Gene tried to play the saxophone when he was a youngster. He finally gave up and turned successfully to the guitar.

Watch a Gene Autry Video Clip

Don't Bite the Hand That's Feeding You
Gene Autry's Melody Ranch Radio Show
(December 7, 1947)

Gene Autry's December 7, 1947 Melody Ranch radio show marked the sixth anniversary of Pearl Harbor. The program's songs, humor, and the drama reflected that day and the war that followed.

It is important to understand the context in which Gene performed this number and who the post-World War II audience was in 1947.

Gene, who served in the Army Air Corps during World War II, introduces the song "Don't Bite the Hand That's Feeding You" by saying, "And now, I'd like to sing a song, that I've had the pleasure of doin' many, many times. Y'know, almost every day no matter where you go, you hear somebody say 'The thing that's wrong with this county is' and then they proceed to tell you about how much better it is somewhere else – and so for those Americans, I'm singing this song."

Gene Autry is backed by Carl Cotner's Orchestra for this performance.

Words and Music by Thomas Hoier and Jimmie Morgan
Arranged by Carl Cotner

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