Here are nine previously unpublished photos of Johnny Cash during a visit to Norfolk in September of 1969.

Cash had just set something of a Norfolk show business record over the previous weekend when he played to a packed house in the Arena for two performances with more than 1,000 people turned away for each.

The Pilot’s own Mal Vincent wrote a nice feature piece on Mr. John R. Cash and had a chance for a brief interview during a ride to Norfolk’s Forest Lawn Cemetery where Johnny placed a wreath on the grave of Judge George D. Hay, founder of the Grand Ole Opry.

During the drive to the cemetery, Johnny discussed with Mal his chief claim to fame as a child in Arkansas– the ability to pick 350 pounds of cotton a day. “I don’t think I’ll HAVE to be picking cotton again anytime soon” Johnny said. “I think I still could pick about 200, but I don’t plan to try it. I did pick a little last fall, to show June how to do it”.

June Carter was expecting their first child and was unable to join Johnny in Norfolk.

Johnny answered several more questions from Mal ranging from the popularity of country music to his television show and his desire to write science fiction stories when he settles down later in life.

Johnny instructed the driver to stop just outside the cemetery on Granby Street when a teen-age girl waved. She passed him a beaded Indian Headband through the window. “Thank you, honey,” he said as he waved back.