#TBT: Johnny Cash delighted young fan at 1974 Corpus Christi concert
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The Man in Black made a number of memorable appearances in Corpus Christi through the years, but his 1974 concert fulfilled a lifelong dream for one fan.
Johnny Cash’s first appearance in Corpus Christi was a September 1956 concert, his first time with the Grand Ole Opry concert that performed annually in town. The headliner was Faron Young, and Cash performed with a number of other country stars like Sonny James, Roy Orbison and Charline Arthur. About 5,000 fans turned out for the show, which only got a mention in the paper because someone threw a flare in the concourse area and the fire department had to be called.
Only two years later, Cash was back for his own concert in October 1958. He performed before a crowd of 3,000, and try not to cry at the ticket prices: $1.50 for adults and 50 cents for kids. Apparently the weather conditions that night – rainy, windy and temperatures in the low 50s – were bad enough that a return engagement was booked for the following month.
He performed in Corpus Christi several more times through the late ‘50s and 1960s, including a 1965 show that included a motorcade of the stars as they made their way from the Trade Winds Hotel to Kelly’s Music Store, with stops at radio stations along the way.
More: #TBT: Teen star Brenda Lee charmed at Corpus Christi's Memorial Coliseum concert in 1961
But March 28, 1974, Cash was back and performed one of his most memorable concerts for one young fan. Cash along with wife June Carter Cash were in town to perform a benefit concert arranged by the Sertoma Morning Club. The proceeds benefitted the South Texas Speech, Hearing and Language Center.
Before the concert at the coliseum, Cash met with 8-year-old Ashley Garbe, who was eager to meet his hero. Ashley, who was disabled and spoke little, hugged and kissed Cash, while repeating, “Cash,” “love you,” and “thank you.” Ashley carried his favorite toy, a plastic guitar, and plucked the strings while Cash talked with his parents.
“He’s been a fan ever since he saw you on TV,” Ashley’s father Albert Garbe explained. “He used to know exactly when your show was coming on,” chimed Mrs. Garbe.
“I’ll tell you what, this boy really sparks me,” Cash remarked, “He’s fantastic.” Cash called June out to meet Ashley as well, who noted how Ashley mimicked playing the guitar. Ashley’s mother told her how he also mimicked playing a harmonica anytime Cash did.
“Do you think you could come up to the stage after the show and I’ll give you those harmonicas?” Cash asked. Ashley’s parents noted how pleased he was with the entire night. “He’s lived a long time for this,” Albert Garbe said.
Allison Ehrlich writes about things to do in South Texas and has a weekly Throwback Thursday column on local history.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: #TBT: Johnny Cash delighted young fan at 1974 Corpus Christi concert
