His statue unveiling Johnny Cash at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., were held yesterday with presenters and family members of the late singer speaking about his legacy.

Johnny Cash became the first musician to be honored with a statue in the US Capitol’s Hall of Famed Americans.

The US Air Force Band played the hit “I Walk the Line” at the hour-long ceremony.

Rosanne Cash, Johnny Cash’s daughter, said her Arkansas-born father “achieved the ultimate American dream” with his statue placed next to historical figures such as civil rights activist Daisy Bates, who fought for the removal of segregation in this particular American state.

“What a remarkable day. In my wildest dreams, I couldn’t have imagined” Roseanne Cash pointed out, referring to her father and his sister, Joan, who attended the statue’s unveiling ceremony.

“Last survivor of the original Cass family from Diaz, Arkansas” Roseanne Cash said referring to her aunt. “She has lost her sight and asked if she could touch the statue to feel what it was like. And he did,” he added.

Johnny Cash

“Words cannot express our pride to see my father have such a unique privilege: the first musician in history to be included in the sculpture hall’s collection” he pointed out.

Johnny Cash in the statue, designed by Kevin Kresse, is depicted holding a Bible and a guitar slung over his shoulder. The inscription on the statue reads: “singer, songwriter, artist and humanitarian”.

“This man was a living story of redemption. He faced darkness and met it with love,” said Roseanne Cash. “He was passionate in his work for prisoners’ rights, Native American rights, poor children, and all those who struggled and whose prospects were dim.” underlined.

Johnny Cash

Country music artist Johnny Cash, who died in 2003, wrote more than 600 songs in his lifetime, including hits such as Folsom Prison Blues, Don’t Take Your Guns to Town and I Walk the Line. During his 45-year career the singer-songwriter released more than 70 albums and won 11 Grammy Awards.