TENNESSEE ERNIE FORD’s Amazing Grace Release Tops Sales Charts

NASHVILLE, Tenn.– American legend Tennessee Ernie Ford’s Amazing Grace CD and DVD recordings (Gaither Music Group) made waves on this week’s Nielsen Soundscan chart.  The DVD recording, Amazing Grace, 21 Treasured Hymns, claimed the #1 position on this week’s BillboardMusic Video chart; and the audio recording, Amazing Grace, 14 Treasured Hymns, landed at #19 on the country chart, where it was the week’s highest debut marking Ford’s best-ever rank in Top Country Albums.   

Amazing Grace, 14 Treasured Hymns topped the Southern Gospel Albums chart and came in at #9 on the Christian Albums chart, marking Ford’s first Top 10 rank on a Billboardchart in 40 years.  At that time, he garnered 17 Top 10 songs on Billboard country song surveys–a run that included three #1 hits:  1949′s “Mule Train,” 1950′s “The Shot Gun Boogie” and 1955′s “Sixteen Tons.”  

“Producing this collection was nothing short of a labor of love for us,” described Jeffrey Buckner Ford, eldest son of the late Tennessee Ernie Ford.  “Partnering with the legendary Bill Gaither was a blessing we can’t begin to describe. We are, quite simply, blown away.  To all the fans, young and old, all over the world — we thank you, and bless your little pea pickin’ hearts!”  

The Amazing Grace recordings feature Ford’s unmistakable, booming voice performing some of the most loved and noted hymns of our time including “How Great Thou Art,” “The Old Rugged Cross,” “Sweet Hour of Prayer,” “Rock of Ages,” “Blessed Assurance,” “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”and many more.  

Known not only for his voice but for his contagious personality as an artist, radio personality, actor and TV host, the late Country Music Hall of Famer has been a beloved household name since the 1950s.  His talent as a singer has garnered sales of over 90 million albums sold worldwide.  Gospel music was one of Ford’s greatest career passions as seen on his prime-time variety tv program, evidenced by his chart-topping recording successes and captured on this timeless collection.  

The new CD and DVD are part of a tv special airing on Dish TV, DirecTV, AT&T Uverse, GaitherTV, TBN, RFD, FamilyNet, CTN, UPtv, GMTN, Guardian, Liberty, TCT andTLN.  It will air in Canada on Vision TV, CTS, The Miracle Channel and Hope TV.

Amazing Grace is distributed by Capitol Christian Distribution and is available at retail outlets worldwide as well as through Amazon and www.gaither.com.  For more information regarding Tennessee Ernie Ford, visit www.ernieford.com