When The Man in Black Came to Town
On a warm September day in 1974, the quiet community of Wheeler, Alabama found itself caught up in something unforgettable. The legendary Johnny Cash arrived to film scenes for a nationally televised documentary, Ridin’ the Rails: The Great American Train Story. In a moment’s notice, word spread, and a crowd began to gather. Folks skipped school, left work early, and drove in from all over the county just to catch a glimpse of the Man in Black in the flesh.
Cash’s visit wasn’t a concert or public appearance—it was a working day on the set of a television special. The filming took place in a rural stretch near the train tracks in Wheeler, and locals remember seeing lights, sound crews, and the familiar silhouette of Johnny Cash himself, guitar in hand.
Johnny Cash performing in a wooded area during the filming of the documentary. Photo courtesy of Robin Brackin Dotson.
People gathered quietly nearby. Some got autographs. A few snapped photos. One woman had her white bell bottoms signed by Cash—something she treasured for years, even after stitching over the autograph in an attempt to preserve it. Another family recalls him stopping by their grandparents’ store for a sandwich during a break in filming. Whether it was a handshake, a wave, or just a sighting, everyone who was there came away with a story.
Photo courtesy of Angie Hughes.
Broadcast later that year on ABC, Ridin’ the Rails was a musical documentary that blended history, storytelling, and performances by Johnny Cash. It was a tribute to the great American railroad and the vital role it played in building the country.
Cash narrated the special and performed several well-known songs, including “City of New Orleans,” “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” and the title track, “Ridin’ the Rails.” The film featured historical reenactments—like the Great Locomotive Chase—and shared the stories of engineers, brakemen, passengers, and pioneers who traveled by rail.
Scenes for the documentary were shot across several Southern states. While some of the more well-known filming locations included historic rail sites in Georgia, it was Wheeler that gave the documentary a unique, grounded setting, and brought a little piece of small-town Alabama to television screens across the nation.
Ridin’ The Rails was a tribute to the great American railroads.
Wheeler and nearby Courtland weren’t randomly selected for filming. Courtland has deep roots in rail history. In the 1800s, the Courtland railroad line helped drive the local economy, transporting cotton, timber, and passengers across the region. The historic charm and authenticity of these small towns made them the perfect backdrop for Cash’s tribute to America’s rails.
The stretch of track used in filming, along with the surrounding fields and wooded areas, gave the film crew exactly what they needed—a rural Southern landscape full of texture and history.
Though Johnny Cash’s visit to Wheeler lasted only a short while, the impression he left on the community has lasted for generations. Old photographs, saved autographs, and childhood memories have turned that one day in 1974 into something of a local legend.
Cash’s signature from the day of filming in Wheeler. Photo courtesy of Susan Statham.
It was a time when Lawrence County briefly stood still—when the ordinary became extraordinary—and a beloved American icon gave a small Alabama town its moment in the spotlight.
You can watch the full documentary on YouTube here.
Were you in Wheeler that day? Do you have an old photo, autograph, or family story from Johnny Cash’s visit? We’d love to help share those memories. Reach out and help us continue preserving this special moment in Lawrence County’s history.
