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Earlier this summer Legacy Recordings released a new two-disc compilation, “Dylan, Cash and the Nashville Cats: A New Music City.” (Listen to it via Spotify below) The set is a companion piece to an exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame outlining the work of Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash, and the relationship that grew as the former ventured to Nashville in the mid 1960s to explore the sounds – and talents – of Music City. The exhibit – and the album – also highlight the broad array of studio musicians that were the foundation of the city’s music industry, and who assisted an even larger collection of non-country acts who were drawn to the city in subsequent years.

In celebration of that release, the record label this week shared the archival video below of Dylan and Cash performing “Girl From the North Country” on their Facebook page from the very first episode of The Johnny Cash Show. Filmed and broadcast in 1969, the event was a special one. As outlined in this Rolling Stone review of the taping, it was one of Dylan’s first public performances in three years, and it marked one of the earliest glimpses that the American public got of Dylan inside a city that was unsure of what to make of the famed folk-turned-rock 'n' roll star who had made a pilgrimage their way. The video also reveals a Dylan who was put at ease by the companionship, camaraderie and shared respect of Cash.

It is an especially timely look back at Dylan’s journey to Nashville this week as we also received news of the death of Bob Johnston this past Friday. Johnston was a famed producer who worked closely with both Dylan and Cash through their careers and helmed “Nashville Skyline” among so many other classic albums.

Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash perform “Girl from the North Country” on ‘The Johnny Cash Show’ in 1969. The duo’s... Posted by Legacy Recordings on Sunday, August 16, 2015

If the embedded video isn't appearing in your browser, click here to go to the Facebook post.