Most often remembered today for his gospel recordings and for his portrayal of hayseeds on Lucille Ball television programs, Tennessee Ernie Ford first became famous singing country boogie. Like his later gospel recordings, these early sides are classics, including the #1 hit "Sixteen Tons." Ford was a gifted singer with a particular flair for comic material, and he was a huge commercial success in the 1950s and 1960s. He continued performing into his 70s dying a few days after a visit to the White House in 1991.