Bristol’s very own Birthplace Of Country Music Mueum will be launching an interesting campaign this February, as they celebrate a Legend none other than Tennessee Ernie Ford. As many of you know The Tennessee Pea Picker Mr. Ernest Jennings Ford was born on February 13th in Bristol Tennessee. This excerpt from the official website:

February 13, 2019 marks the 100th anniversary of Tennessee Ernie Ford’s birthday, and his hometown has come together to celebrate that milestone with a variety of events and activities, including a musical performance, a conversation with Ford’s son Buck, a special church service, show screenings, a commemorative stamp, and birthday cake!

Born in Bristol, Ernest Jennings Ford was known by many names throughout his life: “Ernest” by his mother, “Ernie” by his relatives, friends, and neighbors, and “The Ol’ Pea-Picker” as a public stage name during the 1950s, based on his catchphrase “Bless your little pea-pickin’ hearts.” But he was most well known as “Tennessee Ernie Ford” – a tribute to his Tennessee home and heritage.

Ford’s career spanned radio, recording, and television, resulting in three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and numerous other awards and honors, including a Grammy and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. His song “Sixteen Tons” – a particular favorite of fans and music historians – was an unexpected hit on the pop charts in 1955 and a defining moment in his career. With Ford snapping his fingers and a unique clarinet-driven pop arrangement by Ford’s music director, Jack Fascinato, “Sixteen Tons” spent ten weeks at number one on the country charts and seven weeks at number one on the pop charts. In an interview in 1990, Ford noted that this record had sold over twenty million copies, and in 1998 his version of the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and in 2015 it was honored by being included in the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry.

Celebrating 100 Years of
Tennessee Ernie Ford

February 10-14, 2019 in Bristol, TN/VA

February 13, 2019 marks the 100th anniversary of Tennessee Ernie Ford’s birthday, and his hometown has come together to celebrate that milestone with a variety of events and activities, including a musical performance, a conversation with Ford’s son Buck, a special church service, show screenings, a commemorative stamp, and birthday cake!
Click to Learn More

SPECIAL EVENTS

Special Display of Tennessee Ernie Ford Memorabilia and Artifacts

February (all month)
Birthplace of Country Music Museum

Special Church Service

February 10
Anderson Street United Methodist Church

Tennessee Ernie Ford Birthplace Tours

February 10
Tennessee Ernie Ford Birthplace

A Conversation with Buck Ford and Sid Oakley

February 12
Performance Theater, Birthplace of Country Music Museum

Tennessee Ernie Ford Commemorative Stamp

February 13
Post Office

A Birthday Celebration!

February 13
Paramount Bristol

Farm and Fun Time

February 14
Performance Theater, Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Click to Learn More

The Birthplace of Country Music seeks to perpetuate, promote, and celebrate Bristol, TN-VA’s rich music heritage; to educate and engage audiences worldwide regarding the history, impact and legacy of the 1927 Bristol Sessions recordings; and to create recognition, opportunities, and economic benefit for our local and regional communities.

BCM accomplishes this mission through its three primary branches,
the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival, and Radio Bristol, special projects and events, and a multitude of community and educational outreach programs.

For more information about the Birthplace of Country Music, visit BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org.

 

RSS
Follow by Email
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram