TENNESSEE ERNIE FORD BORN IN BRISTOL
Bristol, Tennessee (JFK+50) Singer/entertainer Tennessee Ernie Ford* was born here in Bristol on February 13, 1919. Ford began his career at WOPI-AM (Bristol) in 1937 and after studying classical singing at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music signed with Capitol Records (1949).
Bristol, Tennessee (JFK+50) Singer/entertainer Tennessee Ernie Ford* was born here in Bristol on February 13, 1919. Ford began his career at WOPI-AM (Bristol) in 1937 and after studying classical singing at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music signed with Capitol Records (1949).
Ernie Ford created his own radio/television personality based on the image of a Tennessee "hillbilly" and dubbed himself as "Tennessee Ernie." He also made reference to his character as "the ol' pea picker."
Ernie Ford's signature song "Sixteen Tons"* recorded in 1956, sold 20 million copies. Mr. Ford won a Grammy for his popular gospel album in 1964. In 1984, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Honor and inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1990.
*Ernest Jennings Ford (1919-1991) served as a bombardier in the US Army Air Corps during WWII. He took part in bombing missions over Japan. After rising to stardom, EJF had his own television program on NBC in 1964. He died in Reston, Virginia.
**"Sixteen Tons" is a coal miner's lament 1st recorded in 1946 by Merle Travis who is credited with its authorship along with George S. Davis.
"You load 16 tons & what do you get?
Another day older & deeper in debt.
Saint Peter don't you call me cause I
can't go
I owe my soul to the company store."
SOURCES
"Tennessee Ernie Ford," Times-News, www.timesnews.net
"Tennessee Ernie Ford 100th Birthday Celebration," www.ernieford100.com/
Tennessee Ernie & Betty Ford
ABC TV Photo (1962)
