Duke of Paducah, 1901-1986

Country music performer and comedian. Born May 12, 1901. Died June 20, 1986. Real name: Benjamin Francis Ford. Later given the nickname "Whitey" for his blond hair. Acquired stage name, the Duke of Paducah, in the 1930s. Career active 1920s-1950s. Star of the Grand Ole Opry during the 1940s. Member, Country Music Hall of Fame.

From the description of Oral history interview with the Duke of Paducah; 1984 August 1; interview conducted by John W. Rumble. 1984 Aug. 1. (Country Music Foundation, Library & Media Center). WorldCat record id: 58840903

From the description of Oral history interview with the Duke of Paducah; 1975 January 22; interview conducted by Douglas B. Green. 1975 Jan. 22. (Country Music Foundation, Library & Media Center). WorldCat record id: 58840898

From the description of Oral history interview with the Duke of Paducah; 1984 July 20; interview conducted by John W. Rumble. 1984 July 20. (Country Music Foundation, Library & Media Center). WorldCat record id: 58840906

From the description of Oral history interview with the Duke of Paducah; 1984 July 13; interview conducted by John W. Rumble. 1984 July 13. (Country Music Foundation, Library & Media Center). WorldCat record id: 58840900

From the description of Oral history interview with the Duke of Paducah; 1984 July 18; interview conducted by John W. Rumble. 1984 July 18. (Country Music Foundation, Library & Media Center). WorldCat record id: 58840904

From the description of Oral history interview with the Duke of Paducah; 1984 July 19; interview conducted by John W. Rumble. 1984 July 19. (Country Music Foundation, Library & Media Center). WorldCat record id: 58840905

From the description of Oral history interview with the Duke of Paducah; 1984 July 25; interview conducted by John W. Rumble. 1984 July 25. (Country Music Foundation, Library & Media Center). WorldCat record id: 58840901

From the description of Oral history interview with the Duke of Paducah; 1984 July 11; interview conducted by John W. Rumble. 1984 July 11. (Country Music Foundation, Library & Media Center). WorldCat record id: 58840899

From the description of Oral history interview with the Duke of Paducah; 1984 July 31; interview conducted by John W. Rumble. 1984 July 31. (Country Music Foundation, Library & Media Center). WorldCat record id: 58840902

From the description of Oral history interview with the Duke of Paducah; 1984 July 27; interview conducted by John W. Rumble. 1984 July 27. (Country Music Foundation, Library & Media Center). WorldCat record id: 58840907

Benjamin Francis "Whitey" Ford, musician and actor, was born May 12, 1901, in Desoto, Missouri, and died June 20, 1986, in Nashville, Tennessee. In the 1920s he toured the United States with his own Dixie Land jazz band, joined Gene Autry's radio shows "Show Boat" and "Barn Dance," and performed at station KWK in St. Louis where he was nicknamed "Duke of Paducah." Ford joined NBC to do the "Plantation Party" radio shows (1938-1942) and made his first appearances with the "Grand Ole Opry" radio show (1942), which he continued for 16 years. He appeared in two movies, "Country Fair" (1941) and "Country Music on Broadway" (1963). Through the 1940s and 1950s he appeared (as entertainer, disc jockey, host, etc.) on the radio shows "Jax All-Star Jubilee," "Duke of Paducah Show," and the "Purina Show." In the 1980s, Ford was nominated for the Country Music Hall of Fame.

From the description of Duke of Paducah collection, 1938-1953. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 123373638