Tennessee Ernie Ford

Biography

Tennessee Ernie Ford, born in Bristol, Tennessee, was a singer and television host whose work spanned country, western, pop, and gospel music. He started in radio as an announcer in 1937 and later studied classical music at the Cincinnati Conservatory. After military service he created the radio persona Tennessee Ernie, signed with Capitol Records in 1949, and recorded hits such as The Shotgun Boogie and Sixteen Tons. That 1955 coal-miner's lament spent ten weeks atop the country chart and seven on the pop chart, selling more than two million copies. From 1956 to 1961 he hosted NBC's The Ford Show, and his gospel album Great Gospel Songs earned a Grammy in 1964. He narrated the 1968 television special The Mouse on the Mayflower. Among his honors were three Hollywood Walk of Fame stars, the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1984, and induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1990. He died in 1991.

72years old at death

Born February 13, 1919Bristol
Died October 17, 1991Reston
Star sign: AquariusThe sign runs January 20 to February 18
Ernest Jennings Ford (birth name)Also credited as Ernie Ford

Movie Career

Films: 3
Career span: 17 years1951 to 1968

Every film, newest first

1968The Mouse on the MayflowerIMDb rating 6.8
1957The Lonely ManIMDb rating 6.4
1951Man in the SaddleIMDb rating 6.3

Genres

Did you know?!

About the name
At KFXM in San Bernardino, California, Ford was hired as a radio announcer and given a country music disc jockey show that aired early in the morning. He created the wild, exaggerated hillbilly personality of "Tennessee Ernie" to set himself apart.
A first
With Ford snapping his fingers and a clarinet-driven arrangement by his music director Jack Fascinato, "Sixteen Tons" topped the country chart for ten weeks and the pop chart for seven. It moved more than two million copies and earned a gold disc.