The moment that's chilling is, he's singing 'Folsom Prison Blues' and he gets to the line, 'I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die,' said Hilburn. Whoa-the audience screams!. Johnny Cash never served prison time, although he did spend several nights in jail and cultivated his reputation as an outlaw.In his new biography, Hilburn wrote of the artistry and pain in Johnny Cash's life connected by a string of failed relationships.hoa-the audience screams!. Johnny Cash never served prison time, although he did spend several nights in jail and cultivated his reputation as an outlaw. In his new biography, Hilburn wrote of the artistry and pain in Johnny Cash's life connected by a string of failed relationships.