Columbia Label Drops Johnny Cash

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Columbia Records has decided to drop Johnny Cash, who spent 28 years recording country music for the label, officials said.

“This is the hardest decision that I’ve ever had to make in my life,” said Rick Blackburn, head of Columbia-Epic-CBS Nashville.

Cash has recorded with Columbia since 1958 but records gospel under the Word-Nashville Records label, which just released his “Believe in Him” album. Cash, 54, has not had a solo Top-10 hit since “The Baron” in 1981.