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Gene Autry

Gene Autry and the Twentieth-Century West: The Centennial Exhibition 1907–2007

About Me

HAPPY 101st BIRTHDAY
GENE AUTRY!

Join us at the Autry National Center for the

Bohlin Silver Show and Sale


Sunday, October 5, 10 am– 4 pm
Gene Autry Collectibles, Limited Edition Bronze Belt Buckle by Al Shelton, Debuted 1979
Shop from a variety of dazzling Bohlin silver pieces and meet David Marrold of Bohlin Silver who debuts a special commemorative Gene Autry buckle. View an exciting slide show of the Bohlin silver items found in the Autry collection. Free.
Bohlin Silver Show and Sale: Members and Public Tours
Sunday, October 5, 12:30–2 pm
Members receive a behind-the-scenes tour of Bohlin items, and everyone is invited on a special gallery tour. Gallery tour is free with museum admission.
Bohlin Silver Show and Sale: Family Activity
Sunday, October 5, 1–3 pm
Children can learn all about the Bohlin story and create their own piece of history in this family craft activity. Free with museum admission.
Thank you to all who made it out for the 2008
Dinner and a Movie

© Autry Qualified Interest Trust and the Autry Foundation.
Patrons dined al fresco, enjoyed special gallery talks, viewed fully restored Gene Autry Western films, and received discounts on Gene Autry movies in the museum store.
Senior Curator Michael Duchemin lead the Gene Autry gallery talks from inside the current exhibition Cowboys and Presidents, Vice President of Gene Autry Entertainment Karla Buhlman hosted a talk before the film, and finally, Gene Autry and Champion graced the movie screen. The Golden Spur Cafe offered tasty meals to kick off the evening.
We hope to see you again next year!

The Autry National Center wishes to thank all of you for your kind support, warm wishes, and fond stories you so generously shared with us as we celebrated Gene Autry's Centennial. May his legacy live on.


Here is your chance to own a part of the Gene Autry Centennial – original promotional street banners for the Autry National Center's exhibit.
Gene Autry and Champion street light banners graced the streets of Los Angeles and Hollywood promoting this popular exhibition about American's Favorite Singing Cowboy.
CLICK HERE TO PLACE YOUR ORDER TODAY!
On the whole my life has been favored by friendly winds. I watched, and was a part of, the development of talking pictures, the heyday of radio, the birth and incredible growth of television. I saw country music leap out of the haylofts and honkytonks. I had the best of two eras—mine and the one I re-created on the movie scene.

Throughout his long career, Gene Autry played many roles—as a recording, radio, motion picture, television and live performance star; singing cowboy, media maverick; sports team owner; and museum founder.

My Interests


Gene Autry and the Twentieth-Century West: The Centennial Exhibition 1907–2007
June 22, 2007, through January 13, 2008

More information and updates can be found at www.autrynationalcenter.org/geneautry/ or at www.autry.com

Autry National Center
4700 Western Heritage Way
Los Angeles, CA 90027
323.667.2000

Got a Gene Autry story to share?
Then post a comment and tell us all about your personal memory of Gene Autry. We would love to hear it!

Got a Gene Autry question?
Looking to brush up on your Gene Autry history? Wish you could dazzle your acquaintances with your new-found knowledge of America's Favorite Singing Cowboy? Head on over to www.geneautry.com/faq/ and Ask Champion, World's Wonder Horse.

I'd like to meet:

Did you know? Gene Autry is the first and only celebrity with all five stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Gene Autry, the legendary entertainer and businessman parlayed his consummate charm, amazing showmanship, impeccable timing, and sheer genius to achieve so much.

From his early days in rodeo and throughout his long career as a performer, Gene was accompanied by his partner and sidekick, Champion, the World’s Wonder Horse. Like Gene, Champion received thousands of fan letters every month.


