Hello, My name is James Maddox. I would like to tell you a short story about how and why the song "You're Still The Man In Black" was written and recorded. A few weeks ago, two friends, Ed Gowens, Tim Hicks and myself got together and wrote a song as a tribute to my Hero, The Great Johnny Cash. We finished recording the song late in the afternoon on September 11, 2003. We wrote a short note to Johnny on the inside of the front cover of the CD. our plan was to send a CD of the song to Johnny Cash the next day, September 12, 2003. We heard that he had just got out of the hospital and we thought this song might make him feel better. When we awoke on the morning of the 12th, we heard the sad news that Johnny had passed away. This was indeed a very sad day for all America and music lovers all over the world. Here's is a copy of the note we wrote to Johnny: "This song is written about a great American hero of many people through-out the world. Your music has inspired people of all races, colors, and creeds, and will live on in the hearts of many people. As long as Country and Gospel songs are played. Your songs will forever be a part of music history. This song is dedicated to you, Johnny Cash, my Hero. Johnny, You're Still The Man In Black" "You're Still The Man In Black" Written & copyright (C) 2003 by James Maddox, Ed Gowens, & Tim Hicks Just outside of Memphis, we lived in a shack, the freight trains sound so lonely as they moved along the tracks. Then one day, on the radio, I heard that same clickety-clack, then the DJ said, you just heard...The man in black. He sang songs about the poor man, and this country that he loves, and songs that tell a story about one man's love. He was my hero, when I lived in that shack, I'll never forget the first time I ever heard The man in black. He came into Memphis on one cold December day, picking that old Gibson, he so loved to play. He was a hero to a young man in that time, Chills ran all over, when he sang...I walked the line, He sang songs about the poor man, and this country that he loves, and songs that tell a story about one man's love. He was my hero, when I lived in that shack, I'll never forget the first time I ever heard The man in black. Well, we're all getting older, and the years have come and gone, as I recall that radio in my childhood home. He is still my hero and my mind goes back in time, I can still hear him singing...I Walk The Line. He sang songs about the poor man, and this country that he loves, and songs that tell a story about one man's love. His songs are still remembered from this time back, America salutes you and you're still... The man in black, America salutes you, Johnny, you're still the man in black. And we love you Johnny Cash you're still...The Man In Black... I dedicate this song to my hero, JOHNNY CASH I hope you like the other songs on this album also, I like to sing and write with the feelings that country music had before it was changed to "uptown big city way of doing things" in other words, back when music was really music and not just a lot of noise where you can't even understand what is being said... I look forward to hearing from you and your comments...please e-mail me if you like and I'll respond as quickly as possible...