Gene Autry One night in 1926 Autry was strumming the guitar and singing to pass the time at his telegraph operator job. A man came in to send a telegram and asked him to keep singing. The man told him he thought he had talent and that he should get a job on the radio. The "man" turned out to be Will Rogers. Autry soon quit his job and headed to New York. Birth Name: Orvon Gene Autry Induction Year: 1970 Date of Birth: 09/29/1907 Place of Birth: Tioga, TX Date of Death: 10/02/1998 Place of Death: Studio City, CA Former Occupations: Railroad Apprentice Telegraph Operator Education: High School - Ravia High School (Oklahoma) Graduated in 1925 Career Milestones: 1927 - Went to New York City to audition for Victor Records 1928 - Performed on nightly radio show as Oklahoma's Yodeling Cowboy (KVOO-Tulsa) 1929 - Returned to New York City where he cut his first record for Victor and went on to sign recording contract with American Record Corporaion ( a division of Columbia) 1929--first recording session under new contract in December early 1930s--performed in "Gene Autry Program" on radio (sponsored by Sears) 1931--became regular on the WLS National Barn Dance (carried by NBC) 1932--first major hit record "That Silver-Haired Daddy of Mine" 1933--first gold record ever awarded for "That Silver-Haired Daddy of Mine" 1934--went to Hollywood to break into film business 1934--feature film debut in "In Old Santa Fe" 1935--moved to California permanently 1935--filmed "Tumbling Tumbleweeds"; first western plotted and sold around the main character's ability to sing 1940--started performing on radio show "The Melody Ranch"; heard weekly over the CBS Radio Network until 1956 1940--broke all previous attendance records when he made his first appearance as star of the Gene Autry Flying A Ranch Rodeo at Madison Square Garden 1942--"Be Honest With Me" nominated for the Best Song Oscar from the 1941 film "Ridin' On a Rainbow" 1943--recorded "There's a Star Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere," "Home on the Range" and "When the Lights Go On Again" for the War Department 1947--release of "The Last Roundup" (first film made under Gene Autry Productions, released by Columbia) 1949--had first top pop hit "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"; this was the first record ever to go platinum and one of the top selling singles of all time 1950--television debut on CBS-TV on July 23 on "The Gene Autry Show" 1950--signed recording contract with Columbia Records 1952--formed Golden West Broadcasters, owner of numerous radio stations 1953--last released feature film "Last of the Pony Riders" 1964--made last record; retired from show business 1978--wrote autobiography (with Mickey Herskowitz) "Back in the Saddle Again" 1987--appeared as host on The Nashville Network's "Melody Ranch Theatre" on April 6, introducing 65 of his over 90 western films; hosted with his old sidekick Pat Buttram 1993--film "Sleepless in Seattle" features "Back in the Saddle Again" as part of its soundtrack Awards: 1937-1942, 1946-1953--voted #1 western star by the Motion Picture Herald Exhibitors Poll\top poll of the time period 1955--TV Radio Mirror Awards Poll\Favorite Western Star on Radio 1954-1955 1969--Country Music Hall of Fame induction 1973--CMA\Pioneer Award\in recognition of contributions to films and music since the early thirties 1976--ASCAP\Outstanding Country Song\Back in the Saddle Again\for publisher and composer 1976--SESAC\Award for Ambassador of Country Music 1980--National Broadcasters Hall of Fame induction 1981--American Indian and Cowboy Artists Society\Man of the West Award 1983--California Country Music Hall of Fame induction 1985--Songwriters Guild\Lifetime Achievement Award 1985--Grammy\Hall of Fame Award\Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 1987--Publicists Guild of America\Special Award of Merit\in recognition of a long and distinguished career in all phases of the entertainment industry 1989--American Classic Award (ASCAP)\first award presented for original songs 1989--NARAS\President's Merit Award\presented for Autry's achievements in radio, recording, film, television, and live performance 1989--ASCAP\special award 1991--Songwriters Hall of Fame\Lifetime Achievement Award 1997--Grammy\Hall of Fame Award\Back in the Saddle Again Catalog Highlights: Back in the Saddle Again Co-writer:Ray Whitley Artists: Gene Autry (1939) Be Honest With Me Co-writer: Fred Rose Artists: Gene Autry (1940) That Silver-Haired Daddy of Mine Co-writer: Jimmy Long Artists: Gene Autry with Jimmy Long (1931), Slim Whitman You're the Only Star in My Blue Heaven Artists: Gene Autry (1935) Sing Me a Song of the Saddle Co-writer: Frank Harford Artists: Gene Autry (1937) Dust Co-writer: Johnny Marvin Artists: Gene Autry (1937) As Long As I've Got My Horse Co-writer: Johnny Marvin, Fred Rose Artists: Gene Autry (1938) The Old Trail Co-writer: Johnny Marvin, Fred Rose Artists: Gene Autry (1938) Old November Moon Co-writer: Johnny Marvin Artists: Gene Autry (1939) I Just Want You Co-writer: Johnny Marvin, Fred Rose Artists: Gene Autry (1939) Blue Montana Skies Co-writer: Johnny Marvin, Fred Rose Artists: Gene Autry (1939) I Don't Belong in Your World Co-writer: Fred Rose Artists: Gene Autry (1939) Little Old Band of Gold Co-writer: C. Newman, F. Glickman Artists: Gene Autry Goodbye Little Darling Goodbye Co-writer: Johnny Marvin There'll Never Be Another Pal Like You Co-writer: Johnny Marvin, Tobias Artists: Gene Autry That Little Kid Sister of Mine Co-writer: Fred Rose Artists: Gene Autry Good Old-Fashioned Hoedown Co-writer: Lee Penney Artists: Gene Autry (1939) Under Fiesta Stars Co-writer: Fred Rose Artists: Gene Autry (1939) Lonely River Co-writer: Ray Whitley Artists: Gene Autry (1939) Keep Rollin', Lazy Longhorns Co-writer: Johnny Marvin Artists: Gene Autry I Hang My Head and Cry Co-writer: Fred Rose, Ray Whitley Artists: Gene Autry Tweedle O'Twill Co-writer: Fred Rose Artists: Gene Autry At Mail Call Today Co-writer: Fred Rose Artists: Gene Autry Silver Spurs Co-writer: Cindy Walker Artists: Gene Autry I Wish I Had Never Met Sunshine Co-writer: Dale Evans, Oakley Haldeman Artists: Gene Autry Here Comes Santa Claus Co-writer: Oakley Haldeman Artists: Gene Autry, Bing Crosby, Doris Day, The Andrews Sisters Pretty Mary Co-writer: Oakley Haldeman, Mitchell, McDonald Artists: Gene Autry A Voice in the Choir Co-writer: Michael Carr Artists: Gene Autry Dixie Cannonball Co-writer: Red Foley, Vaughn Horton Artists: Gene Autry Comments: Only entertainer with 5 stars on Hollywood's Walk of Fame (motion pictures, radio, music recording, television, live theater) In 1960, Autry invested in the California Angels baseball franchise