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Marshall Grant
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Marshall Grant (born May 1928) was the upright bassist and electric bassist of singer Johnny Cash's original backing duo, the Tennessee Two, in which Grant and electric guitarist Luther Perkins played. He also served as road manager for Cash.
Before the band was signed by Sun Records in 1955 and began touring, Grant worked as an automobile mechanic in Memphis, Tennessee. Grant is a self-taught musician, and learned to play the bass after he, Perkins and Cash began playing together as three rhythm guitarists.
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Marshall Grant (born May 1928) was the upright bassist and electric bassist of singer Johnny Cash's original backing duo, the Tennessee Two, in which Grant and electric guitarist Luther Perkins played. He also served as road manager for Cash.
Before the band was signed by Sun Records in 1955 and began touring, Grant worked as an automobile mechanic in Memphis, Tennessee. Grant is a self-taught musician, and learned to play the bass after he, Perkins and Cash began playing together as three rhythm guitarists. They collectively decided that Grant should switch to playing bass for the group.
Grant was raised in Bessemer City, NC. He is one of twelve children born of Willie Leander (1888-1968) and Mary Elizabeth (Simmmonds) Grant. His siblings are Wade (1910-1985), Olson (1912-1993), Burlas (1914-1915), Vernal (1916-1971), Euleen (b:1918), Hershall (b:1921), Doris (1923-2006), Odell (b:1925), Ed (b:1931), Norma Jean (b:1935) and Aubrey Grant (b:1937).
Grant was an important part of the trademark 'boom-chicka-boom' sound of Johnny Cash that would change the sound of country music. He recorded with Cash from 1954 until 1980. Grant also voluntarily took on the responsibilities of road manager for Cash's touring show. Cash's drug problems eventually led to issues between Grant and Cash that resulted in Grant being fired by Cash. Despite this action and their subsequent legal battles, the two men later reconciled. Grant contends that he was probably Cash's closest and most trusted friend; indeed, he played a critical role in helping Cash along when Cash's drug problems threatened his career and his life.
Following his career with the Man in Black, Grant managed the Statler Brothers until their retirement in 2004. He currently lives in Hernando, Mississippi, with his wife, Etta.
Grant's autobiograpical book I Was There When It Happened: My Life With Johnny Cash was published in October, 2006. It is a behind-the-scenes story of their beginnings and rise to fame.
Marshall Grant is played by Larry Bagby in the 2005 film, Walk the Line.
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