--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Convicts are the best audience I ever…" description: "\"Convicts are the best audience I ever played for.\" — Johnny Cash" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/102/johnny-cash-1517_audience_convicts-are-the-best-audience-i-ever-pl_2290245.jpg" --- # Convicts are the best audience I ever played for. ![“Convicts are the best audience I ever played for.” quote by Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/102/johnny-cash-1517_audience_convicts-are-the-best-audience-i-ever-pl_2290245.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/102/johnny-cash-1517_audience_convicts-are-the-best-audience-i-ever-pl_2290245.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/102/johnny-cash-1517_audience_convicts-are-the-best-audience-i-ever-pl_2290245.jpg) > “Convicts are the best audience I ever played for.” [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Finds that prisoners are an attentive, honest audience for performance. **In simple terms:** Inmates listen closely and appreciate authenticity. Key Takeaway Respect all audiences, regardless of status. Themes music audience perception social marginalization Mood reflective empathetic Type ethical inspirational When to use this quote - concert planning - community outreach - rehabilitation programs - artist‑audience engagement Key Concepts sociology performance studies psychology Questions to Reflect On - How does performing for marginalized groups affect an artist’s work? - What responsibilities do artists have toward such audiences? A Different Perspective Audience may be limited to specific venues; content may be censored. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Audience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/audience/) [Audience Played](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/audience-played-2388226/) [Best Audience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best-audience-315382/) [Convicts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/convicts/) [Convicts Best](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/convicts-best-5378072/) [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Played](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/played/) ## Related quotes > [My father, good or bad, mistakes or no, had a direct line from his heart to the music to the people, to the audience.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-rubinstein/my-father-good-or-bad-mistakes-or-no-had-a-direct-line-from-his-heart/) [Arthur Rubinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-rubinstein/) > [...You believe that the kind of story you want to tell might be best received by the science fiction and fantasy audience. I hope…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/you-believe-that-the-kind-of-story-you-want-to-tell-might-be-best/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) > [“Blind people are the best audience; they will be treated according to the formula; it’s easy to excite them; it’s easy to wake them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dejan-stojanovic/blind-people-are-the-best-audience-they-will-be-treated-according-to/) [Dejan Stojanovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dejan-stojanovic/) > [Audiences are an unknown mystery to me, so I can't really predict anything. For me, the best audience is myself, my crew, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/takashi-miike/audiences-are-an-unknown-mystery-to-me-so-i-can-t-really-predict/) [Takashi Miike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/takashi-miike/) > [The best audience is one that is intelligent, well-educated, and a little drunk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alben-w-barkley/the-best-audience-is-one-that-is-intelligent-well-educated-and-a/) [Alben W. Barkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alben-w-barkley/) > [If you want the best audience, make your way up North to be honest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-mortimer/if-you-want-the-best-audience-make-your-way-up-north-to-be-honest/) [Bob Mortimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-mortimer/) > [I think test screening works at its best when the audience knows what it's getting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-levinson/i-think-test-screening-works-at-its-best-when-the-audience-knows-what/) [Barry Levinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-levinson/) > [The best audience is intelligent, well-educated and a little drunk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alben-w-barkley/the-best-audience-is-intelligent-well-educated-and-a-little-drunk/) [Alben W. Barkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alben-w-barkley/) > [I've always said that I myself am not the best audience for my own work, because I'm just not that receptive to comedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-solondz/i-ve-always-said-that-i-myself-am-not-the-best-audience-for-my-own/) [Todd Solondz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-solondz/) > [As an actor my job is to deliver the best so that the audience not only likes my roles but also remembers them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/himani-shivpuri/as-an-actor-my-job-is-to-deliver-the-best-so-that-the-audience-not/) [Himani Shivpuri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/himani-shivpuri/) > [I've always thought of the audience. I just want to entertain the audience. That's what it's about: what's good for the movie, what's best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-cruise/i-ve-always-thought-of-the-audience-i-just-want-to-entertain-the/) [Tom Cruise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-cruise/) > [Allen Anderson speaks from the heart about subjects he loves; this