38 years after Johnny Cash's historic concert at Folsom

REPRESA, CALIFORNIA - January 13, 1968, Johnny Cash took the stage at Folsom State Prison for a historic concert that galvanized the audience of hundreds of inmates.

Cash, despite strong resistance from his record label, was moved to perform at Folsom after receiving thousands of letters from prison inmates around the country, explaining how his music had put them on the path to rehabilitation and redemption.

Respecting, rather than fearing his audience at Folsom, Cash connected with the men, all of whom were doing hard time.

Now, nearly four decades later, the Prison Fellowship and Folsom Chaplain Larry West have invited Twentieth Century Fox and actor Joaquin Phoenix to screen the Cash biopic "Walk The Line" for inmates at the penitentiary; Mr. Phoenix portrays the legendary "Man in Black" in the picture.

The studio and Mr. Phoenix have accepted the invitation, and the film will screen at Folsom on January 3, 2006. The Fellowship hopes "Walk The Line," a leading Oscar contender, will inspire the prisoners, much as Cash's 1968 concert did.

"We invited Twentieth Century Fox to screen 'Walk The Line' at Folsom because the lesson of Johnny Cash is that it's never too late for a man to turn his life around, and that's a story these men need to hear," said Joe Avila, California executive director, Prison Fellowship.

"John believed in the power of redemption and offered his unique gift to anyone who needed to find it within them, and in the process, he inspired millions," said Joaquin Phoenix.

"I can think of no greater way to honor him than to carry on his legacy of using music to connect to all people," added Joaquin Phoenix.

Founded in 1976 by Chuck Colson, Prison Fellowship partners with local churches across the country to minister to a group that society often scorns and neglects: prisoners, ex-prisoners, and their families.

WALK THE LINE will bow to Philippine cinemas on February 1 from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.