On October 14th, 2017, the Johnny Cash Trail completed construction, and the trail was open for public use. Since then, the City of Folsom has been advocating and working towards installing a world-class art experience that celebrates and honors the legendary Johnny Cash, his music, and his history in the City of Folsom. As of Tuesday, January 9th, 2024, 7 years after the inception of the trail, the council agreed to execute a contract for construction, putting in place the momentum of getting the first completed art piece installed: Johnny Cash's Pick No. 1.
About the Picks
Adan Romo of Romo Studios, LLC, the art studio tasked with creating the pieces for the Johnny Cash Art Trail, felt a sense of rhythm and was inspired by the winding shape of the trail. His vision for the trail aims to take you through the journey of Cash's life, punctuated by impactful moments during his career.
Johnny's music career began at the age of 12 with a guitar pick and a six-string, so it felt appropriate to start the trail with this memory as well. Towering at a height of 7 feet, the black bronze guitar pick will greet hikers and bikers with the catalyst that birthed the Man-in-Black himself.
There will also be another Pick (Johnny Cash Pick No. 2) that will be installed at the other end of the trail, so no matter what side you start on, you'll always begin with Cash's Pick.
From Conception to Inception
Since October 2014, Folsom has been working to bring the whole Johnny Cash Art Trail to life, completing construction in 2017 with a grand opening and efforts to begin producing the art pieces for the trail. In November of that year, Folsom contracted Romo Studios to make a mold of the first pick, which was completed at the end of summer in 2023.
Later, in September 2023, Assemblyman Josh Hoover helped secure $425,000, which will be used to fabricate and install the second of Cash's Picks at the end of the trail. Folsom is working with RRM Design Group to complete the landscape design of the trail, construction drawings, and art experience placements along the trail for future implementation.
On December 13th, 2023, the project was presented to the Arts and Culture Commission for their consideration and recommendation, where they supported the initiative and forwarded recommendations to the Folsom City Council for approval of a resolution to execute a contract with Central Valley Engineering and Asphalt. Inc. for the construction of Cash's Pick No. 1.
The installation of Cash's Pick will bring a striking new work of public art to the trail. Construction for the pick will include the placement of the stunning bronze sculpture and a 20-foot cast-iron "record deck," as well as other site furnishings.
If you want to find out more about the installation and progress of the project, visit our website, follow us on social media, or read more about it in Gold Country Media's article here.