Ernest Jennings Ford (February 13, 1919 â October 17, 1991), was born in Bristol, Tennessee, known professionally as Tennessee Ernie Ford, was an American singer and television host who enjoyed success in the country and western, pop, and gospel musical genres. Noted for his rich bass-baritone voice and down-home humor, he is remembered for his hit recordings of “The Shotgun Boogie” and “Sixteen Tons”.
As a first lieutenant, he served in the United States Army Air Corps in World War II as the bombardier on a B-29 Superfortress, but the war ended before he was to be sent to Japan. He was also a bombing instructor at George Air Force Base, in Victorville, California.
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