Tennessee Ernie Ford
Ernest Jennings Ford (February 13, 1919 – October 17, 1991) known professio… Read Full Bio ↴Ernest Jennings Ford (February 13, 1919 – October 17, 1991) known professionally as Tennessee Ernie Ford, was an American country and gospel singer and radio and television host. Today, he is best remembered for his hit recording of "Sixteen Tons".

Born in Bristol, Tennessee, to Clarence Thomas Ford and Maud Long, Ford began his radio career as an announcer at station WOPI in Bristol, leaving in 1939 to study classical music and voice at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. 1st Lieut. Ford served in World War II as the bombardier on a B-29 Superfortress flying missions over Japan. After the war, Ford worked at radio stations in San Bernardino and Pasadena, Calif. In San Bernardino, hired as a radio announcer, Ernest J. Ford did the news and general announcing. He was assigned the job of hosting an early morning country music disc jockey programme titled "Bar Nothin' Ranch." To differentiate himself, he created the personality of "Tennessee Ernie," a wild, madcap exaggerated hillbilly. He became popular in the area and was soon hired away by Pasadena's KXLA radio.

At KXLA he continued doing the same show and also joined the cast of Cliffie Stone's popular live KXLA country show "Dinner Bell Roundup" as a vocalist while still doing the early morning broadcast. Stone, a part-time talent scout for Capitol Records, brought him to the attention of the label. In 1949, while still doing his morning show, he signed a contract with Capitol. He also became a local television star as the star of Stone's popular Southern California "Hometown Jamboree" television show. He released almost fifty country singles through the early 1950s, several of which made the charts. Many of his early records, including "The Shot Gun Boogie", "Blackberry Boogie", and so on were exciting, driving boogie-woogie records featuring exciting accompaniment by the Hometown Jamboree band which included Jimmy Bryant on lead guitar and pioneer pedal steel guitarist Speedy West. "I'll Never Be Free", a duet pairing Ford with Capitol Records pop singer Kay Starr, became a huge country and pop crossover hit in 1950.

Ford eventually ended his KXLA morning show and in the early 1950s, moved on from Hometown Jamboree. He took over from bandleader Kay Kyser as host of the television version of the NBC quiz show "College of Musical Knowledge" when it returned briefly in 1954 after a four-year break. He also portrayed the country bumpkin Cousin Ernie on I Love Lucy.

Ford scored an unexpected hit on the pop charts in 1955 with his rendition of Merle Travis' "Sixteen Tons", a sparsely arranged coal-miner's lament that Travis wrote in 1946, based on his own family's experience in the mines of Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. With a unique clarinet-driven pop arrangement by Ford's Musical Director, Jack Fascinato, "Sixteen Tons" spent ten weeks at number one on the country charts and eight weeks at number one on the pop charts, and made Ford a crossover star. It became Ford's signature song.

Ford subsequently helmed his own primetime variety programme, The Ford Show, which ran on NBC from 1956 to 1961. Ford's programme was notable for the inclusion of a religious song at the end of every show; Ford insisted on this despite objections from network officials who feared it might provoke controversy. It quickly became the most popular segment of the show. He earned the nickname "The Ol' Pea-Picker" becafter his catch-phrase, "Bless your pea-pickin' heart!"

In 1956 he released Hymns, his first gospel album, which remained on Billboard's "Top Album" charts for a remarkable 277 consecutive weeks; his album Great Gospel Songs won a Grammy Award in 1964. After the NBC show ended, Ford moved his family to Northern California and from 1962 to 1965, hosted a daytime talk show The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show from San Francisco, broadcast over the ABC TV network.

Over the years, Ford has been awarded three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, for radio, records, and television. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1984 and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1990.

Ford, who offstage contended with a serious alcohol problem that never affected his professional work, began suffering increasing liver problems in the 1980s that worsened in 1990, the year he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He fell ill in 1991 after leaving a state dinner at the White House hosted by President George Bush, and died in a Virginia hospital on 17th October, exactly thirty-six years after "Sixteen Tons" was released and one day shy of the first anniversary of his induction into the Hall of Fame.

