Customer Reviews

River of No Return: Tennessee Ernie Ford and the Woman He Loved

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Ernest Jennings Ford was at heart a family man devoutly devoted to his wife and two sons. At the very peak of his Hollywood success, the man who will forever be known as "Tennessee Ernie" Ford, the radio character he created for himself, decided to walk away from all the glamour because of his concern for what the Hollywood lifestyle was doing to his family. The great irony of his life is that Ernie Ford would die in October 1991 under the care of a second wife who was determined to deny his two sons any part of his legacy, financial or otherwise, a woman who even tried to deny them access to their father's funeral.

In River of No Return, Jeffrey Buckner Ford, eldest of the Ford sons, mixes his fond memories of growing up next door to Bob Hope and of the several successful television series that his father hosted with sad recollections of how alcohol and pills ended up destroying both his parents. He speaks frankly of the addictions and dissatisfaction with her life that resulted in his mother's suicide after several earlier attempts had failed, and he speaks just as honestly of how his father failed to do the things that might have saved her life. Perhaps saddest of all is his disclosure of how Ernie Ford's decision to protect his sons by moving them from Hollywood was doomed to failure because of what the boys witnessed in their own home, wherever it might be located.

Betty Jean Heminger met Ernie Ford when he was stationed at Victorville Army Air Base in California, where she worked as a secretary; she was only nineteen years old when they married. Betty Jean, an avid reader and an accomplished artist, was at first content to be labeled simply an entertainer's wife but, as the years went by, she seemed to grow frustrated with her role, turning to alcohol and drugs to get through her day. Ernie and her sons sensed when she was losing control, but though they did their best to protect her from herself, they were not always successful. As the couple grew farther and farther apart, Ernie turned more often to alcohol to ease his own pain, a decision that would eventually lead to liver disease, severe memory loss, and ultimately his death.

But River of No Return is not just about the bad times. Jeffrey Buckner Ford celebrates the good times as well, and his pride in and love for both his parents are evident. He remembers the times when being around his parents was sheer joy, days spent on the set of his father's television shows, his brief encounter with Bob Hope when he crawled through the hedges dividing their property in order to sneak a picture of Mrs. Hope, whom the neighborhood boys insisted swam in the nude in her backyard, and days spent basking in "celebrity" as only the child of famous parents can.

Ernie Ford was a spectacularly successful entertainer, a man with the voice and talent to sing any style of music but who, almost by default due to his "Tennessee Ernie" image, became best known as a country music singer. At the peak of his career, he was world-famous and played to particularly large audiences in England. As so often happens to a singer, today he is probably best-known for a single recording, "Sixteen Tons," which in 1955 became the fastest selling single in the history of the record business. Ernie Ford received numerous honors during his career, but four of them particularly stand out because they reward his decades as an entertainer: the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1984, induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1990 and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1994, and three stars on the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame (one each for television, recordings and radio).

Jeffrey Buckner Ford presents the contrast between Ernie Ford's public success and the frustrating failures he experienced in private in what is often a conversationally ironic tone, an approach that makes the sadness of Ernie's life especially vivid. Longtime fans of Ernie Ford are certain to find River of No Return a gratifying experience despite its sad revelations about his personal life. Those not as familiar with Ford as a performer will likely read the book more as the cautionary tale it is but might, at the same time, find themselves compelled to investigate his musical history. They will be better off for having discovered why Ernie Ford is still considered to be an American music legend.

Tennessee Ernie Ford was one of the world's most beloved performers - 16 tons of talent who could do it all! In this remarkable book, his son Jeffrey Buckner ("Buck") Ford has written a poignant love letter to his parents, telling their story with unflinching honesty and candor.Their journey together as a family wasn't at all what the world thought it was, showing yet again that life is not always what it seems. The highs, the lows, the joys, and God knows the pains are all here - told in an extremely well-written book that's impossible to put down. I guarantee you'll need some extra Kleenex as you see how the pressures of super-stardom and unbelievable success were too hard to bear and changed them all forever. I can't recommend this book highly enough - truly one of the best books I've ever read!

