hamilton for honoring June's legacy by helping her with her last albums. That was a respectful thing she did.
