Who originally sang the song 16 tons?

“Sixteen Tons,” the song popularized by Tennessee Ernie Ford, was originally written by Merle Travis. In 1947 Capitol Records encouraged Travis to write a series of songs that “sounded folky” for an album, one that would tap into the American folk music revival that was just starting to take off.

Where is Tennessee Ernie Ford?

Tennessee Ernie Ford, 72, the country and western singer who was best known for his recordings of gospel hymns and the coal mining ballad “Sixteen Tons,” died of liver ailments Oct. 17 at Reston Hospital. He was taken ill at Dulles International Airport Sept.

Who wrote the song 16 tons and what do you get?

Merle TravisSixteen Tons / LyricistMerle Robert Travis was an American country and western singer, songwriter, and guitarist born in Rosewood, Kentucky, United States. His songs’ lyrics often discussed both the lives and the economic exploitation of American coal miners. Wikipedia

What year did 16 tons come out?

Sixteen Tons

“Sixteen Tons”
Song by Merle Travis
B-side	“Dark as a Dungeon”
Released	June 1947
Recorded	August 8, 1946

Is 16 tons a communist song?

“This song was written by a known Communist, a man who has professed seditious concepts against the United States of America, and if Ernie Ford sings this song it will be the last song of his career.”

Why is it called 16 Tons?

According to Archie Green, author of Only A Miner: Studies in Recorded Coal-Mining Songs, the title refers to an old practice of initiating new miners by having them haul 16 tons, compared to the typical 8 to 10, on their first day. Ford’s version was used on the TV shows The Simpsons, Mad Men, and Chuck.

Was Ernie Ford an alcoholic?

Well, unknown to many of his millions of fans, Ernie battled alcoholism for many years of his adult life. After suffering liver failure, Ernie Ford passed away at the age of 72 on October 17, 1991. It was exactly 36 years to the day that ‘Sixteen Tons’ was released.

Is Brion Ford still alive?

October 24, 2008Brion Leonard Ford / Date of death

What type of song is 16 tons?

American country and western singer, songwriter and guitarist Merle Travis is fond of writing songs about the lives and exploitation of American coal miners. This is very evident in one of his compositions entitled “Sixteen Tons.” Basically, the tune discusses the life of a coal miner in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky.

Who is Tennessee Ernie Ford’s wife?

Beverly Wood Fordm. 1989–1991
Betty Hemingerm. 1942–1989
Tennessee Ernie Ford/Wife

How did Tennessee Ernie Ford get his name?

It was there that he first took on the name “Tennessee Ernie,” which became the focus of his comedic on-air persona, a kind of good-hearted bumpkin who was smarter than he let on and funnier (and more eccentric) than he seemingly knew.

When was Tennessee Ernie Ford born?

February 13, 1919Tennessee Ernie Ford / Date of birth

Tennessee Ernie Ford, radio announcer, singer, and television personality, was born Ernest Jennings Ford on February 13, 1919, in Fordtown, Sullivan County, and raised in nearby Bristol.

How old is Tennessee Ernie Ford?

72 years (1919–1991)Tennessee Ernie Ford / Age at death

Is Sixteen Tons a communist song?

The agency identified Travis as a “communist sympathiser” because of his pro-worker song and put pressure on radio stations not to playlist Sixteen Tons. But in early 1955, the popular singer Tennessee Ernie Ford, whose grandfather and uncle worked on the mines, performed the song on television.

Is Tennessee Ernie Ford alive?

October 17, 1991Tennessee Ernie Ford / Date of death

What was Tennessee Ernie Ford’s real name?

Ernest Jennings FordTennessee Ernie Ford / Full name

Who sang King of the Road?

Roger MillerKing Of The Road / Artist

What did Roger Miller died from?

Lung cancerRoger Miller / Cause of death
Roger Miller died of cancer on October 25, 1992, in Los Angeles, California. His third wife, Mary Miller, survived him. In 1995 the Country Music Hall of Fame posthumously inducted Miller.

Are Roger Miller and Jody Miller related?

Also in 1965, Jody Miller released an answer record to Roger Miller’s (no relation) blockbuster hit “King of the Road”, titled “Queen of the House” (which became her signature hit, peaking at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and at number 5 on the country singles chart).

What was Roger Miller’s net worth when he died?

Roger Miller passed away on October 25, 1992 at 56 years old….Roger Miller Net Worth.

Net Worth:	$1 Million
Date of Birth:	Jan 2, 1936 – Oct 25, 1992 (56 years old)
Gender:	Male
Profession:	Singer-songwriter, Composer, Lyricist, Actor, Musician
Nationality:	United States of America