death_date death_place religion birth_place name background birth_date instrument genre image article_title birth_name occupation
17 october 1991 reston , virginia , united states methodist bristol , tennessee , united states tennessee ernie ford solo_singer 13 february 1919 vocals , guitar , violin country & western , pop , gospel tennessee ernie ford 1957.jpg tennessee ernie ford
 ernest jennings ford singer , actor
tennessee ernie ford

ernest jennings ford -lrb- february 13 , 1919 -- october 17 , 1991 -rrb- , known professionally as tennessee ernie ford , was an american recording artist 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 , today , he is best remembered for his hit recordings of `` the shotgun boogie '' and `` sixteen tons '' .
