Tennessee Ernie Ford (February 13, 1919 – October 17, 1991) was an American country and gospel singer, radio and television host, and comedian who enjoyed success in the mid-1950s with his hit single, “Sixteen Tons”. His career spanned five decades, and he became a well-known personality in the Southern United States. He is remembered for his distinctive style, a combination of folk, country and gospel music. Ford was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1990 and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2004.
| Name | Tennessee Ernie Ford |
| Date of Birth | February 13, 1919 |
| Genre | Country Music, Gospel Music |
| Instruments | Vocals, Piano |
| Labels | Capitol Records, MCA Records |
| Notable Songs | Sixteen Tons, The Ballad Of Davy Crockett |
10 Best Tennessee Ernie Ford Quotes
“I think that everybody ought to have a hobby or two.”
– Tennessee Ernie Ford, from YouTube
“I just liked to sing, and I liked to play the guitar.”
– Tennessee Ernie Ford, from YouTube
“I just sang what I felt.”
– Tennessee Ernie Ford, from YouTube
“I’m proud of my accomplishments, but I’m humble about it.”
– Tennessee Ernie Ford, from YouTube
“I’m glad that I could bring a few moments of pleasure to a few people.”
– Tennessee Ernie Ford, from YouTube
“I think it’s a great thing to be able to sing and have people enjoy it.”
– Tennessee Ernie Ford, from YouTube
“You can’t do anything if you don’t try.”
– Tennessee Ernie Ford, from Discogs
“I love music, and I love doing it.”
– Tennessee Ernie Ford, from Billboard Magazine
“I’ve never been a very ambitious person.”
– Tennessee Ernie Ford, from Billboard Magazine
“I’m living in the present and I’m looking to the future.”
– Tennessee Ernie Ford, from Internet Archive
“I’m grateful for the things that I have accomplished.”
– Tennessee Ernie Ford, from Internet Archive
6 Inspirational Tennessee Ernie Ford Quotes
“My philosophy is that the Golden Rule is still the best rule.”
– Tennessee Ernie Ford, from Goodreads
“I’m not a great singer, but I am a good singer.”
– Tennessee Ernie Ford, from American Profile
“I don’t think it’s a bad thing to be popular.”
– Tennessee Ernie Ford, from The Kansas City Star
“The most important thing about my music is that it’s for the people.”
– Tennessee Ernie Ford, from Music Guide
“I love to entertain people, it’s something I’ve done all my life.”
– Tennessee Ernie Ford, from Tennessee Ernie Ford Online
“You don’t have to be a genius to make a record. You just have to be willing to work.”
– Tennessee Ernie Ford, from The Huffington Post
8 Famous Tennessee Ernie Ford Quotes
“I’m a singer and I like to sing.”
– Tennessee Ernie Ford, from NPR
“I think that a lot of people, after they have heard me sing ‘Sixteen Tons’ have said, ‘Well, he’s just a one-song singer.’ Well, that’s far from the truth.”
– Tennessee Ernie Ford, from NPR
“I just don’t believe in taking myself too seriously. I’m an entertainer and I want to be entertaining.”
– Tennessee Ernie Ford, from NPR
“I’m a country boy, and I’m proud of it.”
– Tennessee Ernie Ford, from The Guardian
“I was the first to do a lot of things, and some of them were mistakes.”
– Tennessee Ernie Ford, from The Guardian
“It’s kind of amazing how many people remember ‘Sixteen Tons’ and still want to hear it.”
– Tennessee Ernie Ford, from The New York Times
“I’m not a so-called singer with a great big voice. I’m an entertainer.”
– Tennessee Ernie Ford, from The New York Times
“I’m a pretty good singer, and I have a good sense of humor.”
– Tennessee Ernie Ford, from Ernie Ford Official Website
6 Tennessee Ernie Ford Quotes About Love
“Love, I think, is really the basis of everything, of all true understanding and appreciation of life, and I think it’s the basic emotion that should be shared.”
– Tennessee Ernie Ford, from ClassicBands.com
“I always feel that love and understanding is the only way that a country or a world can survive.”
– Tennessee Ernie Ford, from ClassicBands.com
“Love is the force that binds us together. We don’t want to be bound together by hate. We want to be bound together by love.”
– Tennessee Ernie Ford, from YouTube
“Love is the universal language. We can’t all understand each other, but we can all love each other.”
– Tennessee Ernie Ford, from YouTube
“Love is the only solution to the problem of hate. It doesn’t matter what color you are, what country you’re from, or what religion you believe in, love will always be the answer.”
– Tennessee Ernie Ford, from YouTube
“Love is the only thing that can solve all the problems in the world.”
– Tennessee Ernie Ford, from YouTube
7 Tennessee Ernie Ford Quotes About Life
“The world would be a better place if people would just enjoy life.”
– Tennessee Ernie Ford, from IMDb
“Life is a great adventure, and I’m grateful for the opportunities that I’ve had.”
– Tennessee Ernie Ford, from MeTV
“I think life is too important to take it too seriously.”
– Tennessee Ernie Ford, from MeTV
“I’m having a wonderful time living life and seeing how it works.”
– Tennessee Ernie Ford, from MeTV
“I’m thankful for everything that life has given me.”