enthralls audiences everywhere. His outlook is realistic but invariably positive, encouraging everyone to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-koster/allen-anderson-speaks-from-the-heart-about-subjects-he-loves-this/) [Henry Koster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-koster/) > [You're your first best audience, long before anybody else hears you. So don't be an easy audience. Keep asking for more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-caine/you-re-your-first-best-audience-long-before-anybody-else-hears-you-so/) [Michael Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-caine/) > [My best audience and where I’m happiest is in the gay community. That’s where I feel the most accepted. It’s a community that appreciates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katerina-graham/my-best-audience-and-where-i-m-happiest-is-in-the-gay-community-that/) [Katerina Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katerina-graham/) > [I wanted to be the best that I could be, first for myself, then for an audience. I love to see a smile on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-mac/i-wanted-to-be-the-best-that-i-could-be-first-for-myself-then-for-an/) [Bernie Mac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-mac/) ## More by Johnny Cash > [I read novels but I also read the Bible. And study it, you know? And the more I learn, the more excited I get.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/i-read-novels-but-i-also-read-the-bible-and-study-it-you-know-and-the/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [You're so heavenly minded, you're no earthly good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/you-re-so-heavenly-minded-you-re-no-earthly-good/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [Of emotions, of love, of breakup, of love and hate and death and dying, mama, apple pie, and the whole thing. It covers a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/of-emotions-of-love-of-breakup-of-love-and-hate-and-death-and-dying/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [Until things are brighter.. I'm the man in black.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/until-things-are-brighter-i-m-the-man-in-black/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [I'm thankful for a pair of shoes that feel really good on my feet; I like my shoes. I'm thankful for the birds; I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/i-m-thankful-for-a-pair-of-shoes-that-feel-really-good-on-my-feet-i/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [I knew I wanted to sing when I was a very small boy. When I was probably 4 years old. My mother played a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/i-knew-i-wanted-to-sing-when-i-was-a-very-small-boy-when-i-was/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [No matter how much you've sinned, no matter how much you've stumbled, no matter how much you fall, no matter how far you've got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/no-matter-how-much-you-ve-sinned-no-matter-how-much-you-ve-stumbled/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [ I met Sam Phillips when he came in \[studio\] and I said, I'm John Cash. I'm the one who's been calling. And if you'd… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/i-met-sam-phillips-when-he-came-in-studio-and-i-said-i-m-john-cash-i/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [My mother told me to keep on singing, and that kept me working through the cotton fields. She said God has his hand on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/my-mother-told-me-to-keep-on-singing-and-that-kept-me-working-through/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [I started to write the song. And I was in Gladewater, Texas, one night with Carl Perkins and I said, I've got a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/i-started-to-write-the-song-and-i-was-in-gladewater-texas-one-night/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [Don't take voice lessons. Do it your way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/don-t-take-voice-lessons-do-it-your-way/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [I expect my life to end pretty soon. You know, I'm 71 years old. I have great faith, though. I have unshakable faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/i-expect-my-life-to-end-pretty-soon-you-know-i-m-71-years-old-i-have/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [I say I'm not a singer, so that means I can't sing. But - doesn't it?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/i-say-i-m-not-a-singer-so-that-means-i-can-t-sing-but-doesn-t-it/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [However, neither he nor anyone else could have become the star Elvis was. Ain't nobody like Elvis. Never was.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/however-neither-he-nor-anyone-else-could-have-become-the-star-elvis/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [Everybody was wearing rhinestones, all those sparkly clothes, and cowboy boots. I decided to wear a black shirt and pants and see if I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/everybody-was-wearing-rhinestones-all-those-sparkly-clothes-and/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) [Explore all 232 Johnny Cash quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) ## More Audience quotes > [If the audience likes your work, if they like you, they don't think whether you are married or have children or not. I made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimple-kapadia/if-the-audience-likes-your-work-if-they-like-you-they-don-t-think/) [Dimple Kapadia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimple-kapadia/) > [It's those moments, those odd moments that you look for and sometimes by