Johnny Cash Signed “Ride This Train” – 1960 Columbia Records Original

This is a signed copy of Johnny Cash’s “Ride This Train,” his fourth studio album and one of the earliest true concept albums in country music history. The signature appears on both the front and inside cover, written in blue ink — a rare and highly collectible feature that adds immense historical value.

Released in 1960 on Columbia Records, “Ride This Train” is subtitled “A Stirring Travelogue of America in Song and Story.” It stands out as one of Cash’s most ambitious projects: a narrative journey across the American landscape, blending music and spoken word. Cash acts as a narrator, introducing each song with vivid storytelling that celebrates the working class, history, and folklore of the country.

The album includes classics such as:

• “Loading Coal”

• “Lumberjack”

• “Dorraine of Ponchartrain”

• “Going to Memphis”

• “Old Doc Brown”

Each track contributes to a larger narrative about America’s identity and struggle — a hallmark of Cash’s lifelong fascination with storytelling and empathy for the underdog.

Details:

• Artist: Johnny Cash

• Album Title: Ride This Train

• Format: 12” Vinyl LP

• Autograph: Dual hand-signed inscriptions by Johnny Cash (front and inner gatefold, blue ink)

• Label: Columbia Records (CL 1464)

• Release Year: 1960

• Condition: Very Good (moderate wear typical for age; clear, authentic signatures)

This record is historically notable as an early example of the “concept album” long before the format became mainstream. Cash’s ability to weave narrative, character, and song into a cohesive journey makes “Ride This Train” a cornerstone of his discography.