A Legendary Country Hit Is Finding New Life in an Unexpected Way
- - A Legendary Country Hit Is Finding New Life in an Unexpected Way
Nina ClevingerDecember 23, 2025 at 11:02 PM
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An Arkansas native, Sawyer Hill started playing live gigs in bars at the age of 15.
He first went majorly viral around 2023, with the song "Look at the Time." He's since spent the past few years on tour, most recently opening up for Ozzy-protégé, Yungblud.
While on the road, Hill teased audiences with a cover of the legendary Johnny Cash song, "Folsom Prison Blues."
He officially recorded and released his version to streaming platforms on Nov. 21, 2025.
"This song was a labor of love for all of you who heard this one on tour, as well as an homage to the great [Johnny Cash] one of my biggest inspirations as an artist," Hill wrote, via Instagram.
"No metronome, fully live tracked ... turn it up loud," he added.
On December 16, Hill shared the acoustic version of his cover—this time, recorded at the iconic Cash Cabin, a studio built by Johnny himself on his Hendersonville, Tennessee, property in 1979.
"[Johnny Cash] decided to build a log cabin in the middle of this enclosure, hoping for a place where he could find solace and peace, somewhere to write his songs and poetry, take it easy and relax," reads the Cash Cabin website.
Since its inception, dozens of musicians and celebrities have graced the halls of Cash Cabin, including: Elvis Costello, Tom Petty, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, Bono, and Loretta Lynn, to name a few.
Aside from his visit to the legendary studio, Hill received a "rare co-sign" from John Carter Cash, the only son of Johnny & June (Carter) Cash, per Country News on Instagram.
"After catching the performance online, John Carter Cash personally reached out with his approval and enthusiasm for Sawyer’s take on his father’s classic, a rare co-sign that speaks to the authenticity behind the cover," reads the caption.
Hill responded himself, commenting: "Studio version is out now! Thank you guys for sharing <3"
On April 18, 2025, Hill released his first EP, Heartbreak Hysteria.
This story was originally published by Parade on Dec 23, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
