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Henry Vaccaro

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Johnny Cash is a Friend of Mine Kindle Edition

by Henry Vaccaro (Author), Mark Sisom (Illustrator), Henry Vaccaro Jr. (Editor) Format: Kindle Edition

4.7 56 ratings

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Rosanne Cash Says "'I have wonderful memories of my dad's decades-long friendship with the wonderful Henry Vaccaro, and his book vividly brought them back to life. Henry's conversational tone and crystal clear recollections make 'Johnny Cash is a Friend of Mine' instantly engaging."

Johnny Cash is a Friend of Mine by Henry Vaccaro
Chronicles a NJ businessman's 30 year friendship with Johnny Cash, jam packed with over a 150 never before seen photos and behind the scenes anecdotes, Johnny Cash is a Friend of Mine provides a glimpse into this legendary private national treasure of man we know as the Man in Black.

Even though it has been almost ten years since the great man’s death, Johnny Cash lives on in American music legend as if he were still here, his guitar slung over his back, walking down a lonesome highway somewhere in our collective imaginations. If nothing else, thanks to his long and prolific career, that boom chicka boom sound still rings out from jukeboxes and stages across the land, and will for hundreds of years to come. But while many movies and books and interviews talk about the star, few that I’ve read talk about the man himself—or at least, not the way I knew him.

My book, Johnny Cash is a Friend of Mine, details my 30-year friendship with one of the best men I’ve ever known. I was not one of Johnny’s musically skilled friends or one of his celebrity friends, but yet I was often there on the bus or backstage in his dressing room. I was even, on one of the saddest days of my life, a pallbearer at his funeral. Johnny and I took our families to Bimini for vacations, and we spent many an evening gorging on Italian food in my hometown of Asbury Park, NJ. We even bought a hotel together there. Johnny and June loved Asbury Park so much they made it part time home. Via a little bit of my own life story as a successful New Jersey businessman, building contractor and co-founder and Chairman of the Board of the Kramer Guitar Company, this book tells about that other side of Johnny, the side that wasn’t constantly tanned and weathered by the limelight that always (and rightly) shone upon him.

Because we all know how talented Johnny was musically and professionally, this book instead tells of his quiet side, his helpful side, his humanitarian side. It talks of his partnership with June, an amazing person in her own right, and it details the rare times in his hard-working life when he got a chance to slow down and catch a breath. Complete with pictures and anecdotes, Johnny Cash is a Friend of Mine was almost as fun to compile as it was to be with the Man in Black himself. For those of us who knew him personally, this book will create a lot of “Oh yeah! I remember that!”-moments, and for those who didn’t have the honor and pleasure, this book will help you get to know him.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

At age 20, Henry Vaccaro's passion for all things construction lead him to establish, The Henry V. Vaccaro Corporation, in his Jersey Shore hometown of Asbury Park, New Jersey. Through decades of hard work and dedication, his company thrived and he found himself as one of New Jersey's premier contractors, building over $ 1 Billion worth of projects. Fate brought Vaccaro to develop his own warehouse industrial park in nearby Neptune, which soon housed the newly-formed Kramer Guitar Company. With Vaccaro's investment and guidance, Kramer became the leading American-made guitar manufacturer in the world through the 1980's with endorsements from Rock and Roll greats Eddie Van Halen, Bon Jovi and Motley Crue and top country artists Hank Williams JR, The Oak Ridge Boys, Kenny Rogers and the band behind his idol, Johnny Cash's Tennessee Three. Through this introduction Cash would become a close friend to Vaccaro for decades to come. This friendship lead to business partnerships and fishing trips, as they purchased and restored the Berkeley Carteret Hotel in Asbury Park. The families often went to Bimini in the Bahamas for Big Game Fishing. Their hotel opened to rave reviews and won numerous awards and jump started Asbury Park's Beachfront Redevelopment which Vaccaro spearheaded. While their friendship flourished, in the late 1980's the real estate market crash left Vaccaro bankrupt. With Johnny's support, Vaccaro eventually returned to church and back to his first love, construction, now demolishing the deserted, distressed buildings of the past to clear the way for Asbury Park's new beachfront development. Vaccaro, perhaps almost single-handed, brought Asbury Park back to life once again, decades later working tirelessly behind the scenes negotiating a new redevelopment deal affording both the man and the city a second chance. Vaccaro after losing Kramer Guitar from a failed venture with the famous Jackson Family, prevailed in court, that resulted in Vaccaro obtaining the largest collection of Michael Jackson memorabilia in the world including rare master recordings, photographs, and films. Today Vaccaro's passion leads him to visit World War II battlefield sites around the world to pay homage to those who have fought and died for his country; the home that allowed him to become a successful businessman, sport fisherman, contractor, father, equipment operator, Johnny Cash fan, patriot and history buff and now author with "Johnny Cash is a friend of Mine"

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B008PFGR2M
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Iconic Entertainment LLC (July 12, 2012)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 12, 2012
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 6662 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 158 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #1,791,802 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #2,597 in Biographies of Composers & Musicians
- #14,566 in Composer & Musician Biographies
- #24,006 in Memoirs (Kindle Store)

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4.7 56 ratings

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Henry Vaccaro

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Journeyman, Fisherman, Contractor, Developer, Collector, Investor, Family Man, Johnny Cash Fan, and World War II Buff ...Isn't that enough?

