Sunday, June 14, 2009

Road Trip





Country music star, Marty Stuart, was interviewed by CMT News in 2005 about his Braxton Dickson designed home, formerly owned by Roy Orbison. Next door, Johnny Cash and June Carter lived in another Dickson home.

CMT: What would you like to see be done with Johnny Cash's house?

Stuart: I bought the one next door. I don't need to spend any more money. I hope somebody gets it that respects the house for what it is -- not just because it was his, but because of the integrity of the architecture. Preserves the beauty of the land. It'd be great to be a neighbor to somebody that just simply gets it and understands what's gone on there. Not just because it was Johnny Cash and June Carter's but because it's just a beautiful home. Today, when people build houses in 15 minutes, this is a house that was made to stand the test of time. It's going to take some work to make it fresh and new again, but it's worth whatever effort was put into it. Connie and I bought Roy Orbison's house next door, and it was built by the same architect and builder, a man named Braxton Dickson. I know Braxton's work, and he builds things to last forever and ever. They're one of a kind homes. Whoever gets it, I hope they come prepared to do the work and just let the integrity live again.

This weekend, Rita and I were invited to vist yet another Dickson home in suburban Nashville - and meet the now 88-year old Dickson. This rambling home sits on 11 rolling acres and features a captivating array of doorways, windows spiral stairways and other features, salvaged from convents, hotels and other ornate structures of old and melded into this 8,000 square foot rough hewn wooden structure under metal roof. The workshop out back provides space for the artists who presently reside there.

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