COLLECTOR’S NOTES:

This BLB was adapted from a Republic Picture film that promoted Autry as "Public Cowboy No. 1." The story tells how Autry rounds up and puts a gang of cattle rustlers in jail.

Autry was born in Tioga, Texas on September 29, 1907 and christened, Orvon Gene Autry. His dad was a cattle buyer, and early in life Autry learned the skills of a cowboy. It was his grandfather, a Baptist minister, who taught him to sing in his church choir.

While working as a telegraph operator, Autry, in his free moments, would sing to his own guitar accompaniment. Will Rogers accidently overheard him and suggested that he try singing on radio.

In 1929 he got a job singing and telling cowboy stories on a small Tulsa radio station. He made his first commercial recording in October 1929. The following year he sang on an NBC affiliate station in Chicago. His first big hit record, That Silver-haired Daddy of Mine, went to the top of the music charts that same year.

Autry's Melody Ranch radio program was one of the longest running on the air waves. It began on CBS in January of 1940. The show was always sponsored by Wrigley's Gum. The highlight of each radio show was Autry's 10-15 minute story, fully dramatized, telling of a recent adventure. Surrounding the story was humor from Pat Buttram and many songs by Autry, the Cass County Boys, and others. Autry claimed his programs were broadcast from his home, Melody Ranch.

After serving in the Army Air Corps in WWII, he returned to the air waves. His Melody Ranch program was again sponsored by Wrigley's. The program came to an end in 1956.