The Day I Met Johnny Cash

Hey Friends!!

Going to take a little detour here from our normal journey through The Holy Land, my memories of Israel, and our plans to hopefully return someday.

It looks like the Covid-19 pandemic continues to press the “pause button” on most Holy Land trips for now. Some are scheduled for this coming September (2021) and one of my good pastor friends is planning to lead one in October. We pray that those trips will happen and we continue to pray for peace in Jerusalem.

Perhaps like you, I spent some of my 2020 down time trying to clean out clutter and closets. (I need to do a lot more of this) A big part of my clutter comes from being in the TV business for almost 35 years now. Back in the ancient days of TV (1980s & 1990s), we used large tapes about the size of a brick to shoot our video and interviews. Here’s a look at just a few I have.

I probably kept about a hundred of these tapes and I have BIG plans to someday go through all of them and digitize what I want to keep. One problem now however, (besides my own procrastination) is that it’s hard to even find machines that play these tapes anymore. Sort of like your collection of VHS tapes with no VCR to play them? Same problem.

Out of all those tapes however, there was one I most wanted to see again. It was an interview I did with Johnny Cash back in 1992. Yep, THAT Johnny Cash, the legendary Man In Black.

So, with the help of a TV colleague who’s much more tech-savvy than I am, I started the process of dubbing and editing the tape. In the meantime, I shared this still pic from the interview on my social media as a teaser. Viewer Warning: Lots of 80s hair ahead!

And don’t I look THRILLED to be there? Haha! Now, I’m usually a BIG smiler (and pre-pandemic, a hugger too). So, if I had known that 30 years later I would be sharing this pic with thousands on social media and a blog; well, I would have flashed a smile as big as Folsom Prison.

Below is the complete story behind that snapshot, including WHY I’m not smiling at that precise moment. Plus, the video of my short, but sweet time with Johnny Cash, including an impromptu performance of a Gospel classic, “I Saw The Light.”

There are lots of other celebrities in the video, too! See who you can spot and I’ll share more from them later. So, here’s the story and video from the day I met Johnny Cash!

The Story

In April of 1992, I was a young news reporter at KARK-TV (NBC affiliate) in Little Rock. In addition to news, I did most of the entertainment reporting for the station and I was sent to Branson, Missouri to cover the explosion in new music theaters there.

Big names like Kenny Rogers, Andy Williams, and native Arkansans Johnny Cash and Glen Campbell were all building big theaters or planning long term performance deals in Branson. I wanted to interview them all, but my main target was The Man In Black.

There was a planned photoshoot of all the Branson stars out at Big Cedar Lodge and Johnny was going to be there. He was building a theater complex that would be called Cash Country and his plans were for lots of the Cash-Carter family to perform there during the year.You’ll see in the video, all the “stars” are chit-chatting before the photoshoot. It’s everyone from Andy Williams to Ray Stevens to the family hillbilly performers that started Branson back in the 60s. Then, here he comes.

At 6’2″, Johnny Cash is tall, but not extremely tall. However, when he arrives just his presence alone absolutely towers over everything and everyone else. The others keep talking, but every eye shifts occasionally back over to Johnny and only a handful walk over to say hi. Not that he’s known as unfriendly, but it’s HIM. You’ll see in the video that country singers Moe Bandy and Mel Tillis visit with him the most. Basically, if you didn’t have a #1 hit at some point in your career, best to stay back.

They all get into position for a picture taken from a bucket truck above with Johnny front and center holding his guitar. Then, something special happens. Everyone is waiting and still talking, when Johnny starts to pick that guitar. It’s “I Saw The Light,” and it’s quiet and sweet and everyone goes silent. Yep, goosebumps here. The performers one-by-one join in singing the chorus of the gospel standard, but then stop and let Johnny take the verses. The photographer is ready now, and the pictures are snapped. It’s Johnny who looks up and says, “You, got it?” (I guess when he’s done, everyone is done and you better have the picture.) Johnny starts to walk away with a couple of his handlers on each side.

At this point, I could have stayed in my place like most other media were doing, but this is my one and only chance. I grew up on this music. I sat on my Dad’s lap during more than one Johnny or Johnny/June concert. I remember Dad sitting in the hot sun all day at a Rison summer festival in 1976, just so we could have front row seats for his concert that night. I’m getting an interview with Johnny Cash!

