Ernest Jennings Ford ( February 13 , 1919 â `` October 17 , 1991 ) was an American country music and gospel singer and actor . Ernest Jennings Ford ( February 13 , 1919 â `` October 17 , 1991 ) , better known as Tennessee Ernie Ford , was an American recording artist and television host who enjoyed success in the country and Western , pop , and gospel musical genres .