Not for Henry Vaccaro who has more facets than the hope diamond. Let's start with his first love construction. Henry formed the Henry V. Vaccaro Corp. at the age of 20 after the passing of his beloved Father, the town Doctor, Sebastian P. Vaccaro M.D.

Henry's first big construction job was in 1960 at the Sunset Avenue pavilion in his hometown of Asbury Park, New Jersey. Construction is in his blood, that blood flowed to over $800 million in construction projects including schools, prisons, hospitals and senior citizen complexes throughout the state of New Jersey.

In the 1970's, Henry's construction business flourished, He divested into developing his own 18 building industrial park in nearby Neptune New Jersey, which housed the newly formed Kramer Guitar Co. With his investment and guidance, he led Kramer to eventually becoming the leading American made guitar company through the 1980's with endorsements by super stars Eddie Van Halen, Bon Jovi, Motley Crue, and Johnny Cash. It is through ownership in Kramer that he befriended his childhood hero, Johnny Cash.

In 1983 Henry along with his brother Sebastian and friends Johnny Cash and TV anchorman Ernie Anastos purchased and refurbished the Berkeley Carteret Hotel with a $16 million restoration. The Berkeley Carteret Hotel opened to rave reviews in 1985 and went on to win numerous awards including a national award in Washington DC for the best project in the United States that utilized public and private funds.

In 1985 Henry and his brother Sebastian purchased over 40 properties in Asbury Park and formed a partnership with Carabetta Enterprises Inc from Connecticut and this entity known as Carabetta Vaccaro Developers LLC was awarded the Asbury Park beachfront redevelopment contract.

During the late 1980's the real estate market fell apart and with it the beachfront development. The Bank of Boston, which was the main lender, was itself in financial difficulties eventually forcing Carabetta into bankruptcy. Henry also fell on hard times and filed personal bankruptcy. The Berkeley Carteret Hotel was eventually sold off at sheriff sale.

Henry was beaten but he was not out. You ask him and he'll tell you "The only thing that went bankrupt was my wallet" While Henry struggled with what had happened, his old friend Johnny Cash stood by his side and helped him come to peace with it. Henry abided his time by continuing his efforts to save his hometowns rebirth and redeem what was his.

Due to Henry's efforts of introducing the new developers into the beachfront project a resurgence is now happening. The sun is starting to shine brightly on this pearl by the shore. Henry has now re-focused on his first love construction. His demolition company is now tearing down old buildings that have cleared the way for the new beachfront development. Asbury Park has gotten a second chance and so has Henry Vaccaro.

In an attempt to salvage the Kramer Guitar Company, Henry entered into a contract with the Jackson Family to purchase the assets of the company. The family's Company Jackson Communications Inc. made one payment and then defaulted. Henry sued them and won a judgment for $1.6 million, which eventually led to his seizure of largest collection of Michael Jackson memorabilia in the world including rare unreleased master recordings, photography and film. Henry was then embroiled in a $100 million lawsuit with superstar Michael Jackson which Henry won, allowing him to use Michael Jackson's name and likeness unfettered.

Henry's new quest is to visit World War II battlefield sites both in Europe and the vast Pacific and pay homage and honor those that have fought and died for our Country. His travels have taken him from the jungles of Guadalcanal and Bougainville to the fortifications at Normandy and to the Belgium Town of Bastogne. He has climbed Mt. Suribachi on Iwo Jima and walked the last kilometer of the Death March of Bataan in the Philippines.

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Carol Cahill

Awesome heartfelt stories of a true friendship with Johnny Cash

Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2012

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This is the very first review that I've ever written to promote a book/author. I just finished reading it, and decided that I have to get the word out there. This book, which is jammed packed with interesting stories, and over 150 photos, is totally worth promoting. I for one, am very glad that first time author, Henry Vaccaro, decided to share his over 30 year friendship with music legend Johnny Cash. I learned so much more about Johnny thru this book, like that he wasn't just an outstanding performer/songwriter, but he also took the time to help so many people along his journey on earth.

You will get lots of "behind the scenes" looks into the life of Johnny Cash and his family, and learn how Henry became a true friend to Johnny. You will also find out first hand how incredibly kind and generous Johnny Cash was not only to Henry, but also to his entire family and friends. It will truly make you wonder about the twist of fate, realize that things happen for a reason, and that when paths cross life changes.

