Gene Autry

Orvon Gene Autry (September 29, 1907 – October 2, 1998) was an American performer who gained fame as The Singing Cowboy on the radio, in movies and on television. An amateur talent with the guitar and voice led to his performing at local dances. After an encouraging chance encounter with Will Rogers, he began performing on local radio in 1928 as "Oklahoma's Yodeling Cowboy". He signed a recording deal with Columbia Records in 1931. He worked in Chicago, Illinois on the WLS (AM) radio show National Barn Dance for four years with his own show where he met singer/songwriter Smiley Burnette. In his early recording career Autry covered various genres, including a labor song, "The Death of Mother Jones" in 1931. But his first hit was in 1932 with That Silver-Haired Daddy of Mine, a duet with fellow railroad man, Jimmy Long. Autry also sang the classic hit "I'm Back in the Saddle Again". Autry has also sung many Christmas carols, including "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" and probably his biggest hit ever, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer". Melody Ranch (also known as Gene Autry's Melody Ranch) tells stories of a singing cowboy who returns to his hometown to restore order when his former childhood enemies take over the town.

Gene Autry

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