The Tennessee Ford Shows were regular viewing events around our home when I was growing up (the day time shows and the history making night time show) in smalltown Circleville, Ohio. Ernie's shows represented the tops in tasteful entertainment for the entire family...and we especially enjoyed the courage it took for him to go against network brass, record executives and sponsors to make it fashionable (and very popular) to sing sacred songs. We were especially excited when family favorite Gisele MacKenzie would make an appearance with Ern (between the daytime and nighttime shows, she appeared four times), and became the only artist other than Ernie to sing the hymn of the week, and even did Ford commercials with Ernie! We only had thoughts of what a happy homelife Mr. Ford must have. How on earth did the dark side of the Ford family remain so covered up for all these years!?? I purchased this revealing book with great caution...I was fearful that I'd be getting another 'parent dearest' type book by a disgruntled relative! The book tells the heartbreaking story of a legend and his family and what booze can do to it and how things can become so ugly and out-of-control, like when Ernie's second wife had the legend's children banned from the superstar's funeral. The image of Ernie lying on air port floors, bleeding and drunk was almost too much for me to imagine or handle, but there it is in all its horrific detail. Although I thought I knew much about Ernie's life, I never dreamed that his 'beloved' first wife, Betty, hadn't died of natural causes. Jeffrey Ford masterfully and tastefull tells the dreadfully exasperating story of a broken family living a lie in the public spotlight...I felt his sons' pain...and I experienced personal pain myself as I tried to reconcile the life of the great entertainer and hymn singer with gory reality, along with Mr. Ford's wondrous achievements that won him a place in The Country Music Hall of Fame. Nothing, not even facing the facts of the real Ernie Ford, his family and life, can take away my grand memories of coming home from school on a daily basis to find my own Mother working in the kitchen and singing along with one of Ernie's dozens of sacred albums. He brought us all so much grand entertainment, personal hope and grand memories, while suffering a living hell of his own. Bless your heart, Ernie Ford, and I wish both your sons a happy life. Thanks, Jeffrey Ford, for a most remarkable and informative book.

I purchased this book with some apprehension. Tennessee Ernie Ford's performances on TV and recordings were a staple in my home during my childhood. In 1959, when I was ten, I was asked what famous person I would most like to meet. Without hesitation I answered, "Tennessee Ernie Ford." Hearing him sing hymns of faith still moves me deeply. I was troubled to read of the realities he faced, but I truly admire the author's ability to tell the truth and still honor Ernie and Betty Ford. The Tennessee Ernie Ford of my imagination must now make room for the Ernest Ford of reality. This book has transformed my idolizing into true admiration for a man of complexity and talent.

Tennessee Ernie was a true super-star, and yet the man himself was remarkably FREE of the neuroses and excesses that corrupt and destroy the personal lives of so many of them. He was a common man, as decent and unassuming as any major celebrity could possibly be....a loving husband and father, who cared deeply for his family, provided for them, treasured his vacation time with them, and ultimately longed to retire from the meat-grinder of show business and get back to life on the ranch. And yet, a combination of emotional and social influences (ie: the 1960's) STILL managed to undermine and seriously damage the relationship of Ernie Ford, his wife and their two sons, one of whom (Jeff "Buck" Ford) has penned this intense, super-charged emotional chronicle.

This is NOT a typical biography, though it does contain a lot of factual information. In many respects, it's not my cup of tea. The author's literary style occasionally veers into purplish excess (his descriptions of crying and liquor, for instance, include "liquid", "lubrication", "salty thick stream", etc); however, these are balanced by other passages, such as his memories of his family's sunset sailing adventures in Hawaii, that are truly poetic and beautifully worded.

There are passages that seem to go on forever....including an overwrought description of one of Ernie's hunting buddies who accidentally shot himself in the butt, a grotesque retelling that has NOTHING important to do with the narrative of the book. These sections are frustrating, since I had hoped to find more detailed information about, say, Ernie's professional working relationship with his fabulous musical director, Jack Fascinato. Too bad, since young Ford is a performer and musician himself and certainly could have written with authority on these things.

Still, one must accept the fact that the author's intent was NOT to create a standard biography, but rather to take us on his own personal and philosophical journey. And even though I looked forward to the book's conclusion, knowing from the very beginning that the Ford's family story bascially ends in tragedy, I still found Jeff Ford's insights and sense of closure at the end steeped in a sort of wisdom and maturity that struck me as rather profound. I wish him, his brother, and his own family the best.

Incidentally, Jeff Ford describes a series of 260 short radio programs which his dad recorded in 1953 with a six-man rhythm section; everyone who knew of these superb performances regarded them as (probably) the best thing that Ernie Ford ever did. Glad to report that Jeff Ford has recently produced a cd of 23 songs from these live shows on the SUNDAZED label entitled "6,000 SUNSET BOULEVARD". If you are a fan of the artistry of Tennessee Ernie, you really should get this disc ASAP!

What a talent! Its a shame he didn't have time for himself, or his wife. A very honest review of the life of Ernie Ford. For me there were several surprises in this book. It has to be placed in the "Must Read" catagory.

