Yeah. Read about the “company store” back in the old days. They kept the coal miners broke and owing the company, so they were too much in debt to ever consider leaving the mine. I’m not generally a fan of unions, but employers like the coal companies back in the day are what led to unions. Great song. Original Americana, from Tennessee Ernie.

I’m 70 years old and I remember in the 1960’s watching Tennessee Ernie Fird’s TV show. He had a great voice.

@justicewokeisutterbs8641

18 күн бұрын

Yep. As a kid I watched that show too. He had a great voice.

@patticrichton1135

15 күн бұрын

Me TOO, I am 77 and loved watching his TV show in the '50s. As a kid I wished he was my uncle ! LOL "16 TONS" was my FAVORITE song of his, I just loved his TV show.

Company Stores and Housing were often owned by the Coal Mines. Workers were given small pay, and they turned around and gave it back to the Coal Company for food and housing. They also let you have credit that would put you in debt, and you would be almost a slave to the company. The company owned you cause you couldn't quit. Coal miners had a hard life.

@rachelbrachman1510

19 күн бұрын

My Irish ancestors, as part of the Pennsylvania Molly Maguires began the fight for workers rights in 1864 because of the working (and living) conditions that miners and mine laborers endured.

@miconis123

16 күн бұрын

The only effective difference between them and actual slaves was they could quit and leave. It would mean they were instantly homeless and broke, but they could do it. A very sad time in our history.

My father-in-law worked in a coal mine in Western PA in his youth, before leaving for, and after coming home from, WW II. I grew up on a ranch in South-Central Texas, knowing nothing about coal mining. He and I were discussing his history in the coal mine, and he told me it was hard on his knees, and I wondered why. Then he told me that there was a large main tunnel, but where they actually dug coal, with a shovel, was in smaller tunnels. These tunnels were only high enough so a coal car could be pulled and pushed in and out on tracks, with a little room to spare over the top to pitch the coal into it with your shovel. Bottom line, you worked on your knees. I could not imagine spending 10 or 12 hours a day in that cramped space. Heckuva life, plus being in debt to the mining company, through the company store. Thanks for reacting to a great song. God bless you.

Grew up watching Ernie Ford's tv show in prehistoric times ,lol. He always said bless your pea picking hearts. He was so funny and a great singer. Thanks for the memories. Blessings.

@MissAstorDancer

19 күн бұрын

Same here! He was so charming and loveable! I also remember him playing "Cousin Ernie" on the "I Love Lucy" show!!!! Amazing memories, and amazing voice!!!

@shirleybhs9zd6li5i

19 күн бұрын

@@MissAstorDancer That's right! I remember that. He was a great entertainer.

Ernie Ford was a very big union supporter. His tv show ran late 50s - early 60s He used to say, 'bless your pea-pickin' heart' Clarinet? Woody Herman.

@MissAstorDancer

19 күн бұрын

And Artie Shaw, and Benny Goodman!!!! Also, can't leave out Acker Bilk!

I love this song. It reminds me of my ancestors...three generations before my father worked in the Pennsylvania coal mines. Thanks for reacting!

For a follow-up, try Ernie's "River of No Return", the theme from the movie of the same name (starring Robert Mitchum, Marilyn Monroe & Rory Calhoun). Ernie's deep voice comes directly from heaven!

Ford's version of "Shenandoah" is pretty amazing

This song was a protest song. It outlined a miner's life. When the miners went on strike for better conditions, there were actual wars with mine owner militias. In 1920 in West Virginia there was the Matewan massacre where miners fought with the mine owners' private army and air force. in Kentucky there were the Harlan County wars during the 1930s.

He was also a very good comedian.

TEF had a great bass voice.

Mr. Ford lived in Palo Alto and shopped at a small family-owned grocery store called "J J & F's" where my younger brother was the produce manager. The license plate on his car said "PPICKER" because "Pea Picker" was his nickname. My fondest memories of his were whenever he appeared as "Cousin Ernie" on the very popular I LOVE LUCY television show.

Merle Travis aslo wrote a song called 'Dark as a Dungeon ', along the same lines. Love TEF, reminds me of my dad

I grew up listening to this!

This song was huge for Tennessee, had a unique, powerful voice.

One of the biggest hits of the 50s

When the company owned everything in town.

