Gene Autry

Gene Autry was born Orvon Gene Autry in Tioga, Texas on September 29, 1907. He was the best selling country and western singer from the Great Depression through the end of World War II.http://www.geneautry.com/geneautry/geneautry_biography.html He continued his recording career, and launched a movie career, following the war. Autry was active in the entertainment industry until his death in 1998.

Gene Autry received recognition during his lifetime, including induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, The National Cowboy Hall of Fame, and the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. He received the the Los Angeles Area Governor's Emmy from The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and The Songwriters Guild Life Achievement Award.http://www.nashvillesongwritersfoundation.com/a-c/gene-autry.aspx

His first performances were in the choir of his grandfather’s church. Later he purchased and learned to play a $12 mail order guitar to accompany him while singing at events in his local community. From 1928-1929 he performed on the Tulsa, Okla., Station KVOO as “Oklahoma’s Yodeling Cowboy”, before moving to New York City to record, eventually scoring a major hit with "That Silver-Haried Daddy of Mine" and earning a radio show in Chicago.http://songwritershalloffame.org/artists/C4125

He moved to California in 1934, and began starring in his own films in 1935. By 1937, he was the top drawing star for westerns. After enlisting in the Army Air Corps in World War II and flying supply missions over the Himalayas, he returned to his movie career in 1946. In 1950 he began a career in television with The Gene Autry Show, producing and starring in over 91 half-hour episodes, and producing other television programs as well.http://www.geneautry.com/geneautry/geneautry_biography.html

By the 1960s, Autry was only performing sporadically, and focused his attention on the ownership side of the entertainment industry. He owned several radio and television stations across America, including KMPC radio and KTLA Television in Los Angeles. He was an avid baseball fan and acquired the American League Los Angeles Angels baseball team in 1960, and held the title of Vice President of the American League until his death October 2, 1998.http://www.geneautry.com/geneautry/geneautry_biography.html

1955: Champion Western Adventureshttp://www.allmusic.com/artist/gene-autry-p1511/discography/main

1955: Gene Autry and Champion Western Adventures http://www.allmusic.com/artist/gene-autry-p1511/discography/main

1955: Gene Autry Sings Peter Cottontail http://www.allmusic.com/artist/gene-autry-p1511/discography/main

1955: Little Johnny Pilgrim http://www.allmusic.com/artist/gene-autry-p1511/discography/main

1955: Merry Christmas http://www.allmusic.com/artist/gene-autry-p1511/discography/main

1955: Rusty, The Rocking Horse http://www.allmusic.com/artist/gene-autry-p1511/discography/main

1955: Stampedehttp://www.allmusic.com/artist/gene-autry-p1511/discography/main

1955: The Story of the Nativity http://www.allmusic.com/artist/gene-autry-p1511/discography/main

1958: Gene Autry at the Rodeo http://www.allmusic.com/artist/gene-autry-p1511/discography/main

1965: Melody Ranch http://www.allmusic.com/artist/gene-autry-p1511/discography/main

1976: Live from Madison Square Garden http://www.allmusic.com/artist/gene-autry-p1511/discography/main

1981: Everyone's a Child at Christmas http://www.allmusic.com/artist/gene-autry-p1511/discography/main

• "Back in the Saddle Again"
• "Tumbling Tumbleweeds"
• "Be Honest With Me"
• "South of the Border (Down Mexico Way)"
• "Mexicali Rose"
• "Gold Mine in the Sky"
• "Take Me Back to My Boots and Saddle"