Gene Autry

From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia Orvon Grover Gene Autry September 29 1907 October 2 1998 nicknamed The Singing Cowboy was an American singer songwriter actor musician and rodeo performer who gained fame largely by singing in a crooning style on radio in films and on television for more than three decades beginning in the early 1930s From 1934 to 1953 Autry appeared in 93 films and between 1950 and 1956 hosted The Gene Autry Show television series During the 1930s and 1940s he personified the straightshooting hero honest brave and true Autry was also one of the most important pioneering figures in the history of country music considered the second major influential artist of the genres development after Jimmie Rodgers His singing cowboy films were the first vehicle to carry country music to a national audience In addition to his signature song Back in the Saddle Again and his hit At Mail Call Today Autry is still remembered for his Christmas holiday songs most especially his biggest hit Rudolph the RedNosed Reindeer as well as Frosty the Snowman Here Comes Santa Claus and Up on the House Top Autry is a member of both the Country Music Hall of Fame and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and is the only person to be awarded stars in all five categories on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for film television music radio and live performance