Yesterday, the College at Florham hosted a performance by Grammy-winning singer/songwriter and author Rosanne Cash, daughter of the legendary Johnny Cash, as part of the 2009 WAMFEST finale.

At press time, the event had not yet taken place, but it had been highly anticipated on campus. Cash’s appearance, hosted by the creative writing department, was called “Fact Versus Fiction, Memoir and Song: A Conversation and Performance.”

Cash was joined by WAMFEST artist and author Wesley Stace, whose stage name is John Wesley Harding. As part of the performance, Cash read from her memoirs and performed her music.
Cash’s 14 record albums, which have been released over the last 25 years, have earned her a number of awards for both songwriting and performance.

She recorded her first U.S. album, “Right Or Wrong,” in 1979 and in the following 10 years she released “Seven Year Ache,” “Rhythm and Romance” and “King’s Record Shop.” She won a Grammy in 1985 for best female country and western vocal performance. She was also named Billboard’s Top Singles Artist in 1988.

Her most recent album, “Black Cadillac,” was released in 2006 and nominated for a Grammy award for Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album. Her music ranges from country to pop.

Cash’s first book, “Bodies of Water,” was published in 1995 and received widespread critical acclaim, as did her children’s book, “Penelope Jane: A Fairy’s Tale,” which was published in 2000.

Cash’s essays and fiction have appeared in various periodicals and collections, including The New York Times, Rolling Stone, The Oxford-American and New York magazine. She is currently working on a book of non-fiction, which is set to be published in 2009.

Harding has also been no stranger to the spotlight. An acclaimed artist, he has successfully recorded 15 albums. His most recent pop release in 2004, “Adam’s Apple,” was labeled “the finest album of his career” by the All Music Guide. He has been joined on stage by numerous musicians, including Lou Reed and Iggy Pop, among others.

Currently, Harding has been touring the nation with Eugene Mirman as the headliners of the star-studded “Cabinet of Wonders” show. Several of their friends, including Cash, have performed with them. 

Tickets to the presentation were free for FDU students, faculty and staff.

MEGHAN DROGE
Staff Writer