A Heartbeat & A Guitar: Johnny Cash & the Making of Bitter Tears – Details, episodes & analysis

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Hear excerpts from all 11 episodes from the docuseries: A Heartbeat & A Guitar: Johnny Cash & the Making of Bitter Tears.

Episode Index:
1-Bitter Tears Overview
2-The Letter
3-Flood Their Land, Burn Down the Houses- As Long As the Grass Shall Grow
4-Indian Removal Act-Apache Tears
5- An Indian Victory-Custer
6-The 10,000 year-old Language: The Talking Leaves
7-Hero or Drunken Indian? The Ballad of Ira Hayes
8-The White Man's Golden Rule- Drums
9-Whites Only Democracy
10-Terminated, Removed, Vanished?
11- The Wrap-Up

Listen to the entire docuseries: https://www.beforethelightspod.com/bittertears

A Heartbeat & A Guitar Book: https://www.amazon.com/Heartbeat-Guitar-Johnny-Making-Bitter/dp/156858637X

We’re Still Here Documentary: https://www.kinolorber.com/film/We're%20Still%20Here:%20%20Johnny%20Cash%20Bitter%20Tears

Johnny Cash-Bitter Tears LP: https://www.amazon.com/Bitter-Tears-Ballad-American-Indian/dp/B000002AU0

Look Again to the Wind LP: https://www.amazon.com/Look-Again-Wind-Johnny-Revisited/dp/B00KLOCQIE

Before the Lights Podcast: https://www.beforethelightspod.com/

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This docuseries is concluded with discussions on how producer, Don Law backed Johnny Cash, the poor indoor air quality, modifying/removing conditions that produce poverty, and a great conversation about a recent school lawsuit that leads to offensive sports mascots. 

Audio clips from folklorist Archie Green, Rosanne Cash, John Trudell, Nancy Blake, Bob Resier, Rickey Medlocke, and Joe Henry. 

Listeners are encouraged on how to get involved by rating/reviewing the show and clicking the following links:

The National Indian Education Association: https://www.niea.org/

Native Women’s Wilderness: https://www.nativewomenswilderness.org/

Apache Stronghold: http://apache-stronghold.com/

Native Action Network: https://nativeactionnetwork.org/

Seeding Sovereignty:  https://seedingsovereignty.org/who-we-are/

Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women USA: https://www.facebook.com/mmiwusa/

Honor the Earth: https://www.honorearth.org/about

Indigenous Environmental Network: https://www.ienearth.org/

National Indian Youth Council: https://niyc-alb.com/

Native Movement: https://www.nativemovement.org/

Native Youth Leadership Alliance: https://nativeyouthleadership.org/

Lakota People’s Law Project: https://lakotalaw.org/

Additional Links:

A Heartbeat & A Guitar Book: https://www.amazon.com/Heartbeat-Guitar-Johnny-Making-Bitter/dp/156858637X

We’re Stii Here Documentary: https://www.kinolorber.com/film/We're%20Still%20Here:%20%20Johnny%20Cash%20Bitter%20Tears

Johnny Cash-Bitter Tears LP: https://www.amazon.com/Bitter-Tears-Ballad-American-Indian/dp/B000002AU0

Look Again to the Wind LP: https://www.amazon.com/Look-Again-Wind-Johnny-Revisited/dp/B00KLOCQIE

Sing Out Article on Bitter Tears: https://singout.org/various-look-wind-johnny-cashs-bitter-tears-revisited/

Bitter Tears Article by Antonino D’Ambrosio: https://www.salon.com/2009/11/09/johnny_cash_2/#

Before the Lights Podcast: https://www.beforethelightspod.com/

Before the Lights Bitter Tears Webpage: https://www.beforethelightspod.com/bittertears

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Antonino reads “The Letter” written by Johnny Cash in 1964

Columbia refusing to promote the album

Cash being asked to resign from the Country Music Association

Newport Folk Festival

The controversy and rise of Bitter Tears 

Powerful message from John Trudell

Johnny Cash’s visit to White House with President Nixon

How do we transform?                               

Call them Native People

Links:

The Letter: https://leperwitch.tumblr.com/post/160262025365/embed

A Heartbeat & A Guitar Book: https://www.amazon.com/Heartbeat-Guitar-Johnny-Making-Bitter/dp/156858637X

We’re Stii Here Documentary: https://www.kinolorber.com/film/We're%20Still%20Here:%20%20Johnny%20Cash%20Bitter%20Tears

Johnny Cash-Bitter Tears LP: https://www.amazon.com/Bitter-Tears-Ballad-American-Indian/dp/B000002AU0

Look Again to the Wind LP: https://www.amazon.com/Look-Again-Wind-Johnny-Revisited/dp/B00KLOCQIE

Sing Out Article on Bitter Tears: https://singout.org/various-look-wind-johnny-cashs-bitter-tears-revisited/

Bitter Tears Article by Antonino D’Ambrosio: https://www.salon.com/2009/11/09/johnny_cash_2/#

Before the Lights Podcast: https://www.beforethelightspod.com/

Before the Lights Bitter Tears Webpage: https://www.beforethelightspod.com/bittertears

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Get the history behind the Bitter Tears concept LP

Who was Peter LaFarge?

