SHORT TAKES : Tennessee Ernie Still ‘Thrilled’

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — It’s been a few weeks since Tennessee Ernie Ford was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame, but he says he still hasn’t come out of the clouds.

“I’ve got the gear down, but I’m not quite on the ground,” Ford said. “It was totally a surprise because I had some pretty stiff competition. Needless to say, I’m thrilled.”

Ford received the prestigious award during the Country Music Assn.’s Awards show telecast here Oct. 8.

“It means that over the years, you have accomplished something in your career,” Ford said. “It meant so much to me, and it gave me a very nice warm feeling, with the people, the way they reacted, the way they stood up that night.”

“The nicest thing that people say to me now wherever I go is ‘I feel like I know you.’ That’s before they say anything about the show or about my singing. ‘I feel like I know you.’ ”