See all 4 photos

Tennessee Ernie Ford

94,331 plays
17,554 listeners
In your library (0 plays)

Ernest Jennings Ford (February 13, 1919 – October 17, 1991), better known by the stage name Tennessee Ernie Ford, was a pioneering U.S. recording artist and television host who enjoyed success in the country & western, pop, and gospel musical genres.

Born in Bristol, Tennessee, 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 program 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 TV star as the star of Stone’s popular Southern California “Hometown Jamboree” TV show. He released almost 50 country singles through the early 1950s, several of which made the charts.

Tagged as:

country, classic country, oldies, 50s, americana
See more…

1	Sixteen Tons full track	335
2	Blackberry Boogie	22
3	Mule Train full track	16
3	Shotgun Boogie	16
5	Give me your word	15
6	16 Tons	13
7	Smokey Mountain Boogie	10
7	Kissin' Bug Boogie	10
9	Anticipation Blues full track	8
9	The Shotgun boogie	8
9	Country Junction full track	8
12	The Old Rugged Cross	7
12	The Star Carol	7
14	I'll Never Be Free	5
14	The Ballad of Davy Crockett	5

Shoutbox

Leave a comment. Log in to Last.fm or sign up (it’s free).

yJURAy wrote:
October 2008

16 tons!

View Profile | Leave yJURAy a shout
PappaWheelie wrote:
February 2008

a-rocka-bye-aye-hy I'ma gonna be-ee a dah-haddy now-how-how-uh-ow-ow

View Profile | Leave PappaWheelie a shout
RamblingGambler wrote:
January 2008

wow, better stuff than expected. kind of lucky strike

View Profile | Leave RamblingGambler a shout
physicsd00d wrote:
November 2007

awwww. nobody seems to listen to the Milk 'Em In The Morning Blues. that's a shame.

View Profile | Leave physicsd00d a shout
Qebehsenuf wrote:
August 2007

woah the Sings Songs of the Civil War album is awesome! great voice to ^^

View Profile | Leave Qebehsenuf a shout
kaitsuj wrote:
July 2007

Great Boogie Man ,Shot gun boogie and Rock city boogie.

View Profile | Leave kaitsuj a shout
WordMagician wrote:
April 2007

woah.. this guy was real? I saw him on I Love Lucy (best tv show of all time).

View Profile | Leave WordMagician a shout
timrouen wrote:
October 2006

I got one fist of iron and the other of steel And if the right one don't get ya, the left one will.

View Profile | Leave timrouen a shout
Pigalle wrote:
October 2006

If you see me coming better step aside. Lot of men didn't, lot of men died.

View Profile | Leave Pigalle a shout

Listeners

RatsOnParade
Top Listener
st3p4n
Top Listener
Gladouronron
Top Listener
wstrzons-pustki
Top Listener
vova_dmitrenko
Top Listener
Pax_Imperio
Top Listener

Recent Activity

onebigkhan, diceman0925, jelbco and 11 other people added Tennessee Ernie Ford to their libraries. Monday morning
candystars created the wiki page for Sixteen Tons. last week
candystars created the wiki page for Sixteen Tons. last week
candystars created the wiki page for Sixteen Tons. last week
candystars created the wiki page for Sixteen Tons. last week
candystars created the wiki page for Sixteen Tons. last week
candystars created the wiki page for Sixteen Tons. last week
candystars created the wiki page for Sixteen Tons. last week
robarcmo58 tagged Tennessee Ernie Ford with ‘classic country’. last month
RichK2054, eltecnicojas, KNITELY and 13 other people added Tennessee Ernie Ford to their libraries. last month