Loved his stint on the original 'I Love Lucy' sitcom from the 50s as cousin Ernie from Bent Fork. It starred Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. One of the funniest sitcoms ever.

Nice that you are bringing these artists from the past to a younger generation. Ernie covered many genres of music such as country & western, pop & gospel. He had a rich bass-baritone voice & down home humor. "Sixteen Tons" & "The Shotgun Boogie" are his two most famous songs. But he had a lot of great songs such as "Mule Train", "The Ballad Of Davy Crockett", "Give Me Your Word", "Hey, Good Lookin’" etc.

Loved this man's comedic side especially really turning up that hilarious voice. Now..with "16 Tons"..geez..what a song and Ford's unbeatable vocals..great reaction and song Shawn 👍👍🇨🇦

Songwriter Merle Travis is perhaps best known for his unique and extremely influential guitar-picking style -- known as Travis picking. He influenced Chet Atkins, Scotty Moore (Elvis's early guitarist) and Paul Simon ("The Boxer" for example), and countless others. Travis was a massive talent.

His voice was unmistakable!❤

A very talented man. Watch his live version of this song. He's got a presence.

@MissAstorDancer

19 күн бұрын

💯!!!!

No one can sing 'Sixteen Tons' like Tennessee Ernie! It was so nice to see you really getting into the music. You should really see one of his live performances.

I remember hearing this as a kid & thinking I wish I had his voice, it was so even-toned & sounds so dang good. I’m a classic rock guy but have his gospel album…guy is fantastic. That baritone/bass is like butterscotch.😎

This song was in 1955, our parents & grandparent enjoyed his singing. I was only 6 years old. ♥️

My husband & I were just recently singing parts of this song! 🙂 Another great reaction, enjoyed all you said. 😀

100% agree with your message about the working poor

Blackberry Boogie and the Shot Gun Boogie are other Tennessee Ernie faves.

This song is on my young granddaughters playlist! Papaw sang it to her as a baby and it put her to sleep every time! Love your take on the song! 😊

Supertramp has songs that use the clarinet, sometimes rocking out on the clarinet. Certainly they have sax as well.

Bo Diddley, Leon Russel ( as Hank Wilson ) & Eric Burdon have done great covers.

One of my Dad's favorite songs in the 50's. I like it because Tennessee Ernie Ford looks like my Dad

Young people seldom realize the work ethic of miners...this is hard physical , sometimes deadly work. But for many, it was the only work available. My father joined the Army at age 17 in 1939 or '40 to keep from having to go to work in the mines. Both his father and brother died at an early age of black lung disease. My father served 34years in the Army and died at age 90. Miss him every day.

@flash1660

19 күн бұрын

Great song you should try big bad, John

If you've ever watched Lucille Ball's I Love Lucy, you might be interested to see his character of "Cousin Ernie" on that show. They were some of the funniest episodes, I think there were two were he was in New York and then when they were on a road trip they visited him in Tennessee.

Almost 70 years later and that chorus still hits true. Blue collar blue

When the holidays come around watch his tv show with his kids and the staff children, it’s hysterical

You can get other perspectives on those times not so long ago ~ from singers like Woody Guthrie & Pete Seeger who walked the walk & stood with oppressed workers against the big companies ~where they would provide line shacks~ as well as a company store ~ so that before their employees even earned any money they would owe most of it back to the company ~

16 Tons, Whaddaya get? A great big hernia you'll never forget. Ernie was a great storytelling comedian. I always liked the one where he was at a family reunion and grandpa disappeared after sneaking swigs of moonshine... they eventually found him in the hog barn, passed out and snuggling the prize sow, mumbling, "...after all these many years, grandma, I never knew you had two rows of buttons going down your nightgown..."

Check out Tennessee Ernie Ford singing ‘Shotgun Boogie’ I’m 42 and I remember hearing Tennessee Ernie Ford on the wireless which led me on a rabbit hunt to. Find his hymns and gospel music.

If you want to hear a good clarinetist check out swing jazz bandleader Benny Goodman who had quite a few hits in the 1940s and '50s.

My Mom loved him. Thanks for Mom!

Hell, yeah!

TEF grew up and lived about 3 blocks from me...although he was much older. One of his album covers is on the steps of the church I attended in my early years and the one I got married in the 1st time.

