The Baron (album)

The Baron is an album by American country singer Johnny Cash, released on Columbia Records in 1981 (see 1981 in music). The title track was a top ten hit, and three singles in all — including "Mobile Bay" and "The Reverend Mr. Black" / "Chattanooga City Limit Sign" — were released, though the latter two were rather unsuccessful in the charts, peaking at No. 60 and No. 71.

Cash recorded the album with countrypolitan producer Billy Sherrill. Other sessions with him would be released on the 2014 album Out Among the Stars.

Critical reception
The Boston Globe wrote: "That half of the songs are partly spoken, sometimes over syrupy strings, adds to the embarrassment."

Personnel

 * Johnny Cash – vocals, guitar
 * Pete Wade, Phil Baugh, Terry Jacks, Billy Sanford, Pete Bordonali – guitar
 * Marty Stuart – guitar, fiddle, arrangements
 * Pete Drake, Weldon Myrick – steel guitar
 * Hargus "Pig" Robbins, Bobby Wood – piano
 * Bobby Emmons – keyboards
 * Terry McMillan, Charlie McCoy – harmonica
 * Bob Wray – bass
 * Jerry Carrigan, Kenny Malone, Jerry Kroon – drums
 * Lea Jane Berinati, Millie Forrest, Janie Fricke, The Jordanaires, Millie Kirkham, Louis Nunely, Gordon Stoker, Hurshel Wiginton – background vocals
 * Bill McElhiney – string arrangements
 * Technical
 * Ron Reynolds – engineer
 * Bill Johnson – sleeve design
 * Slick Lawson – photography