Remember When Johnny Cash Threw Hands With an Ostrich and Lost?

Like many of his contemporaries, Johnny Cash didn’t just sing about a fascinating life; he lived one. Between his run-ins with the law, his drug addiction, and adventurous spirit, Cash had more than enough stories to fill up a lengthy and colorful memoir. And he did, as he wrote and published his second autobiography, Cash: The Autobiography, in 1997.

Videos by American Songwriter

As one might imagine, Cash pulls back the curtain on his life and career in a very candid manner. In addition to the traumatic and monumental stories everyone might expect in this memoir, there is one other story that is incredibly unexpected. That story involves a semi-retired Johnny Cash and an angry ostrich.

By 1981, Johnny Cash had reached a crossroads in his life and career. Struggling with the consequences of addiction and grappling with his creative image, Cash had begun to live a quiet life on his farm and home in Hendersonville, Tennessee, right outside of Nashville. The so-called “House of Cash” included home recording studios, farm land, and an array of different animals, including ostriches.

Johnny Cash’s Detailed Account

In his 1997 book, Johnny Cash detailed his duel in full. Before the encounter with the ostrich, Cash recalled that freezing temperatures had taken the life of the male ostrich’s mate. Consequently, the male ostrich protected his space in a very hostile manner. Though being the owner of that land, Cash was not going to let an overgrown bird take charge. So, one day, Cash, armed with a six-foot stick, went to put the ostrich in his place.

Telling the story, Cash wrote, “When I came back, I was carrying a good stout six-foot stick, and I was prepared to use it. And sure enough, there he was on the trail in front of me, doing his thing. When he started moving toward me, I went on the offensive, taking a good, hard swipe at him.”

“I missed… He wasn’t there. He was in the air, and a split second later, he was on his way down again, with that big toe of his, larger than my size-thirteen shoe, extended toward my stomach. [The ostrich] made contact—I’m sure there was never any question he wouldn’t—and frankly, I got off lightly,” added Cash.

“Lightly” is an understatement. The lost battle with the ostrich resulted in several broken ribs and a gash on Cash’s stomach.

When it comes to legends such as Johnny Cash, one might believe their stories have been told in full. However, like a good onion, Cash had layers, and given this story, there is no way to tell just how many he truly had.

Photo by David Redfern/Redferns