Gotta love the original, but now you need to check out Geoff Castellucci's version...deep bass cover. Through some production technique there are 5 of him and he does all the vocals; lead and backing plus his very deep bass voice. For anybody who hasn't seen him check it out, you'll enjoy it. It is really worth a listen

@leannmiller7153

19 күн бұрын

@tomh1754. Yes! It’s a great cover and video. I’ve watched many times❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

The lyrics to this are so well written!

my dad had this album when i was a kid.

Great voice .. one of my parents favourite artists. Thanks for reviewing it :)

Wheww..OG! American classic! Nice Shawn! ☘️🇺🇲

This rendition of "Sixteen Tons" would be considered the definitive and those who recorded it after Tennessee Ernie Ford, would have been trying to emulate him.

Coal miners were charged for every aspect of their job. They usually worked in a remote camp and were overcharged by the coal company store for housing, food, their clothes and so on, causing them to actually owe the company more than their pay.

Another great TEF song, also written by Merle Travis, is 'Dark as a Dungeon', also about coal mining.

ZZ Top and Jeff Beck did their version of this song and it’s sick. Highly recommend everyone to have a listen

Great pick. A solid song from yester-year.

Glenn Miller played the clarinet, he has some popular old time big band songs.

Great song

Iconic😊

Great choice ! Another good one is "Big John".

What a coup on this choice bro! Forgot all about this gem. Way ahead of it's time. Also reminded me of King of the Road by Roger Miller. Definitely going on my playlist now.

109 people died by national guard in the coalmine union war

🔥🔥🔥

I am very happy you listen toand love these old songs that i grew up with. Might i suggest "big bad john" by jimmy dean....os sausage fame

Merle Travis' license plates read "16 tons"

I second one of the other commenters, please react to Geoff Castellucci’s ( from Voiceplay) deep base cover. The video is absolutely brilliant ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

The mines were often in the middle of no where

This has a lot of features of beatnik jazz.

Wow. This goes waaayy back …..what would we do without hard working men? ❤

the platters do a great cover

Miners didn’t even get enough to quit. They got paid in script to the company owned stores. Clothing food household items all came from the company. They were essentially slaves

Right on! A Living Wage indeed!!

For anyone who enjoys parodies, here is a link that puts the lyrics to Money for Nothing to this music in a doo-wop style: kzread.info/dash/bejne/l6WqyaxrcbK_cZM.htmlsi=8WMbx-uUAxf5I04B

16 tons of number 9 coal was what each worker was expected to produce every day.

Work Songs Let's see how many industries/professions I type here. Harry Belafonte "Day-O" "John Henry" (man vs machine) Smother's Brothers "Cabbage" (very funny recollection of the early days of public infrastructure projects like the railroads) Lee Dorsey "Working in a Coal Mine" C. W. McCall "Convoy" (truck driving) Dolly Parton "9 To 5" (business office) Weird Al Yankovic "Dog Eat Dog" (business office) "All About the Pentiums" (My profession represented here - IT) "King of Suede" (retail business) Donna Summer "She Works Hard For The Money" (any job) I am a human jukebox. Ask and I get it from memory with help of search for details.

Shotgun Boggie is a great one from Tennessee.

Jumping Jack Flash

Watch the video of this by beck and zz top

@MissAstorDancer

19 күн бұрын

ABSOLUTELY! Fantastic version!!!

back in the day miners were paid in script that was only used at the company store. so basically worthless if the company goes bankrupt.

Years ago the coal mine owned the property by the coal mine they built towns and stores they owed everything they paid wages and you had to keep paying for living there for anything you needed so yeah you were kind of owned by the coal mine because she just kept getting deeper in debt you were forced to pay the prices they wanted! Not to mention the poor working conditions in the black lung that you got working in the cold minds all the time

Just listen to the song. Quit trying to figure out what it’s about before you listen.

Yeah, Johnny Cash’s version isn’t a whole lot different but sung a bit differently and worth checking out. Jeff Beck & ZZ Top does a cover version that is quite different and absolutely worth checking out also.

Supertramp Take the Long Way Home has a great clarinet solo.

@MissAstorDancer

19 күн бұрын

One of the best! Clarinet was def NOT standard Rock fare!