What was the name of Johnny Cash's backup band?

Johnny Cash's backup band was The Tennessee Three. The group supplied the spare, forceful accompaniment behind Cash's voice for nearly 25 years and helped define the sound of his early recordings and live performances.

The core lineup developed from guitarist Luther Perkins and bassist Marshall Grant, who began playing with Cash in Memphis. Drummer A. W. "Red" Kernodle was soon replaced by W. S. Holland, whose steady rhythm became an important part of the band's signature style. Their music was often described as "boom-chicka-boom" because of its driving, uncluttered pulse.

The band was not always called The Tennessee Three. During the Sun Records period, it was commonly billed as Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two, reflecting the original Perkins-and-Grant lineup. After Holland joined, the name changed to The Tennessee Three.

The Jordanaires were associated especially with Elvis Presley, while The Wrecking Crew was a Los Angeles studio-musician collective. The Swampers were Muscle Shoals musicians, so none of those alternatives identifies Cash's regular backing band.