The result was a unique blend of musical genres. As Edwards reports: "The first big hit, 'I Walk the Line,' established Cash as a performer who didn't quite fit the mold of traditional country or the new crowd, the rock 'n' rollers. Folk, maybe — or perhaps a category uniquely his own, called Cash."

Cash admits he's hard to categorize, musically and politically. "Maybe it is a conscious thing to be all over the place," he says. "A person of my position and situation is in a position of responsibility, for one thing, to answer the call for those who need a voice. I'm not saying that I'm the nobleman to jump up and rally to the call, but sometimes I can remember to."

His famous recordings in — and about — prisons added to the Cash mystique. In 1968, Cash actually recorded a live version of his 1955 song "Folsom Prison Blues" at the California prison by that name.

"Well, my whole thing about recording in prisons was because I thought it would make an interesting record. I heard that sound of that audience applauding me in a prison in 1957. And I told my band that day, I said, 'We've got to record a show at a prison and get that audience response on record.'"

In the interview with Edwards, Cash also touches on the religious influences of his music, including "The Man Comes Around," the title track of his new CD, and "Personal Jesus," the 1987 hit by Depeche Mode. "To me it's a very fine, fine evangelical song, although I don't think that's why it was written," Cash says. "It's where do you find your comfort, your counsel, your shoulder to lean on, your hand to hold to, your personal Jesus."

As for the variety of artists he has covered, Cash says with a laugh: "Nobody's safe." "Personal Jesus"!! yeah, but try doing the "Personal Jesus" line dance to Cash's version.

NPR's Cash page has an extended version of the interview, links to other Cash stories and music and is well worth a visit.