Johnny Cash’s outrage and sadness 

The power and force of the record

Listening vs hearing and getting eyes open to the harsh and unfair treatment of Native People

Why?

Links:

A Heartbeat & A Guitar Book: https://www.amazon.com/Heartbeat-Guitar-Johnny-Making-Bitter/dp/156858637X

We’re Stii Here Documentary: https://www.kinolorber.com/film/We're%20Still%20Here:%20%20Johnny%20Cash%20Bitter%20Tears

Johnny Cash-Bitter Tears LP: https://www.amazon.com/Bitter-Tears-Ballad-American-Indian/dp/B000002AU0

Look Again to the Wind LP: https://www.amazon.com/Look-Again-Wind-Johnny-Revisited/dp/B00KLOCQIE

Sing Out Article on Bitter Tears: https://singout.org/various-look-wind-johnny-cashs-bitter-tears-revisited/

Bitter Tears Article by Antonino D’Ambrosio: https://www.salon.com/2009/11/09/johnny_cash_2/#

Before the Lights Podcast: https://www.beforethelightspod.com/

Before the Lights Bitter Tears Webpage: https://www.beforethelightspod.com/bittertears

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A podcast docuseries coming your way in support of  Native American Rights of the harsh, and unfair treatment of the Indigenous Community. 

Webpage: beforethelightspod.com/bittertears

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Discussions regarding the folk movement that was resistant to folk music on behalf of Native issues. 

Native population numbers that the US Census states are not accurate.

The Termination Policy and problems that have been challenged for generations. 

Alcatraz protests with audio from Howard Zinn and about a Native Ironworker, Richrd Oakes. 

Basis of self-determination

Audio clips from Johnny Cash, Rhiannon Giddens, Rickey Medlocke, & Joanne Shenandoah. 

Links:

Lyrics of Vanishing Race: https://genius.com/Johnny-cash-the-vanishing-race-lyrics

A Heartbeat & A Guitar Book: https://www.amazon.com/Heartbeat-Guitar-Johnny-Making-Bitter/dp/156858637X

We’re Stii Here Documentary: https://www.kinolorber.com/film/We're%20Still%20Here:%20%20Johnny%20Cash%20Bitter%20Tears

Johnny Cash-Bitter Tears LP: https://www.amazon.com/Bitter-Tears-Ballad-American-Indian/dp/B000002AU0

Look Again to the Wind LP: https://www.amazon.com/Look-Again-Wind-Johnny-Revisited/dp/B00KLOCQIE

Sing Out Article on Bitter Tears: https://singout.org/various-look-wind-johnny-cashs-bitter-tears-revisited/

Bitter Tears Article by Antonino D’Ambrosio: https://www.salon.com/2009/11/09/johnny_cash_2/#

Before the Lights Podcast: https://www.beforethelightspod.com/

Before the Lights Bitter Tears Webpage: https://www.beforethelightspod.com/bittertears

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This episode is loaded with audio clips from:

Singer, songwriter, producer-Joe Henry, Musician Rhiannon Giddens, Milk Carton Kids (Kenneth Pattengale & Joey Ryan) perform “White Girl” and offer their perspective of recording the song with singer/songwriter Steve Earle giving his opinion. 

Josh Dunson who is a social justice activist/artist lets u hear his take on Peter LaFarge. Native American singer, composer, and citizen of the Oneida Indian Nation-Wolf Clan: Joanne Shenandoah talks along with Johnny Cash’s daughter-Rosanne. Storyteller Bob Reiser speaks regarding understanding the human mind. Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist ends the show with his thoughts on violence to women and girls. 

Topics in this episode include-

The meaning behind the song- White Girl, the lyrics from Peter Lafarge

Native women pay vs the white men

Interracial relationships

Sex/Rape on Native Land

Missing Native Children

Links:

White Girl Lyrics: https://lyrics.az/peter-lafarge/-/white-girl.html

Bob Reiser You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ammti3FLrM

A Heartbeat & A Guitar Book: https://www.amazon.com/Heartbeat-Guitar-Johnny-Making-Bitter/dp/156858637X

We’re Stii Here Documentary: https://www.kinolorber.com/film/We're%20Still%20Here:%20%20Johnny%20Cash%20Bitter%20Tears

Johnny Cash-Bitter Tears LP: https://www.amazon.com/Bitter-Tears-Ballad-American-Indian/dp/B000002AU0

Look Again to the Wind LP: https://www.amazon.com/Look-Again-Wind-Johnny-Revisited/dp/B00KLOCQIE

Sing Out Article on Bitter Tears: https://singout.org/various-look-wind-johnny-cashs-bitter-tears-revisited/

Bitter Tears Article by Antonino D’Ambrosio: https://www.salon.com/2009/11/09/johnny_cash_2/#

Before the Lights Podcast: https://www.beforethelightspod.com/

Before the Lights Bitter Tears Webpage: https://www.beforethelightspod.com/bittertears

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The song is on education and the forced assimilation by teaching the Native Children from a white man’s view and went as far as giving them a “white” name. The 1893 court ruling that kept them in boarding schools & the passing of the Indian Child Welfare Act in 1978!