What happens next, in football terms you would say that I “had the angle on him.” Along with my photographer, I cut across a grassy area to get close enough to say, “Hey Johnny! We’re from Arkansas. Will you talk to us?” The handlers on each side give me “a look”, but then on Johnny’s face comes a big grin, and he says, “Sure!”

I knew I wouldn’t have long, so I got right to the questions I needed the most. I asked him if he wanted to invite Arkansans to his new theater, which family members would we see there in the future, and what did he think was drawing so many people to Branson? After that, other reporters came around us and started asking questions, too. (In media, we call that hijacking an interview.) I didn’t really mind though.

My photographer got the signal from me to back out for a wider shot with me in it. That’s the quick look with no smile from the still pic. Haha!! It’s the shot that shows the viewer we were actually there asking the questions. Next, we come back in and get close on Johnny again as he talks about going to a Twisted Sister and Iron Maiden concert with his son, John. I mean, you can’t make this stuff up! Then as quickly as it started, it was over and Johnny is whisked away from us.

Whenever I’m asked about the most famous people I’ve interviewed, I guess there are a top four; Bill Clinton, Princess Fergie (the royal, not the singer), Glen Campbell and Johnny Cash. This one will always be my favorite though. I was suddenly that 10 year old sitting on Dad’s lap as he patted his foot to “Ring Of Fire” and Folsom Prison Blues.” I am so happy that 16 years later, Johnny gave that same girl a few minutes of his time. A big THANK YOU to Kenny Reynolds, KATV’s News Operations Manager for helping my get this video from the ancient 3/4″ tape format of the 80s to the digital age. WARNING – This video contains lots of 80s hair and clothes, and my accent as southern as a glass of sweet tea. I don’t think Johnny minded it, though.

The Video

Hello friends!

It’s been a while and I thank you for still following this blog. Or if you’ve just discovered this place, thank you as well. I kept the blog going for the past year knowing that I would come back when I felt like I had something new to share. It’s Easter Week now 2021 and my thoughts return more than ever to The Holy Land during this time of year. (I think they always will).

We are coming out of a year like no other. When trips to Israel, trips ANYWHERE stopped. But now many are making plans to travel again, whether it’s to go see family, a long awaited vacation, or a pilgrimage to The Holy Land. I have a few friends preparing to host trips to Israel later this year. Hopefully, more on that later on this blog.

Since I was in Israel two years ago THIS WEEK, I haven’t read a Bible passage or heard a sermon when I didn’t think back to something I saw or felt in The Holy Land. It’s a place that stays with you. Also, there are friendships that were formed on this trip that are still dear to me. Here’s our 2019 travel group which started with my Sunday School Class at St. James UMC in Little Rock and grew from there. What a crew!

You know when you’ve been on a vacation and you were the one taking the pictures, what do come home with? A bunch of pictures of everybody else and you’re not in any of them! So, it was a thrill when my friends Randy & Gayle Teague recently gave me copies of their pics from our trip. There were new images I had not seen and evidence that I was there, too! Haha! Actually, many fellow travelers offered to take pics with my camera for me at times. So sweet! But Randy is also a MUCH better photographer than I am, so these new images were such a gift. I thought you might like to see them, too.

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The Dead Sea is the lowest place on earth and it is mentioned several times in The Bible. Since I was busy doing TV work during the group float, my friend Gayle stuck around to float with me. Back on dry land; we visit Masada, the mountaintop palace fortress of King Herod.

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After three days around The Sea Of Gailiee, The Jordan River, and The Dead Sea, we get to the heart of this trip and the heart of this nation. It’s Jerusalem. And your first sight of it will take your breath away.

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Jerusalem is a city like no other. Three world religions consider it holy and in this city packed with people, they must learn to live and worship side by side. You will see Christian churches, next to Jewish temples, next to Muslim mosques. And you will see beautiful people going about their normal lives in such a special place

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Towards the end of the trip, we begin to trace the steps of Jesus during the final week of his earthly life. The olive trees in The Garden Of Gethsamane grow from 2,000 year old roots and one tree is believed to actually date back to Jesus’ time. It’s the one at the bottom, protected by the fencing. This is the only place where you can’t actually touch what you’re seeing. The trees are living Bible history.

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The Via Dolorosa is the route Jesus walked carrying his cross through the streets of Jerusalem. Our Jerusalem travel guide, Rafi takes us through the footsteps of Jesus. I always liked staying close to Rafi, so I wouldn’t miss a thing!

