The Yellow Rose of Texas

  The Yellow Rose of Texas is a traditional American folk song. “The earliest known version is found in Christy’s Plantation Melodies. No. 2, a songbook published under the authority of Edwin Pearce Christy in Philadelphia in 1853.” Christy founded Christy’s Minstrels. The song became popular during the American Civil War. The song was featured Read More

Behind the Song: Here Comes Santa Claus

Here Comes Santa Claus was inspired by a Christmas parade. In 1946, the original singing cowboy, Gene Autry, was riding Champion, his horse, down Hollywood Boulevard in the annual Christmas parade. He was placed just a few spots ahead of Santa Claus.  He noticed that no one was paying any attention to him.  They were Read More

Profile of a Performer: Gene Autry

Gene Autry gained fame as a singing cowboy, when his career began in the 1930s. He was born Orvon Grover Autry on September 29, 1907 in north Texas.  He would work on his father’s ranch while he was still in school. After leaving school, his talents singing and playing the guitar led to the opportunity Read More