Folsom gives up on 2nd giant guitar pick, opts for Johnny Cash bronze sculpture

After federal officials denied a second giant guitar pick monument, city officials on Dec. 9 switched to a life-size bronze statue along the evolving Johnny Cash Art Experience Trail in Folsom. The Johnny Cash Trail is a roughly 2.4-mile paved Class I Trail honoring Cash's historic 1968 Folsom Prison concert and song, "Folsom Prison Blues." Cash performed at more than 30 prisons since the 1950s, culminating in live albums recorded at Folsom and San Quentin prisons in 1968 and 1969. The trail from the Folsom Historic District to the lake offers scenic views while eight Cash-inspired, interactive art experience stations are planned along the prison-area route. The city is promoting the trail as a tourist destination and gaining worldwide interest and "hits" online. The first art project – a giant guitar pick at the west end – was unveiled last year. But the planned spot for Pick #2 to bookend the trail at the lake was found to be on U.S. Bureau of Reclamation property, officials said. During the license application, the bureau determined the plan constituted a "monument," prohibited on federal land. Bureau officials said the 2018 agreement with the city states, "This artwork is not to be construed as a memorial or monument to Johnny Cash." "It has become clear that the artwork is a memorial to Johnny Cash or Johnny Cash's visit to Folsom in 1968," said Reclamation Area Manager Drew Lessard in a letter to the city. "We are no longer able to proceed with a use authorization for artwork to be placed on Reclamation land." Folsom staff then discontinued Pick #2 efforts and studied alternative proposals along the trail that could be delivered in the grant timeline and budget. The "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash" bronze sculpture planned near the east end of the trail was identified as the next viable project, said Folsom Parks spokesman Tom Hellman. "It is the staff's recommendation that we abandon Cash's Pick No. 2 ... and focus our attention on the next art experience that would signify entry onto the Johnny Cash Trail from the east end," Hellman wrote in the report. The $425,000 guitar pick grant pushed by State Assemblyman Josh Hoover was then legally redirected to the "Man in Bronze." The sculpture will be west of Johnny Cash Bridge, as presented in the Trail Art Experience Master Plan. The station will feature Cash with his guitar, symbolizing his musical legacy and deep connection to American storytelling and folk traditions, staff said. Fabricated using traditional bronze casting methods, the statue is designed for long-term durability in an outdoor environment. Artist Adan Romo of Romo Studios confirmed an estimated 11-month project. The window would allow for installation by December 2026 to meet the grant deadline, authorities said. Meanwhile, Mayor Sarah Aquino expressed concern about artistic license during the Dec. 9 council meeting. Some officials were surprised the first guitar pick did not have "Cash" or other script on it, as originally approved by the council. "I think that was disappointing in some people's eyes," said Aquino. "I think the two pieces are distinctly different where there would not be that situation," explained Hellman. Councilmember Barbara Leary explained that while she was also disappointed, the change without the script was, however, presented and approved along the way by the Arts & Culture Commission and Council. "I was as surprised as anybody when I came to the grand unveiling of the sculpture to see it was not right with what was initially approved," said Leary. Councilmember Mike Kozlowski said he was impressed with the first guitar pick monument base, made to look like a vinyl record. "If the opportunity presents itself, grooving that pavement so it looks like he's sitting on a record would be pretty awesome," said Kozlowski. The City Council unanimously approved the bronze Johnny Cash sculpture project at the Dec. 9 meeting.