Christmas Countdown

Gene Autry Day

autryToday is Monday, September 1st, 2014 and there are only 115 days left until Christmas.

Today is Gene Autry Day in honor of the man who brought not one but FOUR songs to Christmas greatness: Here Comes Santa Claus, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman and Up on the House Top. We celebrate Gene Autry Day today because this was the date in 1949 that Autry released Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.

Rudolph was a star
in his own right before Autry came along. In fact, he was ten years old in 1949. But Autry gave Rudolph a legendary push — and Rudolph soared like he never had before as just a character in a department store coloring book.

Autry’s recording of the song became the first #1 hit of the 1950s and went on to Christmas immortality, 2nd only to White Christmas in total sales.

Autry, of course, was famous long before Rudolph. The cowboy singer was genuine star of the 1930s on radio and records, then transferred that fame to movies. He is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and became known in his later years as the owner of the California Angels major league baseball team.

There are few bigger stars of Christmas than Gene Autry.

Father of 7, Grandfather of 7, husband of 1. Freelance writer, Major League baseball geek, aspiring Family Historian.

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