Johnny Cash Once Participated In “Jailathon” In 1985 Where He Was Arrested To Help Raise Money For Cancer

Johnny Cash was always willing to help with charity.

Though you might not see this type of fundraiser much anymore in the modern day, it was certainly a big hit back in 1985. It was called a “Jailathon,” and the premise is actually rather simple: pretend to lock up local celebrities, and ask others to donate money to help “pay their bond.”

Pretty fun idea, right?

So fun, in fact, that the country music legend was all about it back in 1985. The Hendersonville Police Department was doing the “Jailathon” to help raise money for the American Cancer Society, and Johnny Cash was fully on board to help in the fundraiser fighting cancer.

That’s why he was more than happy to be “arrested” in Hendersonville, Tennessee (about 20 minutes east of Nashville) at his very own museum-tourist attraction that was called “House of Cash” when it was open. As you’ll see in a picture below, Cash was led away by the Hendersonville Police Department while he jokingly yelled that he was innocent. He was placed under house detention, and that’s where the real fun started.

Those that wanted to participate in the fundraiser had a number of ways to do so. They could call into a special number designed for the “Jailathon” to make pledges, or they could purchase autographs from the incarcerated (not really) Johnny Cash for $1 a piece. Cash also took time while he was under house arrested to phone friends and ask for them to help pay his bail.

I’m sure some actually thought Johnny Cash had been thrown in jail.

The bow that perfectly ties up the cancer research fundraiser story? It was none other than country music icon Waylon Jennings that donated the last amount of bail money that made Johnny Cash a free man once more. Ol’ Waylon pulled through and sprang his buddy out of the slammer… even though the Man in Black wasn’t ever really in need of help.

But he was more than happy to help those fighting cancer. All the money that was raised from the event was donated to the American Cancer Society’s chapter in Hendersonville. As I stated earlier, as troubled as Johnny Cash was during many parts of his life and musical career, he was always seen as a very charitable man… and a person that didn’t mind to have a little fun while helping those in need.

Back in 2021, the Hendersonville Police Department shared the story – and a photo of Cash being taken away in handcuffs – as they celebrated 50 years of service to the Hendersonville community:

“Johnny Cash is pictured as he is ‘led away’ by HPD Officers Susan Lynch and David Copeland. The building in the background is the old House of Cash (now HALO Properties). According to Officer Copeland, Mr. Cash was a very good sport.”

In case you were wondering, it’s believed that Johnny Cash was actually arrested seven times in his life. He never once stayed in prison as an inmate, but he did occasionally spend the night in jail for misdemeanors like drug possession, public intoxication, and trespassing.The post Johnny Cash Once Participated In “Jailathon” In 1985 Where He Was Arrested To Help Raise Money For Cancer first appeared on Whiskey Riff.