Old Hickory Lake, Tennessee: A sad ring of fire

Two weeks ago, the former home of the late Johnny Cash burned down to the ground. The current owner of property, former Bee Gee Barry Gibb, pledges to rebuild on the site.

The old Cash home, featured prominently in the film Walk the Line was built on Old Hickory Lake. His next door neighbor was Roy Orbison, whose home burned to the ground in 1968--two of Orbison's three sons died in the fire.

Orbison bought the lot adjacent to the site of his old home, and Johnny Cash purchased Orbison's old property, where he planted a vineyard and orchard.

Johnny Cash's longtime lead guitarist, Luther Perkins. also lived on Old Hickory Lake. He too died because of a fire in 1968--Perkins fell asleep while smoking and died from the resulting injuries.

By all accounts Old Hickory Lake, located near the town of Hendersonville, Tennessee, is a beautiful place. Beautiful, but with a sad history.

Related post: Review: Latest Johnny Cash CD, "Personal File"