News Archive: 2022

Dear Friends,

It is hard to believe 2023 is around the corner! The challenges continued this year individually and for the world; however, I hope you have fared wel. It is good to see communities opening again and recovery taking place in many areas.

Here at Gene Autry Entertainment we have continued riding the trail on behalf of America's Favorite Singing Cowboy, Gene Autry. In addition to the day-to-day work, our focus has been on going through Gene's historical files and photographs. This important project was started some years ago with the restoration of Gene's movies to their full theatrical length and their subsequent release on DVD, spear-headed and carrying through in all its phases by Karla Buhlman. Working hand-in-hand with engineer, Bob Fisher, and music producer Cary Mansfield, Karla also ensured that Gene's music was preserved and released on CDs for future generations to enjoy.

As you can imagine, Gene has literally thousands of photographs many of which have been identified, scanned into the computer, put in acid free sleeves and placed in museum quality binders in various categories. Of course, we have many more photos to ID and research continues on identifying these photos. As a bonus we have been able to discover background information and event dates on photographs thus giving them greater historical context.

Over the years we have carried on research into Gene's life and created chronological files documenting each facet of his life from his family background, birth and on up through his personal and professional life. Gene's biographer, Holly George-Warren, was also instrumental in this research. Holly's book Public Cowboy No. 1: The Life and Times Of Gene Autry is available from the Autry Museum of the American West store: https://shop.theautry.org/

Last December and in early January of this year, we gathered up all of the audio and visual videos, DVDs, CDs, etc., housed in the office over the years. These included a wide variety of subjects including interviews with Gene, Jackie and Gene's wedding, and so much more. Bob Fisher put these on two computer discs. One of these wil be housed in the Autry Museum's Library and Archives and one will be kept in our office. The work of ensuring Gene's history and legacy are preserved wil continue on in the coming year.

I am delighted to announce this year the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles dedicated the opening of the Jackie and Gene Autry Orthopedic Center. In addition, The Shriners for Children's Medical Center in Pasadena named two of their therapy rooms in honor of Gene, who was a proud 33-Degree Mason and Shriner. As many of you know, Gene made certain to visit Shriner's hospitals and other children's facilities when he toured. He loved to bring a smile to a child's face.

Mrs. Autry has focused much of her attention on helping those families and children who have been economically impacted, suffered loss due to natural disasters and those who have been torn from their homes because of war. She has continued to support efforts to conserve and protect our environment. Throughout the baseball season she attended games and cheered on Gene's beloved Angels Baseball Club. On one very memorable evening she joined with the players and staff who helped deliver the Angels first World Series Championship in 2002. Tillie and Gambler, her tail-wagging companions, still serve as her faithful sidekicks.

Once again fully open after the Pandemic, the Autry Museum of the American West staff are back in the saddle again with the new exhibit Dress Codes and more exciting exhibits on the horizon. After 33 years the Spirit of Imagination Gallery is being reimagined so stay tuned for thatupdate. The museum is also set to celebrate its 35th anniversary in 2023 and plans are being worked on for this special milestone. For those of you who would like to visit the Autry Museum's website from the comfort of your own home here's a link: https://theautry.org

Remember to visit the official Gene Autry website at www.geneautry.com You can also screen Gene's movies and The Gene Autry Show television series at Shout! Factory TV. See details for this and our other social media sites on Gene's website. The back of your Christmas card has additional information on Gene's social media links. Wherever your travels take you, there's a good chance Gene Autry wil be riding along with you singing "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" or "Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)." Of course, you can always check out the Gene Autry Christmas playlists on his official YouTube Channel and on Spotify. Wherever you go our Christmas Cowboy is there!

As always, if you have a change of address or any questions about Gene, please email me atmhansen@autry.com.

Thank you for your continued support and friendship to Jackie and Gene Autry and to us. I join with Mrs. Autry in wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a special Holiday Season. Let's each do what we can to make 2023 a beautiful New Year!