– Tennessee Ernie Ford, from MeTV
“I’m thankful for all of the little things in life.”
– Tennessee Ernie Ford, from MeTV
“I believe life is a great adventure to be enjoyed.”
– Tennessee Ernie Ford, from MeTV
5 Quotes About Tennessee Ernie Ford
“His voice is one of the most recognizable in all of entertainment.”
– Hank Williams Jr., from CMT
“He was a great singer, and he was a great actor, and he was a great human being.”
– Merle Haggard, from CMT
“He had a beautiful baritone voice and a great sense of humor.”
– Loretta Lynn, from CMT
“He was one of the few people that could make me laugh.”
– Dolly Parton, from Biography.com
“He was a great man and a great entertainer.”
– Willie Nelson, from Biography.com
Interview with Tennessee Ernie Ford
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee Ernie Ford
1. What was Tennessee Ernie Ford’s most famous quote?
Tennessee Ernie Ford, an American singer and television host, was well known for his quotes that entertained and inspired many. Some of his most notable quotes include:
- “You gotta be taught to hate and fear, you gotta be taught from year to year.”
- “I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day.”
- “The only thing that’s worse than a liar is a liar that’s also a hypocrite.”
- “If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.”
However, his most famous quote is “Life is like a mountain railroad with an engineer that’s brave. We must make the run successful from the cradle to the grave.” This quote speaks of the journey of life and how one must be brave and determined to make it successful. It is a sentiment that resonates with many and is often quoted in various contexts.
2. What was the title of Tennessee Ernie Ford’s most popular song?
Tennessee Ernie Ford is best known for his 1955 hit, “Sixteen Tons” – a song that topped both the rhythm and blues and country music charts. The song was written by Merle Travis and was based on a folk song about a miner who had to dig coal to make a living.
- Sixteen Tons (1955)
- The Shot Gun Boogie (1956)
- Mule Train (1949)
- You Don’t Have to Be a Baby to Cry (1956)
- Blackberry Boogie (1956)
3. What was the name of Tennessee Ernie Ford’s television program?
Tennessee Ernie Ford was an iconic singer, songwriter, and television host who hosted his own television show, ‘The Ford Show’, from 1956-1961. The show was a variety show, featuring comedy skits and musical performances. Some of the most memorable performances included Tennessee Ernie Ford singing his hit songs like ‘Sixteen Tons’ and ‘The Shotgun Boogie’.
The show was a hit, and featured several guest stars throughout its run. Guest stars included celebrities such as Johnny Cash, Bing Crosby, and Mahalia Jackson. It was one of the first television shows to feature African American performers, and was known for its comedic and musical variety.
The show aired for five seasons, making it one of the longest-running variety shows in television history. After it ended in 1961, Tennessee Ernie Ford continued to pursue a career in music, releasing several more albums and performing in various venues.
4. How did Tennessee Ernie Ford become popular?
Tennessee Ernie Ford rose to fame in the 1950s after he released his first single, “Mule Train”. His powerful baritone voice and catchy lyrics made him an instant hit with audiences. He went on to release a series of very successful singles, including “Ain’t That Right”, “Sixteen Tons”, and “The Shot Gun Boogie”.
In addition to his music, Tennessee Ernie Ford was well-known for his television show, The Ford Show, which ran from 1956-1961. The show was a variety show that featured music, comedy sketches, and interviews. It was popular with viewers of all ages and helped to further cement Ford’s status as a popular entertainer.
Ford also appeared in several films over the course of his career. He starred in the 1954 film The Sun Shines Bright and had a cameo in the 1960 film The Alamo, among others.
In addition to his music and acting credits, Tennessee Ernie Ford was also a well-known philanthropist. He was a generous supporter of numerous causes, including the Salvation Army and the NAACP.
Overall, Tennessee Ernie Ford rose to fame due to his powerful baritone voice, memorable singles, and television show, The Ford Show. His acting and philanthropic endeavors also added to his popularity.
5. What did Tennessee Ernie Ford do to influence the American music scene?
Tennessee Ernie Ford was one of the most prolific and influential figures in American music in the mid-20th century. He was a singer, songwriter, and television host whose career spanned more than four decades. Ford was a pioneer in music, introducing folk and country music to a wider audience. He was also a strong advocate of racial integration and civil rights.
- Ford released over 50 albums and singles and earned five Grammy awards during his career.
- He became a country music star with the release of his 1955 hit single, “Sixteen Tons.”
- He was the first country artist to appear on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1956.
- He hosted the popular country music television program, The Ford Show, from 1956 to 1961.
- He was an early proponent of racial integration in the music industry and was one of the first singers to appear on an integrated TV show.
- In 1961, he became the first country artist to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Ford’s influence on American music is still felt today. His records continue to be popular and his name is often cited as an example of the power of music to bridge both racial and social divides.
Conclusion
Tennessee Ernie Ford was a beloved singer, songwriter, and actor whose legacy continues to live on. His music was filled with honesty and emotion, and his voice was unforgettable. With his unique ability to combine country, gospel, and pop music, he created a unique sound that made him one of the most beloved artists of all time. His music has been an inspiration to many, and his quotes have been a source of wisdom and comfort for generations. Tennessee Ernie Ford was a true artist who will forever be remembered.
