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Johnny Cash to be honored with weeklong CMT tribute

The programming block will culminate with the "Johnny Cash: American Rebel" premiere.

By Annie Martin
Johnny Cash for LOOK magazine in 1969. Photo by Joel Baldwin/Wikimedia
Johnny Cash for LOOK magazine in 1969. Photo by Joel Baldwin/Wikimedia

NASHVILLE, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- Late country star Johnny Cash will be honored this week on CMT.

Fan and fellow recording artist Kid Rock will host a weeklong block of special programming to mark the 12th anniversary of the singer's death. Cash died of complications from diabetes at age 71 on Sept. 12, 2003, less than four months after wife June Carter Cash died at age 73.

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"This weeklong tribute will both remind long-time fans as well as introduce new fans to the brilliance and artistry that made Cash one of the most influential music artists in American history," network president Brian Philips said in a statement.

Highlights include the "Throwback Thursday" Video Block: Cash Edition featuring Cash's videos and music videos from artists he inspired, a Cash-inspired CMT All-Time Top 40: Artist's Choice on Friday, and the premiere of Johnny Cash: American Rebel on Saturday evening.

Johnny Cash: American Rebel is an original CMT documentary scheduled to debut Saturday, Sept. 12 at 9 p.m. ET. The film is built around 12 of the singer's classic songs, and includes interviews with John Carter Cash, Roseanne Cash, and Carlene Carter.

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"There were so many different facets to him, such an undefinable depth to his character," son John Carter Cash said. "You could see it in his eyes, and it brought on mystery, and it brought on a need for, perhaps, understanding him in a deeper way and this is part of the appeal of who the man was."

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