creating this kind of loose atmosphere you find those little moments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-levinson/it-s-those-moments-those-odd-moments-that-you-look-for-and-sometimes/) [Barry Levinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-levinson/) > [I can skate beautifully. While performing on ice I always try to please the audience and to win as well. Being artistic is very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evgeni-plushenko/i-can-skate-beautifully-while-performing-on-ice-i-always-try-to/) [Evgeni Plushenko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evgeni-plushenko/) > [One of the best moments of any Liars show is hearing the crowd squawk 'We're doomed! We're doomed!' on cue during 'We Fenced Other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-sheffield/one-of-the-best-moments-of-any-liars-show-is-hearing-the-crowd-squawk/) [Rob Sheffield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-sheffield/) > [It's the adrenaline rush you only get from being in front of an audience. It's addictive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raphael-saadiq/it-s-the-adrenaline-rush-you-only-get-from-being-in-front-of-an/) [Raphael Saadiq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raphael-saadiq/) > [If I had to speak in front of a Korean audience, I would be hard pressed to sound other than a little girl.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/an-na/if-i-had-to-speak-in-front-of-a-korean-audience-i-would-be-hard/) [An Na](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/an-na/) > [The liveness of theater, and the excitement of experiencing it alongside an audience, is something you can't get at home. That makes the theater…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-blaemire/the-liveness-of-theater-and-the-excitement-of-experiencing-it/) [Nick Blaemire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-blaemire/) > [One of the things that touches me most when I play for an audience is that although we may be unable to communicate in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hough/one-of-the-things-that-touches-me-most-when-i-play-for-an-audience-is/) [Stephen Hough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hough/) > [I have to feel the audience. I enjoy that feeling of community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-gahan/i-have-to-feel-the-audience-i-enjoy-that-feeling-of-community/) [Dave Gahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-gahan/) > [When you lived it for years and years and years and seen different characters just get pummeled and squashed because 'I said so,' it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arn-anderson/when-you-lived-it-for-years-and-years-and-years-and-seen-different/) [Arn Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arn-anderson/) > [“During the first few minutes of your presentation, your job is to assure the audience members that you are not going to waste their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-ludwig-and-greg-owen-boger/during-the-first-few-minutes-of-your-presentation-your-job-is-to/) [Dale Ludwig and Greg Owen-Boger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-ludwig-and-greg-owen-boger/) > [Donald Trump is a different ball of wax. I've been trying to say for I don't know how many months now that the traditional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/donald-trump-is-a-different-ball-of-wax-i-ve-been-trying-to-say-for-i/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [I don't think about who the audience is for my books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/i-don-t-think-about-who-the-audience-is-for-my-books/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [I feel I have been playing all primary characters. And if your character forms a connect with the audience, it doesn't matter if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angad-bedi/i-feel-i-have-been-playing-all-primary-characters-and-if-your/) [Angad Bedi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angad-bedi/) > [When I was playing piano, it was like, 'I'm going to write a song using all the white keys.' My music director, who knew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tesh/when-i-was-playing-piano-it-was-like-i-m-going-to-write-a-song-using/) [John Tesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tesh/) [Browse all 9,118 Audience quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/audience/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Convicts are the best audience I ever played for.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Johnny Cash" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/convicts-are-the-best-audience-i-ever-played-for/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Audience" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/convicts-are-the-best-audience-i-ever-played-for/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/102/johnny-cash-1517_audience_convicts-are-the-best-audience-i-ever-pl_2290245.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/102/johnny-cash-1517_audience_convicts-are-the-best-audience-i-ever-pl_2290245.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/102/johnny-cash-1517_audience_convicts-are-the-best-audience-i-ever-pl_2290245.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Convicts are the best audience I ever played for.” — Johnny Cash", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Johnny Cash", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Convicts are the best audience I...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/convicts-are-the-best-audience-i-ever-played-for/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/convicts-are-the-best-audience-i-ever-played-for/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```