I'm glad to see that someone posted Mitch Podolak's thoughts on the subject. As are all of us, Cash was not a one-dimensional human being, he had good & bad as part of his makeup. 30 years ago he asked Utah Phillips if he could record some of his railroad songs(I believe)and Phillips asked him not to. Utah didn't want his money coming from the Industry. Cash, who could have recorded the songs anyway, honored the request. That would make him a stand up guy in my book. Also, his recording of Peter LaFarge's songs was a matter of principle. Despite opposition from his label he cut THE BALLAD OF IRA HAYES as well as other songs presenting the plight of Native Americans, not caring if the industry got behind him or not.

Mark Ross