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Let Me Ride Down in Rocky Canyon
Gene Autry's Melody Ranch Radio Show
(July 26, 1942)


"Gene Autry's Melody Ranch" radio show broadcast from WBBM in Chicago, Illinois on July 26, 1942 was a very special program. During the show, Republic Pictures great cowboy star Gene Autry became Sgt. Gene Autry when he was sworn into the United States Army Air Forces. The broadcast begins with the show's announcer enthusiastically welcoming listeners and introducing "your host...that pleasant smiling son of Oklahoma...that bronc busting balladeer...Republic Pictures great cowboy star...GENE AUTRY!"

Gene then sings his popular song "Let Me Ride Down in Rocky Canyon" which debuted a few months earlier in his film "Heart of the Rio Grande."

The very next week, the radio show changed its name to "Sgt. Gene Autry" and was part of Gene's military duties from August 2, 1942 until August 1, 1943. After the war, "Gene Autry's Melody Ranch" radio show returned to the CBS radio network on September 23, 1945.

Composed by Gene Autry, Fred Rose & Ray Whitley
Published by Gene Autry's Western Music and Sony/ATV Milene

© Autry Qualified Interest Trust and The Autry Foundation


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