I really enjoyed this book. The author, Jeffrey Buckner Ford (his son) gave a very thoughtful and insightful history of Tennessee Ernie Ford's life and how it affected him. I have to admit that I never knew that Mr. Ford and his wife had such struggles with alcohol, or that Mrs. Ford died the way she did. I also was not aware of the family issues after he re-married. Tennessee Ernie Ford has always been a favorite of mine, and even though his life was troubled, he was still a great entertainer and a great man. He left a wonderful legacy for his sons and his fans. It's also nice to read a heartfelt story written by his son without bitterness or hate. You can tell his son loved him very much and will always have fond memories of his dad. I would highly recommend reading this book if you are interested to learn more about this wonderful human being. I was just sorry that Mr. Ford was not able to find the peace he had seeked before he crossed over. Stories like this are a testament that celebrities are people just like everyone else. Thank you for writing such a sensitive story.

Buck Ford has done an absolutely beautiful job in telling his family history here in River of No Return. What a loving tribute to his parents and while they may not be proud of themselves in this book, they would certainly be proud of their son(s). Buck could have easily made this story into a "poor little me" book but instead he showed the power of the human spirit as he rose above his family history of mental and verbal abuse and put into words a love story that his family will surely cherish. I can't help but know that he will help others who are suffering the same anxiety in not knowing what and when the next incident will occur because of an alcoholic parent. Buck could have just decided this was his "lot in life" too and given up all hope of ever being happy or succeeding. It sounds like God put his wife and family on this earth to get him to write this book and get word out that life can be good, regardless of what you feel has been dealt to you.
Congratulations Buck! I feel like I grew up with you and your family and knew you personally! I wish I had! You're childhood stories cracked me up, especially the quick wit you had with your next door neighbors, the Hopes. I laughed so hard at that story and have shared it with everyone! I was too young to appreciate Ernie Ford's music but I have come across it many times since and the YouTube video of the Christmas special when Ernie sings, Children Go Where I Send Thee, with Brion getting into the song is something I enjoy watching over and over again. With the sad footnote of Brion's death last year, I cherish it even more. No one will ever fill Tennesse Ernie Ford's shoes or come close to his gift of that gorgeous voice. God bless Ernie, Betty and Brion. God blessed us with Buck and this story. Thank you so much! The Ball Family, Houston

Jeffery Buckner Ford has written a wonderful story of his journey as the son of Tennessee Ernie Ford. This is a must read for all of us who experienced his father's great musical talent on the radio and television. Jeffery describes the interesting business details of his father's career as well as his family's personal triumphs and heartaches. Jeffery makes you feel as though you are right there experiencing his life with him. The author tells the story with a heartfelt range of emotions from humor to saddness.Thanks Jeffery for writing about your interesting life as the son of Tennessee Ernie Ford.I will be buying the book for Christmas presents this year. I highly recommend this book to all of you!

This is a wonderful book, very interesting and entertaining to read! I loved it and my only regret is that I wish it had gone into more details about the family's private lives. I would especially like to know more about the woman that Ernie married so soon after Betty's death from an overdose of pills. Buck does not give much information or background at all on her, only to say that she was an old family friend of long standing. She certainly turned out to be a number one B---h straight out of HELL! She seemed to have hated Betty Ford with a passion and even tried to change Buck's memories and image of his mother, even making the statement that Betty never loved Ernie! I think just the opposite was true, that she loved him so much that she was afraid of losing him after he became so famous and such a huge, well-known, and beloved figure. This insecurity about being left behind after he achieved such fame and glory is what drove her to drink and escapism, in my opinion.

And to all of you who is not aware: Brion, the younger son, passed away last year, almost a year ago this next month. He died in late October (around the 28th 0f October) 2008, of lung cancer. He was only 56 years old. He is buried in his home town of White House, Tennessee. He had one son and three grandchildren at the time of his death. I believe he was divorced from his wife, Vivian at the time of his death.

For a very enjoyable journey via reading a book, you should buy this book! I don't think you will be sorry that you did, you will only wish for more. Perhaps Buck will write another book and tell us more of his life with his beloved (by all) father. Tennessee Ernie Ford. There are several DVD's of some of his TV shows available for purchase at amazon.com. I have ordered several of them and can't wait to view them all! I am sure they will be as entertaining now as they were the first time around when I watched his shows on television many, many years ago, and will be more special to me now, simply because this wonderful man with the big, incredible voice is no long amongst us.
Thank you so much, Jeffrey "Buck" Ford, for sharing your memories of your very special father and his beloved Betty with us.

Alphia D. Larkins
"A Tennessean Born and Bred"
Acworth, Georgia
September 24, 2009