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The Via Dolorosa ends at The Church Of The Holy Sepulchre, The church houses Golgotha (Calvary), and Jesus’ Tomb. I really don’t remember this pic being taken in front on the tomb, but I remember how I felt standing just steps away from the site of the first Easter morning!

I have a few more new pics to share and I’ll do that soon, but this is probably the best place to stop for now. I’m writing this on Good Friday, 2021. I think it’s important to think about the whole week of Easter. You have to let your heart feel the sadness of Good Friday to truly appreciate Easter morning. I pray that you will have a blessed Easter. At this time, when we are coming out of what has been a dark year for our world, we know that God is still in control and he will never leave us. Perhaps he will even lead us back to The Holy Land someday. Happy Easter!

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Before my friend and Holy Land tour guide, Rafi Rozanes left Arkansas last week, we sat down for a little chat. Here’s his message for you about his “Great American Tour”, his time in Arkansas, and his invitation to you to come visit Israel.

To look into booking a trip of your own you can head over to http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/#eotours

From The Holy Land to The Natural State

What a fun week it has been as my Israeli tour guide, Rafi Rozanes and his wife Tamar have been here in Little Rock. Rafi took me all over Israel back in March and it is almost surreal to have him here in my hometown.

We were actually just one stop on Rafi and Tamar’s USA tour through Michigan, Cleveland, The Shenandoah Valley, Washington DC, The Outer Banks, and Myrtle Beach.

Then it was here to Arkansas, and next up: Costa Rica and Panama. Along the way, Rafi speaks to groups and churches about visiting The Holy Land.

This week in Little Rock, we had a reunion dinner with our tour group and Rafi was given an “Arkansas Traveler” certificate signed by the governor. The Rozanes’ also visited Lake Ouachita, Heifer International, Little Rock Rotary and The Clinton Presidential Center. And, in the true Spirit Of Arkansas, Rafi went 4-wheelin’!

Yesterday, I had the privilege of taking them and my church friend, Marsha Hinson to the KATV Channel 7 studios. We talked about the TV and weather business here in the U.S. and Chief Meteorologist Barry Brandt showed them the KATV weather center. We even checked on the conditions back in Israel (It was sunny and hot). You know, the world is such a small place!

To see more pictures from Rafi’s Great American Adventure head over to my Facebook page through the link below. Also, Rafi and I made a video chat for all of you before we said good-bye. Look for that to be posted soon!

https://www.facebook.com/Melinda-Mayo-KATV-229461220418343/

Floating In The Dead Sea

If you’re of a “certain age” you probably remember taking pictures and dropping off your roll of film at a store. Then, having to wait about a week or more before they were ready. And finally, the excitement when you got to open that envelope of treasured memories! (Followed sometimes by the disappointment when many of the shots were ruined by a finger that got in the way of the lens, or an overexposure that went way wrong). My how that’s all changed now.

Well, I had a little taste of that childhood nostalgia last week when one of my Holy Land travel mates brought me a CD with the only pics of me floating in The Dead Sea with his wife four months ago.

First up though, here’s a fabulous group shot he took which I am not in. More on that later. But I love this pic. Wouldn’t it make a wonderful cover photo on any Facebook page? These are some of my favorite people (friends) on earth in the lowest place on earth. Sing it, Garth!

Notice everybody’s hands and feet are up! That’s the pose you traditionally have to strike in The Dead Sea to prove you are actually floating. With a salt content 10 times that of normal ocean water, you float as easily here as if you were sitting back in a comfy recliner. Here’s one half of the set of twins in our group demonstrating. Sorry, not sure if this is James or John, but he’s a Hearnsberger!

Unfortunately, I was not in the water yet when that group pic was taken. I had stepped aside to make a video to send back for air on my KATV morning show. Here’s that video as a reminder and a bit more on the sea where nothing can live. Still don’t know why it sometimes shows upside down here, but just hit play. It’ll work.

So, after that I went in to try the Dead Sea Float for myself. A big thank you to my sweet friend, Gayle Teague who stuck around to float with me. And a big “I’m sorry” that my feet floated up right in front of her face!

