Tennessee Ernie fell into singing according to his son, Jeffrey Buckner Ford in his book about his parents, River of No Return: Tennessee Ernie Ford and the Woman He Loved.

The biography reveals frail and fallable humans, as we all are. Both spouses battled alcoholism. Sad, and there for the grace of God go I, is all I have to say.

I choose to appreciate Tennessee Ernie’s singing talent and am grateful for ears to hear and a heart wanting to praise whenever I hear his gospel songs.