Top 10 Tennessee Ernie Ford songs

Ernest Jennings Ford was born on Feb 13, 1919 in Bristol, Tennessee. He had a fairly typical childhood and sang in the local church choir. As he grew up he knew that his voice would be an important part of his future. So, after he enrolled at the Virginia Intermount College, a women's college but enrolled a few men, where he studied voice. After graduating his teacher and her husband help him get work as radio announcer. Over the next couple of year Mr. Ford had a nice career going in radio but that career was about to be temporary halted. Just like many young men when America was drawn into World War II Mr. Ford enlisted. Once he enlisted he was accepted into the Army Air Corp and was sent to bombardier school along with entertaining the troops. Later in the war he flew a few missions as a bombardier over Japan. After the war he was able to resume his career in radio and even became host of a country music show where he created the persona of “Tennessee Ernie” Ford.

In 1949 Mr. Ford signed his first contract with Capitol Records that catapulted him into a career as a singer, songwriter, and television personality that last or over 3 decades. During his amazing career Mr. Ford had dozens of albums in the country, gospel, and pop genres, hosted his own variety show, an appeared on some of the biggest shows of the 1960s. He was honored with three stars on Hollywood walk of fame in music, television, and radio. In 1984 Mr. Ford was award the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Toward the end of his life Mr. Ford was inducted into the country music hall of fame and then after his death he was inducted into the gospel music hall of fame.

10. “The Ballad of Davy Crockett”: In 1956 Mr. Ford did his own version of “The Ballad of Davy Crockett” that peaked at number 4 on the country charts. His rich baritone voice makes the song about one of Americas' frontier heros come to life.

9. “Milk Em' in the Morning Blues”: This is the song that started Mr. Ford on his way to stardom. His Tennessee Ernie personality really shines though in this song that gives a humorous version of life on a dairy farm.

8. “John Henry”: The sounds of a hammer clanking on steel an Mr. Fords deep baritone voice make this a fun song to listen to. It tells the story of a legendary figure repreenting the hard working people that built our railroads.

7. “Anticipation Blues”: A swinging lighthearted song about a man who is about to become a father for the first time. It peaked at number 3 on the country charts in 1949.

6. “Shotgun Boogie”: Put on your hunting gear and grab your shotgun as we head out hunting with Tennessee Ernie Ford as we listen to this fun song. It was a number 1 hit on the country charts for Mr. Ford in 1950.

5. “Mister and Mississippi”: Mr. Ford bring to life this snappy little tune about growing up and wandering up and down the Mississippi River. In 1951 it peaked at number 2 on the country charts.

4. “The Strange Little Girl”: Mr. Ford shows great range in this song about a mysterious girl that shows up to soothe hurt feeling. As you listen to the song you can almost feel yourself being paced in the song and being in the presence of the strange little girl.

3. “You're My Sugar”: It is time to jump up and do the jive to this fast-paced song by Mr. Ford and Kay Starr. The words of the song give a humorous look at a couple that love each other but don't always get along.

2. “What a Friend We have in Jesus”: No Tennessee Ernie Ford collection would be complete without some of the gospel music he recorded during his career. Mr. Fords' deep, booming voice reaches right out and grabs your soul as you listen to this stirring version of this gospel favorite.

1. “Sixteen Tons”: One of the biggest hits of Mr. Fords' career and the first song most people think of when they hear the name Tennessee Ernie Ford. The song speaks of the lament of the hard working coal miners. It was a number 1 hit on the country charts in 1955.