Date of Birth: February 13, 1919
Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
Date of Death: October 17, 1991
Biography
Tennessee Ernie Ford, born Ernest Jennings Ford, was a beloved American singer and television host, best known for his rich baritone voice and down-home charm. Ford was born on February 13, 1919, in Bristol, Tennessee. He initially pursued a career in radio before making his mark in the music industry. Ford’s breakthrough came with his signature hit “Sixteen Tons,” released in 1955, which sold over two million copies and became a defining song of the post-World War II era. Ford was not only a successful recording artist but also a popular television personality. He hosted “The Ford Show” on NBC from 1956 to 1961, which brought him into the living rooms of millions of Americans. Throughout his career, Ford released numerous albums spanning genres from country to gospel, earning him multiple awards, including three Grammy Awards and an induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Ford passed away on October 17, 1991, but his legacy endures through his music and the indelible mark he left on American popular culture.
5 Interesting Facts about Tennessee Ernie Ford
1. Tennessee Ernie Ford served as a bombardier in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.
2. His hit song “Sixteen Tons” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998.
3. Ford also had a successful career in gospel music, winning a Grammy for Best Inspirational Performance in 1964.
4. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to the recording industry.
5. Ford’s television show, “The Ford Show,” was one of the first to be broadcast in color.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Tennessee Ernie Ford
1. “You load sixteen tons, what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt.”
2. “Bless your pea-pickin’ heart!”
3. “I just fell into it, really. My career evolved out of what I enjoyed doing.”
4. “I think gospel music is part of what I am. I think it’s as important as my country music.”
5. “A man is as old as what he remembers.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Tennessee Ernie Ford’s net worth was estimated to be around $5 million.
Children
Tennessee Ernie Ford had two children: Jeffrey Buckner Ford and Brion Leonard Ford.
Relevant Links
1. [Tennessee Ernie Ford on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennessee_Ernie_Ford
4. [Grammy Hall of Fame](https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/tennessee-ernie-ford
5. [Hollywood Walk of Fame star](http://www.walkoffame.com/tennessee-ernie-ford
