Tubb, Ernest (1914-1984), was one of the most popular singers in the history of American country music. Tubb had one of the longest careers in country music, performing from the early 1930’s until just before his death. Tubb was also a songwriter and influenced country music for decades with his early support of singers who later became country music stars.
Ernest Dale Tubb was born on Feb. 9, 1914, on a cotton farm near Crisp, Texas. In the early 1930’s, he sang on his own radio show in San Antonio. He toured and sang on the radio throughout the late 1930’s, writing many of his own songs.
In 1941, Tubb recorded his biggest hit, “Walking the Floor over You.” In 1944, he formed a country band called the Texas Troubadors. By the mid-1940’s, he had become one of country music’s biggest stars, recording such hits as “Soldier’s Last Letter” (1944), “Tomorrow Never Comes” and “It’s Been So Long Darling” (both 1945), “Rainbow at Midnight” and “Filipino Baby” (both 1946), and “Slippin’ Around” and “Blue Christmas” (both 1949). Tubb also recorded several hits with other singers, including the Andrews Sisters (“I’m Biting My Fingernails and Thinkin’ of You,” 1949) and Red Foley (“Goodnight Irene,” 1950).
In 1947, Tubb opened the Ernest Tubb Record Shop in Nashville, the first record store devoted entirely to country music. He produced the radio show “Midnight Jamboree” at the store. The program ranks as the second longest running in country music history after the “Grand Ole Opry” and still was on the air in the early 2000’s. Over the years, “Midnight Jamboree” introduced many future country stars to the public.
Tubb was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1965. He died on Sept. 6, 1984. Justin Tubb, Ernest’s oldest son, became a country music singing star.
