Tennessee Ernie Ford (1919–91,) born Ernest Jennings Ford, was an American singer, television host, and radio personality known for his deep bass-baritone voice and crossover success in country, gospel, and pop music. His rendition of Sixteen Tons (1955) became an iconic American song.
Born in Bristol, Tennessee, Ford started as a radio announcer in the late 1930s before serving as a bombardier in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. After the war, he transitioned to music and broadcasting, adopting the persona “Tennessee Ernie” on country radio.
Ford signed with Capitol Records in 1949, releasing hits like Mule Train (1949) and The Shotgun Boogie (1950.) His biggest success came with Sixteen Tons (1955,) selling over two million copies in its first month.
He hosted The Ford Show (1956–61,) a prime-time variety program, and recorded over 100 albums, including Hymns (1956,) which stayed on the Billboard charts for 277 weeks. His gospel albums, Great Gospel Songs (1957) and Sing a Hymn with Me (1959,) cemented his legacy in Christian music. Ford was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame (1990.)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Tennessee Ernie Ford
You can’t cheat the public for long.
—Tennessee Ernie Ford
Topics: Cheating
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