Hundreds of artifacts and objects that frame Gene’s story were on display as part of the Centennial exhibition including a life-size replica of Gene and Champion, the World’s Wonder Horse, and Gene’s closet with his brilliant embroidered shirts by Nudie and Rodeo Ben, handsome hand-tooled leather boots from Lucchese of San Antonio, and spotless cowboy hats from Stetson and Resistol featuring the “Gene Autry crush.” Other key objects were his first gold record, Autry’s famous Martin D-45 guitar, and his retired baseball jersey. The gallery sections included The New Deal Cowboy, The Singing Cowboy, The Corporate Cowboy, The Cowboy, and Win One for the Cowboy.

Gene Autry and the Twentieth-Century West: The Centennial Exhibition 1907–2007 was on display at the Autry National Center from June 22, 2007, through January 13, 2008. The exhibition was accompanied by special programs and events that honor Gene and put a spotlight on his many achievements and contributions to the twentieth-century West.

Autry National Center
4700 Western Heritage Way
Los Angeles, CA 90027
323.667.2000
www.autrynationalcenter.org

Images from the Autry National Center Gala celebrating Gene Autry's 100th Birthday!
Saturday, September 29, 2007

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Photos by Abel Gutierrez

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Images by Roger Karnblatt and Tony Dontscheff

Images from the
Gene Autry Centennial Exhibition Benefactor's Preview
June 20, 2007


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Photos by Tony Dontscheff and Ventura Imagery
Images from the
Gene Autry Fan Club Adios Lunch
August 9, 2007


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Photos by Abel Gutierrez

Music:


Over a 70-year career, Gene Autry recorded 640 songs, including more than 300 that he wrote or cowrote.

Movies:


Gene Autry completed 93 movies, and starred in 91 television productions. In 1940, he was voted the fourth biggest box office attraction, behind only Mickey Rooney, Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy.

Television:


Gene Autry made the leap from radio shows to television in 1950, producing and starring as himself in The Gene Autry Show.


Westerns Channel Listings
Click here to check current and upcoming listings for Gene Autry on the Westerns Channel .

Books:


Public Cowboy No. 1: The Life and Times of Gene Autry by Holly George-Warren is now available at the Autry National Center museum store.

Heroes:


Gene Autry played a part in the major events of the era: He worked with President Roosevelt to express important national messages through entertainment in the 1930s, served in the Army Air Corps during World War II, and He established the standard of professional athlete as sports hero in the 1960s. At every critical time throughout the 20th century, Gene Autry was there—as a patriot, celebrity, visionary, and everyday hero who helped shape and influence culture.

Membership at the Autry National Center
Become a member today and enjoy yearlong free admission as well as invitations to our exclusive exhibition preview receptions. Click here to visit the membership page for the Autry Autry National Center Museum Store
Visit the museum store online to purchase Gene Autry movies, music, posters, books, collectibles, clothing, accessories, and more.
Click here to visit the Museum Store online .
NEW! Limited Edition men and women's Gene Autry-inspired shirts by Scully. View our photo gallery for more shirt images!
BLUEBIRD SHIRT
This Scully shirt is inspired by Gene Autry's Bluebird boots, which are now in the Autry National Center's permanent collection. If you live by Gene Autry's Cowboy Code, you can now look the part in a shirt made especially to celebrate the Gene Autry Centennial.
THUNDERBIRD SHIRT
This Scully shirt is inspired by Gene Autry's beautifully embroidered, personal appearance shirts from the 1940s and 1950s and is now in the Autry National Center's permanent collection. If you live by Gene Autry's Cowboy Code, you can now look the part in a shirt made especially to celebrate the Gene Autry Centennial.

My Blog

American Cowboy Magazine, July-August 2007 Article

One hundred years ago in the tiny rural community of Indian Creek, Texas, a son of the West was born who would one day change the way we look at the American cowboy. He would help to make Western musi...
Posted by Gene Autry on Tue, 21 Aug 2007 11:18:00 PST