Gene Autry's Melody Ranch program was a CBS Radio staple from 1940 until 1956. Unlike his TV show and Roy Rogers' radio and TV show, Autry offered more pop tunes with a little rural comedy from Pat Buttram and a short dramatic skit thrown in. His sponsor was perfecf was a singing cowboy, Doublemint Chewing Gum. Originally he had been on Sunday nights about 7 pm. but when Jack Benny was lured by CBS in 1949 in a talent raid, Benny was given the 7 p.m. slot because that was when he was on the air at NBC. Autry was moved to Saturday nights at 8 p.m for a few years before returning to Sundays at 6 pm. His programs are available on line at TennesseBillsOTR.com
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