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00:00A Brief History of Tennessee Ernie Ford
00:02Tennessee Ernie Ford, born Ernest Jennings Ford on February 13, 1919, in Bristol, Tennessee, grew up steeped in the musical traditions of the American South.
00:17From a young age, Ford showed a natural talent for singing, which he carried with him while studying voice at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music.
00:25After serving as a bombardier during World War II, he transitioned into a career in radio, where his rich baritone voice quickly won him a loyal audience.
00:35In the late 1940s, Ford moved to California and became a popular radio personality in Pasadena.
00:42It was there that he adopted the name Tennessee Ernie to emphasize his southern roots.
00:46His big break came when he blended country music with boogie-woogie and gospel styles, a combination that appealed to a broad range of listeners at a time when American musical tastes were rapidly expanding.
00:58In the early 1950s, Ford signed with Capitol Records and scored several hits on the country charts, but it was his 1955 recording of 16 tons that catapulted him to national fame.
01:10The song, a dark, rhythmic lament about the struggles of coal miners, resonated deeply with post-war America and sold millions of copies.
01:19It not only topped the country charts but also crossed over to dominate the pop charts, a rare feat at the time.
01:2616 tons became Ford's signature song and earned him a place as one of the most recognizable voices in American music.
01:32Building on that success, Ford became a familiar face on television, hosting the Ford Show from 1956 to 1961, where his easygoing, folksy demeanor won him fans beyond the music world.
01:46His variety show featured music, comedy, and guest appearances, helping solidify his image as a wholesome, beloved entertainer.
01:54Throughout his career, Tennessee Ernie Ford remained deeply connected to gospel music, a genre he revered and helped bring to mainstream audiences.
02:03His gospel albums, particularly him's 1956, sold millions and further broadened his appeal.
02:11Ford's commitment to his faith was evident both in his musical choices and his personal life, especially later on as he shifted increasingly toward inspirational and religious recordings.
02:21His achievements were recognized with multiple awards, including three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one each for radio, records, and television, an induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
02:33Despite personal struggles, including battles with alcoholism, Ford's influence endured.
02:39He died on October 17, 1991, leaving behind a rich legacy as a pioneering figure who bridged country, pop, and gospel music with sincerity and unmatched vocal power.
02:51He died on October 17, 2019.
02:56He died on October 17, 1992, in a very great regard.
02:57For the last I will, he referred to as a superwoman's career in the US, a very interesting operation.
03:01He died on October 17, 2020.
03:03He died on October 18, juxtaposition of His, last month, for the last I was fully kidnapped.
03:05He died on October 17, 2012.
03:06He died on October 18, 2012.
03:09He died on October 17, 2015.
03:11He died on October 17, 2017.
03:13The time was established by his father's death.
03:15He died on October 17, 2013.
03:17The time was established by his family, actor and man was blessed with a strong woman.