This book is written from the heart, and in a style that makes it like you are actually hearing the stories from the mouth of Henry himself, and not via written words. It will make you laugh out loud one minute, and bring a tear to your eye the next. Plus each of the 24 chapters has lots of priceless photos, that document Henry's remarkable friendship with the Man in Black, can't get any better than that, right?! The photos truly help make this friendship come to life, with the whole "picture is worth a 1,000 words" thing.

I have to give "Johnny Cash Is A Friend Of Mine" five stars, as I thoroughly enjoyed each and every page/photo. I have to also add that I'm sure Johnny Cash is now smiling down on Henry Vaccaro for helping keep his memory alive! So to all you Johnny Cash lovers out there, trust me on this one, you totally need to read this book! You won't be sorry, and you'll be certain to learn something new about the Man in Black, I know I did! :)

8 people found this helpful

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D. Gardner

Johnny Cash Is A Friend Of Mine

Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2013

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This was a very good book very well put together. I loved it. I love any thing to do with Johnny Cash. I would recommend it to all my Johnny Cash friends or any one who wants to know any thing about Johnny Cash and what kind of person he was. And from reading this book I can see that Henry Vaccaro had a very special friendship with Johnny Cash. It is a great book.

Very Awesome Book. Had a lot of history in it. Showed how close friends Johnny Cash and his family and Henry's Family were and what good friends they were. Filled with lots of adventures and story's. Couldn't put the book down once I picked it up to read it. This book showed a lot of love and respect for Johnny Cash by Henry. One of my many favorite story in the book was when Johnny Cash,John Carter Cash (John Carter Cash is Johnny Cash's son), Bob Wootton (Bob Wootton was Johnny Cash's lead guitar player in his band The Tennessee Three), Henry and some one some one else when down to Bimini to go fishing and Johnny Cash and John Carter Cash stayed behind and didn't go fishing that day with the rest of the guys and short story short the guys reeled in a 50 pound bale of Marijuana.There are so many great story's in this book. Then had to explain to Johnny Cash when they got back to the dock. Not going to say any more. Don't want to give the story away.So you have to read the book. I also thought the story with the Kramer Guitar was interesting and the whole history of Asbury Park is interesting as well. My favorite Picture in the book is where Johnny Cash and Henry are raising the POW MIA Flag. And the one were Henry is saluting Good By to his friend Johnny Cash When Johnny Cash had passed away. I also thought it was neat how Henry arranged for his friend to play the Bag Pipes at Johnny Cash's funeral. All I have to say is you have to read the book. It is a great book.

2 people found this helpful

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PamG

Great story teller shares lifelong Johnny Cash friendship

Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2013

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Last Summer I had the unique pleasure to meet Henry Vaccaro at his brother, Sam's, picnic in Ocean Grove, NJ. Henry was very engaging and for over two hours regaled us with his life adventures enjoyed with Johnny Cash and family. He shared that he was in fact working on a book with all those great intimate photos collected over the years. I've heard such dreams many times from others, but this would be author actually had an iPad with him that showed he was serious and well on his way to actually writing that book, not just dreaming about it, showing photos to support what often seemed like stories too over-the-top to be real. But he was the real thing and I looked forward to seeing him actually publish. When he did, I ordered the book and was not disappointed. It was amazing to read his words that came across exactly how we had heard the story telling bakc that Summer. This is a very readable book with rare and unique phots to support the tales of two families who came together and were genuine good people living life to the fullest. I loved Henry's writng and recommend it to anyone who likes a good American success story (wiht all its ups and downs). There is to be a sequel that promises to be equally interesting involving the Jackson family and I cna't wait to see it based on the peek Henry gave us that day at the picnic.

3 people found this helpful

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douglas j. labarbera

Henry Vaccaro gives us a gift: The real, human Johnny Cash!!

Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2014

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This is a wonderful book that humanizes Johnny Cash in a way that I am sure he would be proud. Henry Vaccaro, who himself has led an extremely interesting life, was and is a true fan of John R. Cash. And with God's help, or incredible luck, he became good friends with Mr. Cash. Mr. Vaccaro's book is filled with wonderful, natural, heartwarming photos and back-stories. We longtime Cash fans will feel as if we have been given a rare glimpse of the real man, not just the icon and legend. We should thank Mr. Vaccaro, not just for his book, but for his ability to know what we fans have always wanted to discover and understand about the person, Johnny Cash. I am glad we can now rest assured that what we believed has been so lovingly revealed, thanks to this book: which is how kind, generous, sympathetic, and loving (along with being arguably the most essential American musician in history) the real Johnny Cash was. Johnny Cash is a Friend of Mine, is an absolutely magical reading and viewing experience. You will be so glad you have this book. Really!!!

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