Gene Autry

The late Gene Autry wore his nickname “The Singing Cowboy” as well as he wore his white cowboy hat. Also affectionately known as “The Oklahoma Yodelling Cowboy”, Oklahoma-raised Autry (born Orvon Gene Autry in Tioga, Texas on September 29, 1907) richly crooned his way through radio, TV and film, starting out as as a 'singing cowboy' on Chicago radio show National Barn Dance before Hollywood came calling. After securing a career-changing part in 1934 western In Old Santa Fe, Autry enjoyed a prolific acting career, appearing in 93 movies between 1934 and 1953. As a musician, he is known best for festive favorites "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer", "Frosty the Snowman", "Here Comes Santa Claus" and "Up on the House Top". From the early 1930s to the late 1950s, Autry made 640 recordings and wrote or co-wrote over 300 songs, including 1931 breakthrough, "That Silver-Haired Daddy of Mine", co-written by Autry and his friend Jimmy Long, and his 1940 hit version of "Blueberry Hill” for western The Singing Hill. Autry earned a dozen gold and platinum records, and with 100 million record sales under his belt, is one of the 20th century’s biggest selling country artists. Having enjoyed a successful career across TV, film, music, radio and theater, he claimed five stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Autry died of lymphoma in California aged 91 on October 2, 1998.