Ford was posthumously recognized for his gospel music contributions by being added to the Gospel Music Association's Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1994.
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Tennessee Ernie Ford Lyrics


16 Tons Some people say a man is made outta mud a poor…
A Beautiful Life Each day I′ll do a golden deed, By helping those who…
A Mighty Fortress On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, The…
Adeste Fideles O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O…
Ain't Nobody Business But My Own You got a gal you love on Sunday Then you get…
Alleluia Sonando por todo el país, todos cantan al mando del…
Anticipation Blues She just got home from the doctor's I just got home…
Ballad of Davy Crockett Now, what do you think of that? Born on a mountain…
Big Bad John Big John Big John Every morning at the mine you could…
Blackberry Boogie Along about sun up every day, I grab my bucket…
Blessed Assurance Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glor…
Blest Be The Tie That Binds Blest be the tie that binds Our hearts in christian love The…
Bringing in the Sheaves Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness, Sowing in …



Catfish Boogie (Tennessee Ernie Ford) TENNESSEE ERNIE FORD (Capitol 2602, …
Chicken Road Once I got a splinter in the joint of my…
Country Junction There's a knocked out joint between Jackson and Nashville E…
Cry of the Wild Goose Tonight I heard the wild goose cry Wingin' north in the…
Dark as a Dungeon Oh come all you young fellers so young and so…
Davy Crockett Now, what do you think of that? Born on a mountain…
False Hearted Girl You love me in the sunshine You hate me in…
Farther Along Farther along we'll know more about it Farther along we'll u…
Fatback Louisiana U.S.A Fatback, Louisiana, USA They got a song about Cincinnati an…
First Born First born This infant with his mother's eyes Is our first b…
For the good times Don't look so sad, I know it's over. But life goes…
Give Me Your Word Give me your word Your love will never die Give…
Glad Rags Now honey You do the the dishes and I'll feed the…
Goin Oh, me and my baby are Goin' Steady, We ain't married…
Goober Peas Sitting by the road side on a summers day Chatting with…
Hambone Hambone! Hambone! Hambone, hambone Where you been? Round t…
Hey Say, hey, good lookin' Whatcha got cookin'? How's about cook…
Hey Mr. Cotton Picker Hey yonder comes a cotton picker walkin′ down the road Puffi…
His Hands His hands paint the flowers He puts leaves in the trees At…
I Each time I hold someone new My arms grow cold aching…
I Am a Pilgrim A little blood and vomit on the car seat And…
I Can Tell You the Time I remember the time (I remember the time) When in darkness…
I Can Whip the Scoundrel The yankees came to Baldwin, they came upon the rear They…
I Don't Hurt Anymore I don't hurt anymore all my teardrops are dried No more…
I Find No Fault in Him Then Pilate therefore took Jesus and scourged Him. And the s…
I Gave My Love a Cherry I gave my love a cherry that has no stone, I…
I Love to Tell the Story Musical duction 1. I love to tell the story of unseen…
I'l Never Be Free Each time I hold somebody new My arms go cold aching…
I'll Never Be Free Each time I hold somebody new My arms go cold aching…
I'm Hog-Tied Over You I'm hogtied over you I'm hogtied over you You're my baby and…
In the Garden I come to the garden alone, While the dew is still…
In the Middle of an Island In the middle of an island In the middle of the…
It We were more than lovers, We were more than sweethearts, It'…
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear It came upon the midnight clear That glorious song of old …
It's the Talk of the Town We were more than lovers, We were more than sweethearts, It'…
I´ll Never Be Free Each time I hold somebody new My arms go cold aching…
Jesus I once was lost in sin, but Jesus took me…
John Henry When John Henry was a little baby No bigger than the…
Just a Closer Walk With Thee I am weak but Thou art strong Jesus, keep me from…
Just a Little Talk With Jesus I once was lost in sin, but Jesus took me…
Just As I Am I am a pilgrim and a stranger Traveling through this wearis…
Justs A Little Talk With Jesus I once was lost in sin, but Jesus took me…
Let it Be When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary…
Little Boy King Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum Our newborn King…
Little Klinker Little Tommy Tinker Sat on a clinker And he began to cry, &…
Lorena The years creep slowly by, Lorena The snow is on the…
Marching Song (Of The First Arkansas Negro Regiment) Oh, we're the bully soldiers of the "First of Arkansas," We…
Maryland My Maryland The despot′s heel is on thy shore Maryland, my Maryland His …
Maryland, My Maryland The despot's heel is on the shore Maryland, my Maryland His …
Milk 'Em in the Mornin' Blues I got the milk 'em in the mornin', feed 'em Milk…
Mister And Mississippi I can't recall my mother I don't remember dad Mister and Mis…
Mule Train Mule train (Giddyup, pah, giddahh) (Heah) Mule train (Yee…
