Birthplace of Country Music Museum unveils "Tennessee Ernie Ford: A Life on Stage"

Bristol, Va. – Last week, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum unveiled the special exhibit "Tennessee Ernie Ford: A Life on Stage," which will continue until Feb. 14, 2016.A pioneer in radio and television broadcasting and a star of the recording industry, Tennessee Ernie Ford made his mark on American show business through the blockbuster recording "Sixteen Tons," his television show "The Ford Show" — named for its sponsor, not its star — and his television specials.At ease on stage and in front of the camera, Ford paired masterful musicianship with his engaging on-stage personality.Despite his fame, "The Ol' Pea Picker" kept his hometown of Bristol, Tenn. close to his heart and in his persona. His performances on radio, television and in studio recordings captured the down-home character and integrity he valued.A look into the life and legacy of Ford, the special exhibit features photographs, artifacts, and audio and video materials. It explores not only Ford's accomplishments and legacy, but also his family life, which was often lived in front of the camera.Displays invite visitors to consider Ford's enormous impact on music and television, his amazing ability to capture audiences young and old, and his long and varied career in entertainment, which spanned an astonishing 40 years.There will be special programming throughout the duration of the exhibit, including screenings of Ford's television shows and a concert.Screenings of one Ford Show episode will run regularly throughout the duration of the exhibit, beginning Sunday.Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, a single 30-minute episode will be screened in the Performance Theater at noon; and every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, a single 30-minute episode will be looped in the Performance Theater between 2 and 4 p.m. (unless the theater is in use for a WBCM radio event).The episodes shown will change approximately every two weeks.Free evening screenings of The Ford Show and other Ford specials will also be held at 6:30 p.m. on the following dates.Tues., Nov. 3: Tennessee Ernie Ford: His Life and TimesTues., Nov. 17: The Ford Show Double-BillTues., Dec. 15: A Ford Family ChristmasTues., Jan. 12: The Ford Show Double-BillTues., Jan. 26: TBAAfter exploring Ford's life and career through the museum's special exhibit, vistors can learn more about him by stopping by The Ford House, restored and maintained by the Bristol Historical Association, or his home church, Anderson Street United Methodist Church.The Ford House will be open to the public each Wednesday throughout the exhibit; inquire at the BCM museum front desk or call 423-573-1927 for each Wednesday's hours of operation.In addition to the Wednesday openings, you may also arrange a private visit to the Ford House by appointment by calling 276-466-9116.The Anderson Street United Methodist Church has a history room dedicated to the history of the church and to Ford's involvement with the congregation.The church and the history room are open to visitors daily with the exception of Wednesdays, but anyone interested in visiting should call the church office at 423-764-4535 before arriving.As a grand finale to the Tennessee Ernie Ford exhibit, BCM will be co-sponsoring a concert with The Paramount Chamber Players on Feb. 13, 2016 at the Paramount Center for the Arts.The concert, on what would have been Ford's 97th birthday, will feature songs from Ford's vast repertoire performed by The Paramount Chamber Players, special guests The Jeff Little Trio, a choral ensemble and vocal soloists, and accompanying narration.The two-hour concert will include something for everyone: gospel tunes, country boogie tunes, patriotic and folk songs, a new rendition of "Sixteen Tons," and the premiere of a hymn arrangement by Ann Holler, which was commissioned especially for the concert. Admission will be $20; tickets will be on sale soon at the Paramount Center for the Arts.Leading up to this concert, BCM is sponsoring a "Sixteen Tons" cover song contest - and encouraging new and inventive cover versions of Tennessee Ernie Ford's classic tune.Submissions can be a faithful rendering or you can drastically reimagine the tune: what would it be like as a flamenco tune? A free jazz chart? A bubblegum pop song? An entry form will be available soon on the Birthplace of Country Music website.The submitted renditions will be judged by a panel of Birthplace of Country Music Museum staff and members of the Paramount Chamber Players, as well as representatives from Tennessee Ernie Ford Enterprises and the family of Merle Travis, who wrote "Sixteen Tons."The cover versions will be judged on the quality of the performance as well as their musical creativity and originality. The first-place winner will have the chance to perform their version of "Sixteen Tons" at the exhibit's closing concert on Feb. 13, 2016 at the Paramount Center for the Arts.First, second, and third place winners will receive a copy of "River of No Return: Tennessee Ernie Ford and the Woman He Loved" by Jeffrey Buckner Ford and a Birthplace of Country Music Museum mug. First and second place winners will also receive either five free passes to the Birthplace of Country Music Museum or a one-year individual museum membership.Admission to the exhibit is included in your regular museum admission fee; admission to the Tennessee Ernie Ford exhibit on its own is $7.