Biography
| Biography from: Definitive Country, The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Country Music and Its Performers. Copyright 1995; Barry McCloud and contributing writers. |  |
Born near Bon Aqua Post Office, about 35 miles west of Nashville, Ernest moved into the city in the mid 30's, where he became acquainted with the Anglin Brothers, who were then beginning their radio career at WSIX. He recalls Jack Anglin telling him to stick with the mandolin, as guitar pickers were too common. Taking Anglin's advice, Ernest began playing on a Saturday show at WSIX, where he made the acquaintance of Johnnie Wright, forming what later became known as the Tennessee Mountain Boys, Johnnie & Jack. Paul Warren, Emory Martin and Ernest worked at WSIX through the remainder of 1940. They then moved in succession to WBIG Greensboro, WCHS Charleston, and WHIS Bluefield, the two latter locales in West Virginia, in 1941 and 1942. Ernest spent most of 1943 working in a defense plant in Charleston, but then in January 1944, Ernest rejoined Wright's group at WNOX Knoxville.
Ferguson remained in Knoxville for several months picking with Wright and his new partner, Eddie Hill. That September, he went to WSM and joined forces with the Bailes Brothers, newly arrived at the Opry. He remained with them during their entire sojourn al WSM. He recorded with them on Columbia and King, providing most of the instrumental leads on their sides. When they left Nashville at the end of 1946, Ernest remained and started his own booking agency, although he did two more sessions with the Bailes Brothers in 1947. When Johnnie & Jack came to WSM and needed a mandolin player, Ernest worked with them on radio but did not go out on the road except for the week they went to Ohio and provided instrumental leads on the sides of the King Sacred Quartet (Johnnie & Jack plus Clyde Moody and Ray Atkins).
In May 1948, Ernest aspired to get back into music and rejoined the Bailes Brothers in Shreveport, replacing Clyde Baum, who ironically went to work with Johnnie & Jack. He remained with the Bailes' West Virginia Home Folk until their breakup, at which time Ernest went to Washington, D.C. to join Grandpa Jones, recording two sessions with him on King. In the fall of 1950, Ernest went to work as a drywall finisher but continued as a part time musician for the next several years as part of the Washington based Blue River Boys (Blue Mountain Boys). He also revived the comedy character of "Abner Abernacky."
Ferguson eventually returned to Tennessee. settling in the town of Fairview. where he continued to labor in the drywall trade. Although out of music for some 20 years, he got back in after meeting again Walter and Kyle Bailes. Thereafter, he worked many weekend dates with the Bailes Brothers and recorded again, with both of them on their Reunion album and with Walter, alone. In the fall of 1977. Ernest cut a mandolin instrumental album for Old Homestead, A modest gentleman. who can also sing most vocal parts when needed, Ferguson is truly one of the unsung musical heroes of his generation.
RECOMMENDED ALBUMS: Ernest
Ferguson Mandolin Album (Old Homestead - l977)
