According to a 1948 Life magazine article, "if [Gene's records] were all shipped to one place, [they] would make up a freight train solid with Western songs and be more than a mile long."
The Cowboy Is A Patriot
Posted October 29, 2002
In honor of America's Veterans, Varèse Vintage Records and Gene Autry Entertainment proudly announce the release of Gene Autry The Cowboy Is A Patriot On October 29, 2002.
In 1942 Gene Autry, America's Favorite Singing Cowboy and star of radio, records, and motion pictures, promoted America's war efforts through his weekly national radio program with patriotic songs, public service announcements, dramatic re-enactments, and Wrigley's Gum commercials. Gene heard his country's call to arms and enlisted into the Army Air Corps live on the air during his Melody Ranch radio show broadcast on July 26, 1942 at the request of the Pentagon. From that point, through the duration of World War II, Singing Cowboy Gene Autry became Sgt. Gene Autry and broadcast weekly from military bases around the country and the South Pacific.
The Cowboy Is A Patriot, a two disc set, features classic patriotic songs popular during the war years reflecting the emotions of soldiers and their families back home such as Any Bonds Today, God Bless America, This Is The Army Mr. Jones, and The Bible On The Table And The Flag Upon The Wall. Gene Autry presented a first-hand account of World War II via his broadcasts with songs, dramas, and war time announcements that informed and entertained. Presented chronologically through the war years, this collection presents a window into America's past.
The second disc features the original July 26, 1942 Gene Autry Melody Ranch radio show not heard in its entirety since originally airing sixty years ago.
The booklet features detailed liner notes by James E. Wise, Jr., author of the book Stars In Khaki: Movie Actors In The Army And Air Services, and rare World War II photos from Gene Autry's personal collection.
Gene Autry was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1969 and is the only entertainer to have all five stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one each for radio, records, movies, television, and live personal appearances.
For further information or review copies please contact Cary E. Mansfield, Vice President of A&R Varèse Sarabande Records mansfield@varesesarabande.com.
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