Born in Tioga, Texas, Autry was raised in Texas and Oklahoma. Discovered by humorist Will Rogers, in 1929 Autry was billed as “Oklahoma’s Yodeling Cowboy” at KVOO in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He gained a popular following, a recording contract with Columbia Records in 1929, and soon after, performed on the “National Barn Dance” for radio station WLS in Chicago. Autry first appeared on screen in 1934 and up to 1953 popularized the musical Western and starred in 93 feature films. In 1940 theater exhibitors of America voted Autry the fourth biggest box office attraction, behind Mickey Rooney, Clark Gable, and Spencer Tracy.

 

While best known today as the singer of such holiday fare as Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane), Frosty The Snowman, Peter Cottontail, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, the second all-time best selling Christmas single of all time, Autry made 640 recordings, including more than 300 songs written or co-written by him. His records are reputed to have sold more than 100 million copies.  His recording of That Silver-Haired Daddy Of Mine is reputed to have sold more than 5 million copies.  Autry’s other significant recordings include:

 

    * You Are My Sunshine (1931)

    * A Face I See at Evening (1931)

    * The Last Roundup (1933)

    * Cowboy’s Heaven (1934)

    * South of the Border (1934)

    * Tumbling Tumbleweeds (1935)

    * Mexicali Rose (1935)

    * Take Me Back to My Boots and Saddle (1935)

    * Gold Mine in the Sky (1937)

    * Back in the Saddle Again (1939)

    * Blueberry Hill (1941)

    * Be Honest With Me (1946)

    * Ghost Riders in the Sky (1949)

    * Nobody’s Darlin’ but Mine (1957)

 

From 1940 to 1956 Autry hosted the weekly Melody Ranch radio show over the CBS Radio Network, featuring Autry’s trademark theme song Back In The Saddle Again. In addition, Autry’s popularity was apparent during his personal appearance tours. Claimed to have been the first performer to sell out Madison Square Garden, his concert and rodeo appearances throughout the United States and Europe served as a model for other performers. Autry often did two shows a day, seven days a week, for 65 to 85 days at a stretch.

 

In 1950, Autry became one of the first major movie stars to turn to television.  For the next five years he produced and starred in 91 half-hour episodes of The Gene Autry Show for CBS Television. This success lead him to produce such popular TV series as Annie Oakley, The Range Rider, Buffalo Bill Jr., The Adventures Of Champion as well as the first 39 episodes of Death Valley Days.