Home and birthplace to Bristol native Tennessee Ernie Ford. Open by Appointment through the Bristol Historical Society.

Throughout Ernie Ford’s legendary career spanning over 50 years, Ford’s early successes as a radio personality led to his signing with Capitol Records in 1949. Through 1976, he released a total of eighty-three albums on the label–and literally scores of single records, including his classic version of Merle Travis’ timeless anthem to the working man, “Sixteen Tons”…at the time of its release, the fastest selling single in Capitol’s history.

To date, it is estimated that Ford has sold more than 90 million records worldwide–an astonishing number, even by today’s standards. Even more astonishing…more than 40 million of that number represents the body of work he became best known for…gospel, hymns and spirituals. His first album of inspirational music, entitled simply, “Hymns” -released in 1956- remained on Billboard magazine’s Top Pop Albums chart an unbelievable 277 consecutive weeks.

In November of 1963 -seven years after its release- Hymns was recognized by the label’s Alan Livingston, as the largest-selling LP ever recorded by a Capitol artist.