Tomorrow Tangleweed is doing a performance at the Harold Washington Public Library in Chicago to commemorate the 100 anniversary of Gene Autry’s birth. With that in mind, here’s an early Gene Autry clip, from a 1936 film that has entered the public domain. You can still hear a powerful Jimmie Rodgers influence in his singing here. He hadn’t yet fully transitioned to the mellower singing cowboy voice he used later in his career. Gene is accompanied by the Sons of the Pioneers.

In the interest of equal time, here’s a clip of Beulah’s beautiful song, Gene Autry, from their record The Coast is Never Clear.