Old Seattle Radio Saturday: gene autry, "the singin' media mogul"

Gene Autry wrote or sang, Here comes Santa Claus; Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, and Frosty the Snowman.

His CBS radio show, Gene Autry's Melody Ranch lasted 16 years.

His Golden West Broadcasters bought KVI in 1959; flipped it to talk in 1991, and sold it to Fisher Communications (along with KPLZ FM) in 1994. 

The "Singin' Cowboy," from the silver screen was also a gifted businessman. He died in 1998, at 91 with a net worth of about $320 million.

Comments

[Ryder]

Lets vvisit the year 1961. Early in the fall Jimmy Dean's BIG BAD JOHN was released. In the original release was the line, "At the bottom of this mine lies one hell of a man." Gene Autry refused to allow any stations he owned to play the record. And therer were otheer owners also. So the lyric was changed to "big big man."

At the same time the title of the record was changed from BIG JOHN to BIG BAD JOHN.

Jimmy Dean wrote the song while traveling on an airplane. In 30 days the 45 RPM sold in exxcess of 4,000,000 copies. Despite the fact that Billboard Magazine listed Bobby Lewwis' TOSSIN & TURNIN as the #1 record of the year, BIG BAD JOHN outsold it many times over. But then Billboard stops counting chart action for the year on November 1st.

Just think, if one were to consider population growth and how many more people bought records in later years than they did in 1961, that would be like selling $12,000,000 singles in 30 days. Beat that Michahel Jackson.

[joanie]

"Here Comes Santa Claus, Here Comes Santa Claus, Right Down Santa Claus Lane. . . "

My one and only favorite Gene Autry song. And still one of my favorite Christmas songs.

I was a Roy Rogers fan.

[Mark C.]

Thanks for the great post, Ryder. Can't imagine a day when the word "hell" would be censored. Autry should be spinning in his crypt at Forest Lawn right about now with our modern obscenities.

[Sandy]

Gene Autry is the only entertainer to have all five stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one each for Radio, Recording, Motion Pictures, Television, and Live Theatre. He did everything and owned a baseball team, too I think...

[joanie for Ryder]

I don't know if this is you or now, Ryder, but check it out and tell me. I think it's fun.

Holiday Music Special!! Dr. Elmo celebrates 30 years of “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer”. Dr. Elmo plays live in our studio and guides us through his expansive Christmas music catalog from Killer Fruitcake to Junk Bond Christmasto the rap version of Grandma, plus Santa’s E-mail from Nigeria, Christmas in the USA and the freaky Uncle Johnny’s Glass Eye.

It's not rock and roll but it brings back memories.

[Justice]

a deceptive move

[joanie]

hahaha, that's not chucks.

[Ryder]

Kool Joanie!

Really silly, lot of subtle humor.

The way I like it.

I remember when Grandma Got Run Over was released. We couldn't keep it in the store. I think the only 45 RPM that sold more was THE RODEO SONG.

Reminds me of some of the FIRESIGN THEATRE stuff.

[Bill Taylor]

As a KVI newsman in the 1970s, I was delighted that Mr. Autry would routinely attend the company Christmas parties. I remember one party in particular in Bellevue when he took the mic and sang "Here Comes Santa Claus" to a grateful and adoring crowd of employees. It was a magical moment, particularly for those of us who, as kids, idolized him in movies and on TV. A more generous and caring employer you could never ask for. I regard that period with Golden West Broadcasters as the highlight of my time in Seattle radio.

Bill