Gene Autry - Riding Down The Canyon

This wonderful song was first heard in the first Gene Autry movie for Republic pictures "Tumbling Tumbleweeds.". It opened in 1935. This song was written by Gene and Smiley (Frog) Burnette. It did not get the popularity of the "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" , which was written by Bob Nolan the year before, however, it has done very well over the years.

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[locklin011]

I know this version from the Willi-and-Leon-LP: On the road. (1979 CBS)

And I remember the lyrics until today.

[navydoctrinidad]

@locklin011 This is probably my favorite Western tune. I have heard it all my life. Great. Thanks for the comment. Charlie

[navydoctrinidad]

Thanks for the information on one of my all time favorite western songs. Thanks for watching.

[navydoctrinidad]

I've heard that story before. May or may not be true. When I hear it from "Frog" I'll really listen closely. At any rate they got a beautiful and lasting tune out there for us to enjoy 75 years later. Gene has five stars on the Holloywodd Walk of Fame.

[MrFrontrowkid]

@navydoctrinidad You might have to wait awhile to hear it from "Frog's" lips so while you're waiting, I suggest you contact Stephen Burnette (Smiley's son) through his website or check out the biography on Autry, "Gene Autry, Public Cowboy No. 1" The author, a country-music biographer, talked to Autry and all of his associates to come up with the definite Autry biography. I'm not saying that Autry didn't write any songs. He did with the help of Fred Rose, but that particular story is true.

[navydoctrinidad]

@MrFrontrowkid Like I said. When the Frog tells me I'll listen. I am hard headed also. I'm just as entitled as anyone else. Thanks for the note. Charlie

[ATSF1927]

1935 I was only 8 years old, I remember al these great Westerns, my favorite was Johnny Mack Brown. Gene was a great actor and singer too. These were only seen at the Picture Show. Wonderful memories.

[TheFrontrowkid]

This clip came from Autry's TV show circa 1955. It was part of a trilogy called "Code of the Flying A and was titled "Ride Ranchero." Autry now was using color as he could see the future of color television. However in the new medium you could tell he was reaching middle age and gaining weight. His TV series would end that year and his successful radio show Melody Ranch would end the following year.;

[texasslim05]

Actually, Smiley Burnette wrote this one on a bet from Gene Autry. They were driving from Chicago to Hollywood. Gene talked about publishing another songbook of cowboy songs as they were traveling through New Mexico. Smiley asked him if he could write a song to be included. Gene told him he would pay him $5 for a song if he could write it before reaching Pheonix. He did. Gene always added himself as co-writer on songs he bought and always held the copyrights, which help make him rich.



[ThomasASwilling]

You gotta hand it to Gene Autry, he could write a good song. In this case with the help of his good friend Smiley Burnette. This is one of my favorite Western songs, along with "Ghost Riders in the Sky," recorded by the Sons of the Pioneers, and "Tumbling Tumbleweeds," another one of theirs. Thanks for posting this.