Gene stated through the years that the only shoes he owned were golf shoes.
Gene Autry’s Cowboy Christmas
Posted December 6, 2024
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.
Santa, Gene Autry and happy kids at
the 1946 Hollywood Christmas Parade
Gene Autry was already a popular radio star and movie icon when he recorded Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) in 1947, a song which he co-wrote with Oakley Haldeman. The record launched Gene into yet another field of stardom, that of the role of the Christmas Cowboy. Gene’s affiliation with Old Saint Nick would lead him to record numerous Christmas songs including the chart-topping holiday hit, Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Gene also participated in the Hollywood Christmas Parade in 1945, 1946, 1947, and was the Grand Marshal of the parade in 1980. Gene and his wife Jackie Autry rode in the parade in the early 1980s.
Gene Autry riding Champion, Jr. in the 1946 Hollywood Christmas Parade
Johnny Grant and Gene photos: Honorary Mayor of Hollywood Johnny Grant, Champion and Gene Autry at the 1980 Hollywood Christmas Parade
Here are links to Gene’s most popular Christmas connections:
For even more the stories behind Gene's Christmas music and history, please visit our Gene Autry’s Cowboy Christmas section here.
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