While the floating is fun, swimming is basically impossible. I learned that when I got a little separated from Gayle and tried to swim back to her. All of your body basically pops up to the top of the water and you just end up splashing around, which is not good in water that tastes bad and stings your eyes. So after some laughing about it, we survived. I’m glad that Gayle’s husband, Dr. Randy Teague then captured the two of us post-float! Thanks, Randy! He went through the hundreds of pictures he took on our trip just to find these two for me.

The Dead Sea is one of the spots you really should visit on your trip to The Holy Land. Next time, I’d like to maybe stay a night and check out the many spas and resorts on the beach. It’s a place unlike anywhere else on earth. If you’ve been there, please tell us about your trip.

Up next, the products I’ll never leave home without when traveling abroad! Also, I’ve been contacted through this blog by another tour company about hosting faith-based trips in the future. Not sure if I’m ready for that now, but maybe someday? 🤔

I first started sharing my plans to visit Israel almost 5 months ago. Since then I’ve had several people ask for my suggestions on planning a trip of their own. First, I am in no way an expert on Holy Land travel, but I can give you my thoughts as a first-timer and put you in contact with people who are the experts. Second, I am not making any money on this blog. It started simply as a way to journal about my trip and to get a conversation going. So any suggestions, are just that…and not a sales pitch.

#1 Definitely, use a tour company

I would not have known where to begin planning a Holy Land adventure on my own. It was so wonderful to get on the tour bus in Israel each morning, knowing that the itinerary was planned, meals were arranged, and safety issues had been addressed. I saw some tourists who appeared to be “winging it” and while that may be fun on some adventures (perhaps Europe), I think traveling with an organized tour group is the way to go here, at least for your first time.

We used Educational Opportunity Tours. They’ve been in the business a long time. Here’s a link to their website if you would like to check them out. They have lots of trips besides Israel, too.

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/#eotours

#2 You can do it alone

While my husband considered going on this trip with me, we later decided it would be better if he stayed home. I had lots of friends from my church in our group, but even if I hadn’t I think I would have been fine. There were several singles and wives/husbands who traveled without their spouses for different reasons. The tour group becomes such a family that you’ll quickly make friends. Plus, this trip in particular is one where you won’t mind some quiet time to yourself, to think about all you’ve seen and experienced each day.

I did partner up with a sweet lady I did not know before the trip. Laura Doramus of Little Rock did not bring her husband along either, so I called her my “Holy Land Wife.” We had so much fun together and are friends forever now.

#3 Take me straight to the hotel!

Pick a tour that does not take you sightseeing…not even one site… as soon as you land in Tel Aviv. After spending the better part of two days getting to Israel, all you want is food and a bed! Some tours hit the ground running to get in an adventure on that first day. Trust me, you won’t enjoy it, remember it, you may not even realize where you are! A good night’s rest and you’ll be a much happier pilgrim to start the next morning.

#4 Check with local pastors and professors

Lots of Arkansas pastors and professors host Holy Land tours as a sort of “side gig.” Many have been to Israel 10-15 times or more. There’s nothing like going with someone who knows the Land and most tours will also have a local guide who is licensed by the Israeli government after years of training and study.

Siegfried Johnson, pastor at Christ Of The Hills UMC in Hot Springs Village was our leader. He used to be my pastor at St. James UMC in Little Rock. It was his 14th trip to Israel. Sieg works with EO Tours a lot and he can help you in setting up a tour with them if you like. His email address is sieg@cohumc.com. Be sure and tell him Melinda sent you! Haha! I love him.

#5 Do a little homework

Almost everyone I spoke with who had been to The Holy Land before told me it is quite a whirlwind your first time. All the info, sites, and experiences can be a bit overwhelming. So, it helped me to read up a little bit before we left. I also went through the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John to refresh my mind on the important Bible stories. And our group held 3 meetings in the weeks prior to leaving where we discussed the history and culture of Israel, as well as the sites we would visit. All of this helped me have a better grasp of where I was on my trip.

In my next post I want to share some of the things I packed for this trip that worked out well, whether you’re going to Israel or somewhere else abroad. Plus some of the advice I received that proved to be helpful.

Also, big news! Our Israeli tour guide, Rafi is coming to visit Arkansas soon! We’re planning a reunion dinner with him and deciding how to best entertain him while he’s here. I can’t wait to share some of that with you, too.

So give us some ideas! Where would you take Rafi while he’s in Arkansas? I’ll look forward to your comments.

