News Archive: 2006

Gene Autry's Cowboy Christmas

No matter where you find yourself on the planet during the holiday season, chances are you will hear Gene Autry sing his popular Christmas songs Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. And if you've ever wondered how Gene wrote Here Comes Santa Claus and how he came to record Rudolph, we've got the answers for you in our special Gene Autry's Cowboy Christmas section. This is the place to read about Gene's Christmas song history, find Christmas wallpaper for your computer, view a photo album from the Autry Museum's Founder's Day exhibit "Gene Autry, The Christmas Cowboy," plus you'll find Gene's Christmas CDs and other holiday items.

ASCAP Announces Top 25 Holiday Songs

Now that you're in the swing of the Christmas season, we're sure that you've heard Gene Autry's version of Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer a few times on the radio, television commercials, and holiday gatherings. Did you ever wonder which Christmas songs were played the most? On November 27, 2006, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) – the first and leading U.S. Performing Rights Organization representing over 260,000 music creators and copyright owners – announced its Top 25 most performed holiday songs for the past five years.

Gene Autry made the list twice; once at number 10 as the singer of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and again at number 21 as the co-writer and publisher of Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane).

To view the full list of the Top 25 Christmas songs, visit ASCAP's website here.

The Hollywood Christmas Parade
Live Broadcast Sunday
November 26, 2006 5:00PM/PST

The Hollywood Christmas parade celebrates its 75th year, live, on Sunday, November 26th at 5:00 PM/PST. You'll want to tune in and catch a glimpse of Gene Autry (in photos provided by Gene Autry Entertainment) and learn about his place in Hollywood history with this very famous parade.

Grand Marshall George Lopez and Diamond Jubilee Grand Marshall Regis Philbin will lead the parade down Hollywood Boulevard from the spectacular Kodak Theater, home of the Academy Award Show. Entertainment Tonight's Mark Steines and KTLA's Lu Parker return to host the parade, featuring High School Musical stars Corbin Bleu, Ashley Tisdale, and Monique Coleman, plus Isaiah Washington of Grey's Anatomy, Vincent Martella of Everybody Hates Chris, Mary McDonnel and Edward James Olmos of Battlestar Gallactica, Stephen Collins and Catherine Hicks from 7th Heaven, Joey Lawrence and Louis Van Amstel of Dancing With The Stars, and of course Santa Claus! There will also be colorful marching bands, glitzy floats, cartoon characters, and equestrian units.

JCPenny Television Commercial
Featuring Bing Crosby and the Andrew Sister's version of Here Comes Santa Claus "Mash-Up" with Fat Boy Slim's Wonderful Life

While you have the TV on watching the Hollywood Christmas Parade, you might just see the new JCPenny television commercial with Gene Autry's song Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane). The song was written by Gene Autry and Oakley Haldeman and is published by Gene Autry's Western Music Publishing. When the advertising agency approached us with the proposed "Mash-Up" (the merging of two unrelated songs to create a new mix version) of Bing Crosby's classic recording of the tune and the modern pop hit Wonderful Life by Fat Boy Slim, we immediately loved it! The concept of remembering holiday moments and making new memories is illustrated with the old and new tunes merged as one.

You can watch the commercial on the JCPenny website here.

Verizon Wireless Television Commercial
Featuring Gene Autry's Recording of Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)

Did your well-tuned Gene Autry fan ears pick up the fact that Gene Autry's recording of his classic Christmas song Here Comes Santa Claus is in the new Verizon Wireless television commercial? You don't hear Gene's voice, but we think you'll easily recognize that gorgeous horn made so famous on Gene's hit record. Look for the ad with the Verizon "Testman" at a mall where a kid asked for a V Cast phone and the "Network" is promoting the new Mint Chocolate phone and MP3 player. This makes the Mall Santa rather grumpy. We like the humor in the spot and hope you do, too.

As far as we know, the commercial is not on the web so you'll have to catch it on your television!

New Gene Autry Christmas CD

Fans have asked that this Christmas LP, The Original: Gene Autry Sings Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer & Other Christmas Favorites, be re-issued on CD. We are happy to announce we've done just that with Varese Sarabande Records!

Originally released in 1957, this fondly remembered Gene Autry album features "America's Favorite Singing Cowboy" performing his classic Christmas songs. Gene's spoken introductions to his holiday hits make this unique Christmas album a very personal listening experience. The LP has been out of print for decades, and fans could only get these specific recordings by Gene if they were lucky enough to find an LP at a flea market or rare-records store. Now, through the wonder of digital restoration, you can relive those cherished Christmas memories with this re-issue CD. For the track listing and details, read here.

Gene Autry Centennial
Artistry of Poland Glass Ornament

Celebrate the Gene Autry Centennial with this special handmade glass ornament! Lovingly reproduced from a 1940s photograph of Gene Autry and Champion, this new and elaborate glass ornament will be cherished by Gene Autry fans for years to come. The front features Gene Autry wearing a favorite flag bib shirt with Champion at his side. Depicted on the reverse side are his cowboy hat, favorite blue bird cowboy boots, D-45 Martin guitar, and his director's chair.

Available exclusively through the Autry National Center's museum store, this unique ornament has been created through a collaborative effort with the Autry Museum, Gene Autry Entertainment, and the Artistry of Poland. Each elegant glass ornament is handmade, lavishly hand painted, and arrives nestled in a red box featuring the official Gene Autry Centennial logo. You'll want one for your Christmas tree or to display year-round with your Gene Autry collection.

For purchasing information, go here.