Web. Dave "Snuffy" Smith played bass from late 1959 to 1960. From the early 1930's on, he gained fame as a singing cowboy on the radio, in movies, and on television. The town of Gene Autry, Oklahoma, was named in his honor, as was the Gene Autry precinct in Mesa, Arizona. Other members at this time were Jimmy Seals, Dash Crofts, Johnny Meeks, and Dave Burgess. In addition, Champion starred in 26 episodes of his own television series The Adventures of Champion in 1955 and 1956. The last lineup of the band prior to the 2020 revival, in 1964,[1] included Johnny Trombatore, who co-wrote some songs with Jim Seals, Dash Crofts, Maurice Marshall, bassist Curtis Paul and Seals' replacement on saxophone, Keith MacKendrick. The LP contains 12 newly recorded tracks including a raucous "party" rendition of their signature hit plus seven new Burgess compositions. This article is about the band. Send the Editors a message about this record. The prototypical singing cowboy, an icon of early Hollywood and a lasting influence on country music. The Champs also recorded a sequel to "Tequila" entitled "Too Much Tequila". In 1985, "Tequila" featured prominently in the film Pee Wee's Big Adventure. It has also been recorded by rappers A.L.T. [1] The group took their name from the name of Gene Autry's horse, Champion,[1] and was formed by studio executives at Autry's Challenge Records[2] to record a B-side for the Dave Burgess single, "Train to Nowhere". 24 October 2020. Throughout these years, Autry used three horses to portray "Champion": the original … Birth and Death Data: Born September 29th, 1907 (Grayson County), Died Studio City, Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1925 - 1940, Roles Represented in DAHR: vocalist, guitar, composer, lyricist, songwriter, yodeling, arranger, Notes: Listed on some Columbia labels as "Gene Autry (The Yodeling Cowboy). [6] Flores signed away the US rights to the song but retained worldwide rights until his death.[7]. [5], "Tequila" was written by the saxophonist Danny Flores, although he was credited as Chuck Rio because he was under contract to another record label (RPM Records) at the time. Gene Autry - Gene's Biography Born in Tioga, Texas on September 29, 1907, Gene Autry was raised in Texas and Oklahoma. and XL Singleton. "Tequila Party" is available at www.TheChampsOfficial.com. Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. Orvon Grover "Gene" Autry (September 29, 1907 – October 2, 1998), nicknamed The Singing Cowboy, was an American singer, songwriter, actor, musician and rodeo performer who gained fame largely by singing in a crooning style on radio, in films, and on television for … MLA Style. New Releases. In addition to his signature song, "Back in the Saddle Again", and his hit "At Mail Call Today", Autry is still remembered for his Christmas holiday songs, most especially his biggest hit "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" as well as "Frosty the Snowman", "Here Comes Santa Claus", and "Up on the House Top". Later band members included Glen Campbell,[9] Jerry Cole, Chuck Downs (drums), Rich Grissom, Johnny Meeks (of Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps, guitar), Gary Nieland (drums), Jerry Puckett (guitar), Marvin Siders, and Leon Sanders. Find Gene Autry discography, albums and singles on AllMusic. [3] The song was recorded at Gold Star Studios in fall 1957, and in 1959 won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance. ", Chicago Style In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Autry, Gene, 1907-1998 - "Autry, Gene." The Champs were an American rock and roll band, most famous for their Latin-tinged instrumental "Tequila". A member of both the Country Music Hall of Fame and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, Autry made 640 recordings, including over 300 songs written or co-written by himself. Prolific songwriter Burgess, who has in excess of 700 copyrights registered with BMI, wrote or co-wrote 14 songs on The Champs' first two Challenge Records LPs. From 1934 to 1953, Autry appeared in 93 films, and between 1950 and 1956 hosted The Gene Autry Show television series. American performer, counted as one of the most important artists in the history of country music, Autry is the only person to be awarded stars in all five categories on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, for film, television, music, radio, and live performance. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2020. https://viaf.org/viaf/113310336/, MusicBrainz: Benjamin Van Norman – bass (born July 19, 1928, Joseph A. Bernas – bass player (died April 12, 1999), This page was last edited on 17 October 2020, at 19:51. Autry was the owner of a television station, several radio stations in Southern California, and the Los Angeles/California/Anaheim Angels Major League Baseball team from 1961 to 1997. © 2008-2020 Regents of the University of California, All Rights Reserved. URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103669, LCNAR: [8] Autry, Gene. From 1934 to 1953, excluding 1943–45 while he served in the United States Army Air Corps., Autry appeared in 93 films and 91 episodes of The Gene Autry Show television series. APA Style His singing cowboy films were the first vehicle to carry country music to a national audience. In 2020, group leader Dave Burgess resurrected The Champs for a new album, "Tequila Party", scheduled for November release. Orvon Grover "Gene" Autry (September 29, 1907 – October 2, 1998), nicknamed The Singing Cowboy, was an American singer, songwriter, actor, musician and rodeo performer who gained fame largely by singing in a crooning style on radio, in films, and on television for more than three decades beginning in the early 1930s. During the 1930s and 1940s, he personified the straight-shooting hero—honest, brave, and true—and profoundly touched the lives of millions of Americans. Use facets below to limit or refine search. The intended throwaway track became more famous than its A-side, as "Tequila" went to No. The Champs were an American rock and roll band, most famous for their Latin-tinged instrumental "Tequila". Retrieved October 24, 2020, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103669. Champion the Wonder Horse was the on-screen companion of singing cowboy Gene Autry in 79 films between 1935 and 1952, and 91 television episodes of The Gene Autry Show between 1950 and 1955. https://musicbrainz.org/artist/675b7627-6b5d-4a46-a728-785cb24a299e. "Autry, Gene," accessed October 24, 2020, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103669. Autry was also one of the most important pioneering figures in the history of country music, considered the second major influential artist of the genre's development after Jimmie Rodgers. Featured New Releases ... Gene Autry Biography by Bruce Eder + Follow Artist. Discovered by humorist Will Rogers, in 1929 Autry was billed as "Oklahoma's Yodeling Cowboy" at KVOO in Tulsa, Oklahoma. 1 in just three weeks,[1] and the band became the first group to go to the top spot with an instrumental that was their first release. The Champs also had success with instrumentals such as "Limbo Rock" and "El Rancho Rock".