Humor In The Holy Land

While there is so much reverence and respect in Israel (especially at The Holiest Sites), the Israeli people do love a good laugh, good music, and good wine. I wanted to briefly share a little bit of the lighter side of my Holy Land Trip.

One of my favorite pictures from this pilgrimage is the one above of a group of young Jewish school boys out on a field trip. Our tour group was just leaving the Temple Mount area and they had just arrived.

It had turned out to be a beautiful morning and I quickly snapped a picture of them as they gathered on the street corner, their school masters checking to make sure everyone was there. Later on the bus, I looked back on my phone and noticed what I had captured. Just look at the joy on the face of little Mr. Tan Pants there in the middle. Is that pure happiness or what?

I don’t know your name, little guy; but whenever my mood is a little down, I look at that picture and you make me smile. There is so much joy in the world, and it all started in your little part of the world. Anybody know the Hebrew word for “ringleader”? I’m pretty sure we found him.

We cried a bit in Israel, (I’d dare any Christian to try not to!) but BOY did we laugh, too! I wanted to share with you some of the humor of The Holy Land, from funny souvenir t-shirts to big, fat camel kisses. It’s another part of The Holy Land that I’ll always remember and you can read about it by clicking on my Facebook page below.

https://www.facebook.com/Melinda-Mayo-KATV-229461220418343/

A little behind with this post. I blame two things: The Arkansas River and a new I-Phone.

Certainly, our prayers go out to all those dealing with flooding here in Arkansas. Know that you are not alone and volunteers will continue to come in and help you; not just this week, but in the weeks and months to come. It’s what we do in Arkansas.

And being a little tech-challenged , a new I-Phone always makes me a little nervous. Will I lose all my precious Holy Land photos? The voicemails I’ve saved from my late mom and dad? I can report that all transferred well, and I think I’ve also now found or reset the millions of passwords it takes to log back into everything…like this blog.

Something I was not overly worried about was security in The Holy Land. I have talked to many people who refuse to travel to Israel because of fear and I can understand that. In this post I wanted to talk about how I felt before and during my trip. And a few things about the Israeli military and security systems you may not know. To read on and see the pictures I’ve shared, just click on my Facebook page below.

https://www.facebook.com/Melinda-Mayo-KATV-229461220418343/

Seeing The Pink City Of Petra

At the end of my Holy Land Tour as most of us are headed back on a plane to Paris/Atlanta/Little Rock, a smaller group is headed east on a three day extension into the neighboring county of Jordan.

It’s a trip that requires going through security checkpoints at the Israeli border and crossing The Allenby Bridge into Jordan. The group then visited the cities of Petra, Madana, Jerash, Amman and Mount Nebo where God showed Moses the Promised Land.

I was pretty exhausted after my tour and was glad to be headed home, but those who went on this new adventure looked to have an amazing time. I think seeing The Pink City Of Petra would have really been something. This ancient city was carved out of the rose colored stone and it is listed as one of the Seven New Wonders Of The World. And there were more camel rides!

I’d like to show you more pictures from those who went on this extension. I’ve invited them to join in the conversation on my Facebook page with their own info and comments about their time in Jordan.

To travel across the border with them, just click on the link to my Facebook page below.

https://m.facebook.com/Melinda-Mayo-KATV-229461220418343/

I figured it would happen. As I was working on my day-by-day journal through Day 7 of my Holy Land Trip, I was suddenly pictured in another outfit! I knew there was never time for a wardrobe change, so I had messed up somewhere.

I forgot about two stops on Day 6. This was a monumental day that started early in The Church Of The Holy Sepulcher and The Via Dolorosa, but after visiting King David’s Palace in the afternoon, we also went on into Hezekiah’s Tunnel and The Pool Of Siloam, before dinner in a Jewish home that evening. Whew! What a day!

So, I wanted to backtrack to the end of Day 6 as we go underground again in The City Of David. (Actually, this would have been the first time…oh, brother!)

Hezekiah’s Tunnel was actually the spot we had discussed the most before our trip. No one was real excited about walking through a cold, wet, and dark ancient tunnel. What shoes do we need, bathing suits, towels? Find out how we resolved this dilemma and came out dry on the other side at The Pool Of Siloam. And the miracle that happened in that pool over 2,000 years ago that got all of Jerusalem talking!

To travel back a a day with me in The Holy Land, just click the link to my Facebook page below.

https://www.facebook.com/Melinda-Mayo-KATV-229461220418343/