Monday, February 12, 2024

This is My Story - This is My Song by Tennessee Ernie Ford


 

Reviewed by Mrs. Winnie Coalson in 1963, and Kristin in 2024

I came across a book review of the above title written by a public librarian in the Bristol Herald Courier over sixty years ago. Mrs. Winnie Coalson wrote many reviews, and is one of a long line of librarians who have worked at the Bristol Public Libra

Mrs. Coalson discussed the informal nature of the book, and said “it is generously seasoned with ‘salty’ stories of the picturesque characters he knew in his early years.” I suspect that Mrs. Coalson’s idea of “salty” is rather innocent compared to our current standards. In the first chapter, Ford starts with a story of the preacher coming over for dinner and blessing the food for a little too long, much to the consternation of Ford’s mother.

Ford starts with his early life and continues through to his life in show business. He discusses the values he learned from his parents, and how he was taught to treat every person with respect.

I appreciate the flavor of Mrs. Coalson’s review, and gave a chuckle at the fast that she also said, “His book has no literary value, nor is it meant to have. It is, and is mean to be, a thirty chapter ‘cracker barrel’ kind of…informal familiar conversation.” I imagine that his rambles in writing must compare well to his conversational style in real life.

Complete with black and white drawings and several pages of black and white photographs, this short volume is a lovely snapshot of Tennessee Ernie Ford’s life. I am glad to have come across it, as well as this found book review from the Bristol Herald Courier on December 28, 1963.


Note:  We run this in honor of Tennessee Ernie Ford, who would have celebrated his 105th birthday on February 13!


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