You know, Country & Western!
This ain't your Dad's country music. It's your Granddad's! None of that new Nashville bullshit either. This is where you'll find what I consider the best in Country (Classic and Alt), Folk, and Americana.
Catching Elephant is a theme by Andy Taylor
Tennessee Ernie Ford, Hank Thompson & Wanda Jackson were the heavy hitters at Capitol, which was a West Coast label, and why you’re not seeing others like Johnny Cash, George Jones, Marty Robbins or Buck Owens. Though if you were a pop singer, Capitol was the place to be, but by this point Sinatra had already left to start his own label with Sam, Dean and others.
1963-(via File Photo) by File Photo on Flickr.
Just a reminder that in 1963, Jackie Gleason was every bit as popular as Sinatra or Nat King Cole. Truth.
Look, December 1963
Tennessee Ernie Ford rocks the mustache. I’m not doing as well as him, but look for an update later today.
Ella Mae Morse & Tennessee Ernie Ford - False Hearted Girl
A request for some Ernie Ford came through the pipeline. Found this little rockin’ number in the dusty hard drive archives.
Tennessee Ernie Ford - Smokey Mountain Boogie
Tennessee Ernie Ford & The Everly Brothers - Rattlesnake Daddy
Another classic Ernie Ford moment; three dudes playing the same guitar.
This might be the best thing I’ll see all day. Radio as theater of the mind is pretty much a lost art.
Tennessee Ernie, dicking around and singing ‘Nine Pound Hammer’ on the planet Johnny.
The last time any TV got me this excited I was probably still in short pants.
I don’t know how I could love this more.
(Mebbe if Minnie Pearl was there too.)
Gird your loins for some Tennessee Ernie spam.
Odetta & Tennessee Ernie Ford
Tennessee Ernie Ford - Mule Train
Hee-yah!
Tennessee Ernie Ford, Molly Bee and Merle Travis - Dim Lights, Thick Smoke and Loud, Loud Music
I don’t know who Molly Bee is, but what a set of pipes on that gal. I’m gonna see what I can dig up.
Tennessee Ernie Ford - Hey Mr. Cotton Picker
Certain people who lived long enough to make it into and/or stay in the spotlight long enough to grab our generation’s attention get a lot of indie cred (Cash, Willie, Loretta) - deservedly so. Guys like Tennessee, while not necessarily forgotten, were still cool as hell.
Tennessee Ernie Ford - Wayfaring Stranger
Tennessee Ernie Ford - Shotgun Boogie
Tennessee Ernie Ford & Merle Travis - Medley of Tunes
Merle picks. Ernie grins. Ya just never know what you’ll find on the internets.
Tennessee Ernie Ford
