Debbie Horton

Debbie Horton is an American guitarist, DJ and songwriter who is the only woman to have ever played lead guitar for Johnny Cash.

Involvement with Johnny Cash

During a concert near Baltimore, Maryland Johnny Cash had heard that Debbie Horton was there and that she played lead guitar in a similar way to Luther Perkins. During the concert Cash called Horton out of the audience to join him on stage to perform a song with him. Cash sang Big River while Horton played lead guitar. The performance was recently featured on JohnnyCash.com Radio and Horton holds the distinction of being the only woman to have played lead guitar for Cash. Horton had a 22 year acquaintance with Cash and was a guest at his home in Hendersonville, Tennessee. She was not Debbie Horton at the time, she was Debbie Burr. Now she is Debbie Wright. Why she still calles herself Horton is a mystery... (Bookings????)Apparently she forgot that Mother Maybell Carter played lead guitar on several occassions for Johnny Cash!!!!!! It is Mother Maybell who actually held and still holds the distinction of being the first woman to play lead guitar for Johnny Cash as seen on youtube the Johnny Cash Show 1973. Johnny didn't even let Debbie play the entire song.

DJ

Horton was the first female disk jockey at radio station WCMS-FM in Norfolk, Virginia (6pm to midnight, 6 nights a week) and has acted as concert MC at concerts for Kenny Rogers, The Oak Ridge Boys, and Hank Williams, Jr. She interviewed Buck Owens and actor Dennis Weaver for feature shows.

Songwriter

Horton has written many songs and two of her compositions were recorded by Grand Ole Opry star, Pretty Miss Norma Jean and rockabilly queen, Wanda Jackson.

Performer

Presently Debbie Horton is the co-host of a traveling show from Branson, Missouri, featuring a tribute to Johnny Cash. She can be seen regularly on the RFD-TV television show, Midwest Country.