Tennessee Ernie Ford
Ernest Jennings Ford (February 13, 1919 – October 17, 1991) was an American country music and gospel singer and actor.
Tennessee Ernie Ford | |
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 Tennessee Ernie Ford in 1957 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Ernest Jennings Ford |
| Born | February 13, 1919 Bristol, Tennessee, United States |
| Died | October 17, 1991 (aged 72) Reston, Virginia, United States |
| Genres | Country & Western, Pop, Gospel |
| Occupation(s) | singer actor |
| Instruments | Vocals, Guitar, violin |
| Years active | 1939–1991 |
| Website | Official website |
He served in World War II as a bombardier and flew missions over Japan.
He made 57 studio albums and had 83 singles during the course of his musical career. In 1955 he sang the song Sixteen Tons. He snapped his fingers on the recording. The song sold over a million copies.[1]
He won a Grammy Award in 1964 for best album.
He hosted a daytime talk/variety show from 1962 to 1965 known as The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show (later Hello, Peapickers).
He was elected into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1990 and was also elected into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1994.
He died of liver failure on October 17, 1991 in Reston, Virginia.
Tennessee Ernie Ford Media
Ford's appearance as "Cousin Ernie" in three episodes of I Love Lucy in 1954 and 1955 made him a household name.
Ernie and Betty Ford at home in 1962
Other websites
References
- ↑ Hear Tennessee Ernie Ford (music and interviews) on the Pop Chronicles (1969).