Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

CASH, Rosanne

(b 24 May '55, Memphis TN) Successful pop/country singer, one of four daughters from Johnny Cash's first marriage. Worked for CBS records in London; studied drama; signed to Arista Records Germany '77, switched to American CBS. LP Right Or Wrong '79 incl. duet hit with Bobby Bare 'No Memories Hangin' Round'. Married singer/songwriter Rodney Crowell '79; he prod. her second LP Seven Year Ache '81, incl. two no. 1 country singles ('My Baby Thinks She's A Train' had harmony with Rosemary Butler and Emmylou Harris), LP went gold and title track made pop top 30. Somewhere In The Stars '82 followed by biographical concept album Rhythm And Romance '85: had three producers incl. Crowell; she wrote or co-wrote eight songs incl. 'Halfway House' (about drugs), 'Second To No One' (marriage), 'My Old Man' (her father); also incl. Tom Petty/Benmont Tench song 'Never Be You', originally intended for soundtrack of film Streets Of Fire, and cover of John Hiatt's 'Pink Bedroom'. Duet single co-written by Rosanne and Vince Gill 'If It Weren't For Him' country hit '85. Album King's Record Shop '87 named after a shop in Louisville pictured on sleeve. She scored no. 1 country hits '85--9 incl. 'It's Such A Small World' duet with Crowell. 'Rosie Strikes Back' encouraged women suffering physical abuse to stand up for themselves. Her own marriage problems were reflected in the doomy, introspective Interiors '90; she and Crowell filed for divorce '91 but remained friends; The Wheel '93 was a return to a cutting-edge commercial sound. A switch to Capitol for 10 Song Demo '96 (with eleven songs) confirmed our suspicion that embellishing demos of today's quality results in overproduction: this collection of reflective songs with simple backing by John Leventhal didn't need any more work.