TENNESSEE ERNIE FORD - INSCRIBED SIGNATURE CO-SIGNED BY: JIM "TEXAS" LEWIS, BILLY STARR, CORKY CARPENTER - HFSID 224489

TENNESSEE ERNIE FORD, BILLY STARR, CORKY CARPENTER, "TEXAS" JIM LEWIS AND PETE HAYWORTH. Inscribed signatures: "Howdy-/To Geo. & a fine show -/'Tennessee'/Ernie", "Corky Carpenter/Sure enjoyed my -/visit with you." and "Sincerely & Best to George/Billy Starr" on front and "To George/I hope our trails/end at the same water hole/Sincerely/Texas Jim Lewis." and "Pete Hayworth/The Blind Miracel (sic) wizard of whips" on verso, 1p, 7¾x10. Captioned magazine photograph of Ford, b/w, 2¼x3½, affixed at lower right corner; printed biography with photograph, b/w, 1x1, affixed to lower left margin beneath Ford's signature. Magazine photograph, b/w, 2½x3½, of Lewis affixed at right margin of verso. The booming baritone voice of TENNESSEE ERNIE FORD (1919-1991) was best known for his 1955 recording of "Sixteen Tons", which topped both the country and the pop music charts. Over his long career, Ford sang everything from rock 'n roll to gospel, recorded over 100 albums and earned numerous honors and awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He won the 1961 Grammy Award for Best Sacred/Inspirational/Religious album (Great Gospel Songs). Ford is still seen on TV in reruns of I Love Lucy in his role of Cousin Ernie in three memorable 1954-1955 episodes. BILLY STARR recorded "Hound Dog" and "Borrowed Heart" for the Imperial label in 1953. CORKY CARPENTER, who recorded with the Rhythm Rangers, released songs including "A Fool Such as I" and "Your Cheatin' Heart". "TEXAS" JIM LEWIS (1909-1990) is credited with popularizing the "Western Swing" style of country-western music. He had his first big hit with "Too Late to Worry, Too Blue to Cry" in the 1940s and continued to record and play club dates into the 1970s. Lewis also had his own radio shows and appeared in several feature films (with his Lonestar Cowboys) and on television. Lightly creased. Binding holes from removal from bound book and 2 glue stains at blank right margin. Show through of writing and affixed photographs and articles (all writing legible). Rectangular shading at blank area on verso. Overall, fine condition.