HH. John Anderson Honors June Carter Cash With Performance Of Hymn “Can The Circle Be Unbroken (By And By)”
At the October 19 Country Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony, John Anderson sang “Can The Circle Be Unbroken (By And By)” as a tribute to June Carter Cash, who was inducted as part of the Hall of Fame Class of 2025. At left, Emmylou Harris can be seen with Carlene Cash; and, at right, John Carter Cash is pictured. (Photo credit: Country Music Hall of Fame / Instagram)
The Late June Carter Cash Is Part Of The 2025 Class Of Country Music Hall Of Fame Inductees
“Will the circle be unbroken, by and by Lord, by and by. There’s a better home awaiting in the sky Lord, in the sky.”
June Carter Cash, member of the legendary Carter Family and wife to Johnny Cash, died in 2003 at the age of 73, but her life’s work is still inspiring artists today.
On October 19, June was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, alongside Tony Brown and Kenny Chesney.
Her induction comes 55 years after the Carter Family was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1970, and 45 years after her late husband, Johnny, was inducted in 1980.
“June Carter Cash was a vibrant presence in country music for over sixty years,” noted the Hall of Fame on its Facebook page. “The singer and comedienne began performing at age 10 in 1939, singing with her mother, Maybelle Carter of the Carter Family, and her two sisters on Mexican border radio. Mother Maybelle & the Carter Sisters later starred on the Grand Ole Opry and joined Johnny Cash’s roadshow.”
Among the many songs she wrote was Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire,” which went No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs, the Hall of Fame noted.
Over the course of her career, she earned five Grammys.
To celebrate her and her legacy, country singer John Anderson sang “Can The Circle Be Unbroken (By And By)” to close out the Medallion Ceremony.
John Anderson Sings “Can The Circle Be Unbroken”
In many ways, “Can The Circle Be Unbroken” was a fitting song for closing out the Medallion Ceremony at the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Performed by John Anderson, he said of the occasion on his social media, “We had a great night celebrating [Country Music Hall of Fame] class of ‘25 inductees. It was a honor to perform for everyone!”
Notably, fellow Hall of Fame performer Lyle Lovett commented on John’s post, saying, “You sounded amazing, John.”
As a tribute to June Carter Cash, whose children and grandchildren were present, this song was a way to honor her family’s contribution to music. While the song originated as a hymn, titled “Will The Circle Be Unbroken?,” the Carter Family first recorded it in 1927, and later released it as a single in 1935.
Looking to the theme of the evening, and the aspirational message of the hymn, it is also something that all in attendance can sing while thinking of what they may hope for in their lives — not just holiness, but to be great enough to join the circle in the Hall of Fame. To keep a legacy like that of June Carter Cash unbroken.
Watch some of John Anderson’s performance of “Can The Circle Be Unbroken,” here:
The song was also used as the backing track for a summary video the Country Hall of Fame put together for the 2025 Medallion Ceremony, which can be seen here:
Learn more about June Carter Cash and her legacy at the Country Music Hall of Fame website.