Mule Train (1996 Remaster) Mule train (giddyup, pah, giddahh) *whip* (heah)...*whip* Mu…
My Grandfather's Clock My grandfather's clock Was too large for the shelf So it sto…
Nearer, My God, To Thee 1.Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee! E'en though it…
Nine Pound Hammer This nine pound hammer Is a little too heavy For my size Bud…
No One Will Ever Know No one will ever know my heart is breaking Although a…
Nobody Any more it doesn't matter Who's right or wrong We've been i…
ocean of tears Why do I like you? Why do I like you, too? Why…
Oh! Happy Day Oh happy day (oh happy day) Oh happy day (oh happy…
Old Time Religion Give me that old-time religion Give me that old-time religio…
Opening Theme Hey ... come in this house Ernie's here Hey, hey everybody…
Peace in the Valley Oh well, I'm tired and so weary But I must go…
Philadelphia Lawyer Way out in Reno, Nevada Where (?) blooms and fades A great…
Precious Memories Oh well, I'm tired and so weary But I must go…
Put Your Hand in the Hand Put your hand in the hand of the man Who stilled…
Rainy Night in Georgia Hoverin' by my suitcase Tryin' to find a warm place to…
Riding a Raid Tis old Stonewall the rebel that leans on his sword And…
River of No Return There is a river called the river of no return Sometimes…
River Of No Return=duplicate. There is a river called the river of no return Sometimes…
Rock City Boogie On top of Lookout Mountain Up in Chattanooga Everybody's d…
Rock of Ages 1. Rock of Ages, cleft…
Rock of Ages (Remastered) let me hide myself in thee; let the water and the…
Shall We Gather at the River 1. Shall we gather at the river, Where bright angel feet ha…
She Called Me Baby She called me baby baby all night long used to…
Shot Gun Boogie There it stands in the corner with the barrel so…
Silent Night (Remastered) Silent night! Holy night! All is calm, all is bright Round y…
SIXTEEN TONS Some people say a man is made out of mud A…
Sixteen Tons (Digitally Remastered) Some people say a man is made outta mud a poor…
Sleepy Time Gal Wouldn't it be a change for you and me to…
Slow Poke You keep me waitin' till it's gettin' aggravatin', You're a …
Softly and Tenderly Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, Calling for you and f…
Stack-O-Lee Say, hey, good lookin' Whatcha got cookin'? How's about cook…
Stand By Me When the storms of life are raging Stand by me (stand…
Stonewall Jackson's Way Come, stack arms, men. Pile on the rails, Stir up the…
Sunday Barbecue There′ll be plates piled high with deep fried chicken And a…
Sweet Hour of Prayer Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer That calls me…
Tailor Made Boogie There's an old sayin' 'bout roll your own The…
Take My Hand Precious Lord Precious Lord, take my hand Lead me on, don't let…
Taylor Made Woman There's an old sayin' 'bout roll your own The…
Tennessee Border Her eyes were blue, her hair was auburn Her smile was…
That's All I can only give you love that lasts forever And the…
The Army Of The Free In the army of the Union, We are marching in the…
the ballad of davie crockett Now, what do you think of that? Born on a mountain…
The Ballard of Davy Crockett Born on a mountain in Tennessee Greenest state in the land…
The Bonnie Blue Flag We are a band of brothers and native to the…
The Church in the Wildwood There's a church in the valley by the wildwood No lovelier…
The Cry of the Wild Goose Tonight I heard the wild goose cry Wingin' north in the…
The First Noel The first Noel the angels did say Was to certain poor…
The Little Drummer Boy Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum Our newborn King…
The New York Volunteer 'Twas in the days of '76, when free men young…
The Old Rugged Cross On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross The…
The Rovin Gambler I am a rovin' gambler I've gambled all around Wherever I mee…
The Shoot Gun Boogie There it stands in the corner with the barrel so…
The Vacant Chair We shall meet, but we shall miss him There will be…
The Wassail Song Here we come a-wassailing Among the leaves so green Here we …
The Watermelon Song Down in Tennessee I used to sit upon the fence A-wonderin′…
There is Power in the Blood Would you be free from the burden of sin? There's power…
Tumbling Tumbleweeds See them tumbling down Pledging their love to the ground L…
Union Dixie Away down South in the land of traitors Rattlesnakes and all…
Watermelon Song Down in Tennessee I used to sit upon the fence A-wonderin′…
What a Friend We Have in Jesus What a friend we have in Jesus All our sins and…
When They Ring Those Golden Bells Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer That calls me…
Who Will Shoe Your Pretty Little Foot Who′s gonna shoe your pretty little feet Who's gonna glove y…
Words Give me your word Your love will never die Give…
you do How come you do me like you do do do? How…
You Don't Have to Be a Baby to Cry You don't have to be a baby to cry All you…
You're My Sugar You're my sugar, You're my sugar You're my sugar but you're…
yours Give me your word Your love will never die Give…


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