Ernest Jennings Ford
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Tennessee Ernie Ford’s recording Sixteen Tons hit number one on the Billboard charts in 1955 and is often credited as the first rock and roll hit, launching the rock era. He hosted The Ford Show from 1955 to 1961, a variety program sponsored by Ford Motor Company. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1990 and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. His album Hymns spent 350 consecutive weeks on the Billboard album charts, and he earned three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Names, aliases, and relatives of Tennessee Ernie Ford — birth name, kin, and personal ties.
Tennessee Ernie Ford by the numbers — life, work, and family.
Tennessee Ernie Ford — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.
Growing up in Appalachian Tennessee, Ernest Jennings Ford absorbed gospel and country music in church and local gatherings, a passion that defined his life. He attended Bristol Tennessee High School and later studied music at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Born on February 13, 1919, in Bristol, Tennessee, to Maud Long and Clarence Thomas Ford, these early experiences sparked his lifelong dedication to hymn singing.
Ford’s breakout came in 1955 with the release of Sixteen Tons, a song that topped the Billboard charts and is often credited as the first rock and roll hit, launching the rock era of the 1950s. He appeared on television shows like I Love Lucy in 1951 and The Red Skelton Show in the early 1950s. From 1955 to 1961, he hosted The Ford Show, a variety program sponsored by the Ford Motor Company. He also sang the title song for the 1954 film River of No Return starring Robert Mitchum and Marilyn Monroe. Ford’s album Hymns, released in 1956, spent 350 consecutive weeks on the Billboard album charts, achieving Gold status.
Ford married Betty Heminger on September 18, 1942, and they had a son, Jeffrey Buckner Ford. After Betty’s death in 1989, he married Beverly Wood on June 11, 1989. Ford privately battled a drinking problem his entire life, which ultimately undermined his health. He owned a cattle ranch in California and used his influence to help young performers like Jim Lange and the Everly Brothers get their start in show business.
Ford’s hit Sixteen Tons is often credited as the first rock and roll hit. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1990 and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. In 1984, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He has three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for radio, recording, and television. His hymn albums, particularly Hymns and Sing a Hymn with Me, both achieved Gold status, and his book Tennessee Ernie Ford’s Book of Favorite Hymns became a bestseller in 1962. He is remembered for his rich bass-baritone voice and his ability to blend country, gospel, and popular music.
Every award, honor, and recognition received by Tennessee Ernie Ford — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.
A wall of memorable lines from Tennessee Ernie Ford — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.
Bless Your Little Pea-pickin’ Hearts.
Little-known facts about Tennessee Ernie Ford — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.
While it never affected his professional work, Ford battled all his life with a drinking problem, something that ultimately undermined his health. In October 1991, he collapsed after leaving a White House dinner and died at an area hospital a few days later, exactly one year to the day after being elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
He used his influence to give many young performers their first break in show business, including San Francisco-area disk jockey turned TV personality Jim Lange, later of The Dating Game, and most notably, the singing duo the Everly Brothers.
In 1974, he made the first tour of the Soviet Union with a country-western stage show, including Roy Clark.
His biggest hit Sixteen Tons was credited as being the first rock and roll big hit and for kicking off the rock and roll era of the 1950s.
He was awarded three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: for Radio at 1600 Vine Street, for Recording at 6922 Hollywood Boulevard, and for Television at 6311 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
His popular TV program The Ford Show was not named after him, but after his sponsor, the Ford Motor Company.
He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1990.
His remains are buried at Alta Mesa Memorial Park in Palo Alto, California.
His book Tennessee Ernie Ford’s Book of Favorite Hymns was a best-seller when it was published in 1962, and a companion record album on Capitol Records was released later that same year.
He also sang the title song in the movie River of No Return 1954 starring Robert Mitchum and Marilyn Monroe. It was released as a single and did well on the record charts.
The album Hymns 1956 was on the USA Billboard Album charts for 350 consecutive weeks.
He was the father of Jeffrey Buckner Ford.
His many albums of hymns and sacred music for Capitol and Ranwood records were among the top-sellers in their field, with Hymns 1957 and Sing a Hymn with Me 1961 both achieving Gold Record status.
His real name was Ernest J. Ford, but since Ernest Ford was unsuitable for a stage name, he adopted the name of his home state – Tennessee.
Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Tennessee Ernie Ford.
Celebrities similar to Tennessee Ernie Ford — same craft, ranked by reach.
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