The picture says it all. Below you will see the original Billboard Magazine ad as it first appeared. Soon after, American Recordings printed some up as posters and distributed them to various record stores in very limited quantities. I used the ad for illustration to avoid any damage to this poster.

From the “Unearthed” Liner notes:

“The ad struck a resonant chord with Johnny’s fellow musicians. Like the 1969 San Quentin prison concert where the “bird” photo came from, it was the perfect gesture of defiance, of an individual squaring up to the establishment and its arbitrary, hard-hearted rules. Suddenly, the American offices were deluged with requests for copies of the adfrom artists, most of whom bristled at their treatment by the music industry. It got to the point where American had posters made of it, because every day another musician or recording studio would call up with a request. (Ironically, even executives at Warner Brothers Records proudly displayed framed copes of the ad in their offices). And Willie Nelson posted it in his tour bus, with no end of travelling bands following his lead.”

Classic Cash, and a “must have” for any fan. The perfect conversation piece (I’ve had one framed for years!).

This is the infamous promo-only poster for the Johnny Cash album “Unchained” Grammy win. It features the CLASSIC Jim Marshall “finger” photo.

It measures 11 X 17 inches and reads “American Recordings and Johnny Cash would like to acknowledge the Nashville music establishment and country radio for your support.”

As you know, he was virtually ABANDONED by Nashville throughout the “American Recordings” era yet still continued to win Grammy after Grammy.