In 1993, Johnny Cash found himself at a crossroads in his career. Between contracts and nearly 40 years into his journey, the Man in Black recorded a series of self-penned songs at LSI Studios in Nashville. These sessions, held in a studio owned by his daughter and son-in-law, were intended to help the family financially and capture some deeply personal material. Not long after, Cash met producer Rick Rubin, and their partnership would go on to revitalize Cash's career with the acclaimed American Recordings series, leaving these tracks shelved.

Fast forward thirty years. Cash's son, John Carter Cash, had stumbled upon these long-lost demos. Teaming up with co-producer David Ferguson, a longtime friend of Johnny's, they decided to breathe new life into the recordings. The result is Songwriter, an album that strips the songs back to Cash's powerful voice and acoustic guitar, before adding contributions from a handpicked group of musicians who had played with Johnny. Recording at the Cash Cabin in Hendersonville, Tennessee, a sanctuary built by Johnny himself, Cash and Ferguson aimed to honor the original spirit of the songs. Marty Stuart, a former member of Johnny’s band, and the late bassist Dave Roe, who also played on the original 1993 sessions, were essential to this endeavor. Drummer Pete Abbott joined them, along with several other Nashville stalwarts, to create a sound that feels both timeless and of today.

Songwriter features songs of love, family, sorrow, beauty, and redemption, all delivered in Cash’s unmistakable voice. Tracks like "Hello Out There" reflect his concern for the world, while "I Love You Tonight" is a heartfelt tribute to his wife, June Carter Cash. “Drive On” and “Like A Soldier,” which touch on themes of pain and recovery, were first recorded during these sessions but would later appear in different forms on the American Recordings albums. The approach was to keep the production true to his father’s vision. "We went straight to the roots," says Cash. "We built as if Dad was in the room." This philosophy extended to the musicianship, with each player understanding Johnny’s nuances and energies, making it feel as though they were recording with him once again.

The album not only serves as a personal catharsis for Cash but also as a tribute to his father's legacy. "It's not about selling Johnny Cash; he would be doing that himself," he says. "I'm grateful this record is here because it reminds me of who my father was." For fans old and new, Songwriter offers a deeper look into the genius of Johnny Cash, emphasizing his talent as a songwriter.