Johnny Cash’s Saskatchewan getaway

By Joan Janzen

Saskatchewan’s most famous tourist may very well have been none other than Johnny Cash. In the 1980s the famous performer and his wife June frequently visited northern Saskatchewan. It is an interesting piece of Saskatchewan history.

Johnny Cash loved visiting northern Saskatchewan. Here he poses with a lady at the Robertson Trading store in La Ronge in 1983, the year he did a fundraiser for a new sprinkler system for the Uniplex in La Ronge. PHOTO COURTESY KAREN ROBERTSON / HISTORIC SASKATCHEWAN

On the Historic Saskatchewan site, people recalled his visits to La Ronge and Prince Albert. The country artist would often host an outdoor concert as a thank you to the community who made him feel at home. And in 1983 he did a fundraiser for a new sprinkler system for the Uniplex in La Ronge.

The couple would blend in with the locals, staying at a hotel across the street from Robertson Trading. Local residents remember Johnny and June dropping in at the store and visiting with the owners and customers. Their favourite snack was cheddar cheese dipped in brown sugar.

When asked why he always wore black, he smiled and said in his southern drawl, “Black makes me look thin.”

Johnny enjoyed fishing on the lake at La Ronge, and the guides would willingly provide a complimentary trip. They only asked that he play a small concert in return.

Everyone who met him said he was a true gentleman who patiently posed for photos with anyone who asked.