He used to be a pastor

Cash's multi-billion-dollar fame has made him famous for his "outlaw" image, particularly during the 1960s when he destroyed hotel rooms, drove a Jeep while high, and engaged in combat with the police. This period of his life came to a head when he was expelled from the Grand Ole Opry for disrespectfully and angrily dragging a microphone across the lampstands of the stage while performing at the "mother church" of country music. He then struck a power post with his automobile, shattering his nose and losing numerous teeth in the process. The main cause of Cash's outlandish behavior is drug usage.

Following her 1968 second marriage to June Carter of the illustrious Carter Family, Cash started to reflect on her life through the years and rededicate herself to her Christian origins. After two and a half years of study in the late 1970s, this came to a head, and he graduated with a theology degree and was ordained as a priest.

He was supported in his studies by Reverend Billy Graham, who during these years grew close to the Cash family. Cash presided over his daughter Karen's wedding even though he never tried to lead a congregation or act as a conductor for religious ceremonies. The most overt expression of the religious sentiment that pervaded most of his life was his becoming a pastor.