Johnny Cash 1976 Bicentennial Celebration in Rison

THE MAN IN BRONZE: A LEGACY OF ARKANSAS MUSIC

By: Arkansas' Land of Legends 05/19/2025

Arkansas has a new representative in Washington D.C., and he’s likely going to be there for a very long time. The 11-foot, 1,200-pound statue of music legend Johnny Cash was recently unveiled at Emancipation Hall inside the U.S. Capitol, marking the first time a musician has been honored among the monuments of elder statesmen and historical figures. Why? Because American history is written by songwriters as much as historians, and none captured the light and darkness of American life like the Man in Black.

The best-known Arkansas player ever to make the rounds, Cash’s is only one of two monuments honoring legendary residents of The Natural State in the Capitol, the other being civil rights leader Daisy Bates. Rosanne Cash, daughter of the famed native of tiny Kingsland, called her father a “redemption story” who “encountered darkness and met it with love.” With the vision of Little Rock sculptor Kevin Kresse, the immortalized Johnny Cash — always the storyteller — voices a distinctly Arkansas chapter in America’s cultural heritage.

BEHIND THE MUSIC

Johnny Cash fans will find even more musical history to explore in the Land of Legends — a four-county area in southeast Arkansas with a profound impact on American history. From tours narrated by Rosanne along the milestone locations of Cash’s early life to the larger music scene that influenced his signature style and continues to this day, there’s a lot to see and hear on this rural musical pilgrimage.

Two women stand in front of a wall exhibit honoring Bobby Rush, with various posters, photos, and signs related to blues music and the Chitlin' Circuit. The display is inside a brightly lit room with chairs, armchairs, and large windows. — Dive into the legacy of Rhythm & Bayous Highway 65.

FREEDOM & BLUES EXHIBIT

Dig deeper at the Delta Rhythm & Bayous: Freedom & Blues Exhibition and explore the racial and social forces that shaped the genre. With a focus on African American musicians from Arkansas and Mississippi, the exhibit remembers Rhythm & Bayous Highway 65 through memorabilia — recordings, photographs and instruments. Located inside the UAPB Incubator on Main Street, the exhibit is available by appointment only (except for Catfish Friday Blues and Soul Night). Call 870-534-2121 to schedule your tour.

LIVE MUSIC

Great music in the Arkansas Delta is far from a thing of the past. Live shows are a regular event in these parts—especially in Pine Bluff, and hearing is believing. Check out these spots and experience the Delta blues as intended.

A bearded man plays a keyboard during a live blues performance, with a bandmate playing guitar in the background and vibrant stage lighting illuminating the scene. — Hear local and regional acts during the monthly Blues by Budweiser concert series. Photo by Dave Sadler.

LIVE@5

Held the first Friday of every month at ART WORKS on Main in Pine Bluff, this concert series features jazz, blues and rock ‘n’ roll. Complimentary beer, wine and beverages are included at this adults-only event. Admission for non-members is only $10, and tickets are available at the door.

CATFISH FRIDAY BLUES & SOUL NIGHT

Enjoy live music and fried catfish on the fourth Friday of every month at the UAPB Incubator, located on Main Street in Pine Bluff. Entry is free. Catfish dinners are available for purchase and worth every penny. Held in the same venue as the Freedom & Blues Exhibit, this party is easy to find and open to everyone.

BLUES BY BUDWEISER

Hosted by the Port City Blues Society, the Blues by Budweiser series, presented by MK Distributors, comes to the stage the first Saturday night of the month. Come out to hear a variety of local and regional performers, like the Tina Cossey Band, Fonky Donkey, and Dirty Red and the Soul Shakers.

A woman dances with a red fan in an open-air pavilion at sunset, surrounded by others enjoying the lively atmosphere and string-lit setting. — Music that moves: Feel the rhythm at one of the many musical events in the region.

JAZZ ON THE LAKE

There’s music in the air (and on the water) every Thursday in May at Saracen Landing in Pine Bluff. Bring your lawn chairs and be moved by great jazz and beautiful views of Saracen Lake. The concert starts at 6 p.m. Entry is free and open to the public.

THE BLUES JAM

Don’t just read about it — be part of the music! The Port City Blues Society hosts weekly live jam sessions every Wednesday night at 8 p.m. at RJ’s Sports Grill & Bar on Main Street in Pine Bluff. Serving as a venue to blues artists honing their craft, all musicians are welcome to participate. The event is free to attend.

KINGSLAND HERITAGE VISITOR CENTER

The future visitor center is under renovation, with doors expected to open in 2025. This new attraction will be a full-time destination for tourists to take in even more Cash memorabilia. Handwritten notes, photographs, plus rare film and audio interviews from local historians and friends will be on display. Until the opening, fans can trek to Cash’s Arkansas concert stops.

Ready to follow the music? Build your trip around the rhythm of the region and experience all the Land of Legends has to offer.