The hard to believe problems facing children in Canada to this day!

Education statistics, respecting blood lines and reservations struggles with voting. We need voting sites on Native Land!

Hear excerpts from- Canadian folk singer, Oscar Brand and Producer Joe Henry. 

Links:

Drums Lyrics: https://www.antiwarsongs.org/canzone.php?id=11083&lang=en

Canadian Education Articles: 

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/04/world/canada/canada-indigenous-children-settlement.html

https://www.npr.org/2021/10/05/1043156113/canada-indigenous-children-residential-school-burial-search

A Heartbeat & A Guitar Book: https://www.amazon.com/Heartbeat-Guitar-Johnny-Making-Bitter/dp/156858637X

We’re Stii Here Documentary: https://www.kinolorber.com/film/We're%20Still%20Here:%20%20Johnny%20Cash%20Bitter%20Tears

Johnny Cash-Bitter Tears LP: https://www.amazon.com/Bitter-Tears-Ballad-American-Indian/dp/B000002AU0

Look Again to the Wind LP: https://www.amazon.com/Look-Again-Wind-Johnny-Revisited/dp/B00KLOCQIE

Sing Out Article on Bitter Tears: https://singout.org/various-look-wind-johnny-cashs-bitter-tears-revisited/

Bitter Tears Article by Antonino D’Ambrosio: https://www.salon.com/2009/11/09/johnny_cash_2/#

Before the Lights Podcast: https://www.beforethelightspod.com/

Before the Lights Bitter Tears Webpage: https://www.beforethelightspod.com/bittertears

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The Battle of Ira Hayes some say is the most important track on the Bitter Tears LP. It has been referred to as an anthem. 

Who was Ira Hayes and what were the Pima Tribe from Arizona?

Story behind the iconic photograph in Iwo Jima at Mt. Suribach. 

Linking Photographers Joe Rosenthal & Jim Marshall.

Ira did not want to be a war hero and should have stayed with troops which led to PTSD. Hear the statistics for Indigenous people with mental illness, suicide, and substance abuse. 

Singer and friend of Johnny Cash tells what happen to the Apache Tear that Cash received from Ira Hayes’ mother. 

Ira Hayes is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, but would he really want to be there? 

Pima tribe did live on oasis, but the water rights turned their land into a dry crust!

Listen to the words of the song to get a full picture of this. 

Links:

The Ballad of Ira Hayes Lyrics: https://songofamerica.net/song/ballad-of-ira-hayes/

A Heartbeat & A Guitar Book: https://www.amazon.com/Heartbeat-Guitar-Johnny-Making-Bitter/dp/156858637X

We’re Stii Here Documentary: https://www.kinolorber.com/film/We're%20Still%20Here:%20%20Johnny%20Cash%20Bitter%20Tears

Johnny Cash-Bitter Tears LP: https://www.amazon.com/Bitter-Tears-Ballad-American-Indian/dp/B000002AU0

Look Again to the Wind LP: https://www.amazon.com/Look-Again-Wind-Johnny-Revisited/dp/B00KLOCQIE

Sing Out Article on Bitter Tears: https://singout.org/various-look-wind-johnny-cashs-bitter-tears-revisited/

Bitter Tears Article by Antonino D’Ambrosio: https://www.salon.com/2009/11/09/johnny_cash_2/#

Before the Lights Podcast: https://www.beforethelightspod.com/

Before the Lights Bitter Tears Webpage: https://www.beforethelightspod.com/bittertears

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Sequoyah, a severely disabled Cherokee who could not read or write created the first written Indian language. 

The responsibility of the United States towards Native People.

Johnny Cash concept records, the struggles behind them that includes being threatened by Sam Phillips from Sun records. 

Marlon Brando stands up for Native People and how he helped Dennis Banks when he was arrested at the showdown at Wounded Knee which was on Indian land!

The Indigenous Languages becoming extinct but there is a movement to help preserve them. How schools at one time rewarded those who did not speak their own language. 

Links:

The Talking Leaves Lyrics: https://genius.com/Johnny-cash-the-talking-leaves-lyrics

A Heartbeat & A Guitar Book: https://www.amazon.com/Heartbeat-Guitar-Johnny-Making-Bitter/dp/156858637X

We’re Stii Here Documentary: https://www.kinolorber.com/film/We're%20Still%20Here:%20%20Johnny%20Cash%20Bitter%20Tears

Johnny Cash-Bitter Tears LP: https://www.amazon.com/Bitter-Tears-Ballad-American-Indian/dp/B000002AU0

Look Again to the Wind LP: https://www.amazon.com/Look-Again-Wind-Johnny-Revisited/dp/B00KLOCQIE

Sing Out Article on Bitter Tears: https://singout.org/various-look-wind-johnny-cashs-bitter-tears-revisited/

Bitter Tears Article by Antonino D’Ambrosio: https://www.salon.com/2009/11/09/johnny_cash_2/#

Before the Lights Podcast: https://www.beforethelightspod.com/

Before the Lights Bitter Tears Webpage: https://www.beforethelightspod.com/bittertears