Changes

In 1949 while doing the morning show at KXLA radio in Pasadena, Ernie signed to a recording contract with Capitol Records in [[Hollywood]] and immediately landed on the country music Hit Parade with three hits before topping the chart with “Mule Train.”  

In 1949 while doing the morning show at KXLA radio in Pasadena, Ernie signed to a recording contract with Capitol Records in [[Hollywood]] and immediately landed on the country music Hit Parade with three hits before topping the chart with “Mule Train.”  

The following year “The Shot Gun Boogie” also peaked at #1 on the country charts followed by “Mr. and Mississippi in 1951. “Ballad of Davy Crockett” topped the pop survey in 1955, the year that “Sixteen Tons” also did for an uninterrupted 22 weeks. It would become Tennessee Ernie Ford’s signature song.  

The following year “The Shot Gun Boogie” also peaked at #1 on the country charts followed by “Mr. and Mississippi in 1951. “Ballad of Davy Crockett” topped the pop survey in 1955, the year that “Sixteen Tons” also did for an uninterrupted 22 weeks. It would become Tennessee Ernie Ford’s signature song.[http://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc19757/m1/]

During his fifty years in radio, television and as a singer, Ford sold more than sixty million albums. The majority featured Tennessee Ernie as a gospel singer, with his “Hymns” recording on the charts for a record breaking 277 consecutive weeks. “Great Gospel Songs” earned him a [[Grammy]] award in 1964.  

During his fifty years in radio, television and as a singer, Ford sold more than sixty million albums. The majority featured Tennessee Ernie as a gospel singer, with his “Hymns” recording on the charts for a record breaking 277 consecutive weeks. “Great Gospel Songs” earned him a [[Grammy]] award in 1964.