What a thrill to visit the
Official Gene Autry Entertainment Office
and to meet the lovely people who work
so very hard to preserve his music, movies, and legend!!!

Thank you so much for the great commitment
you have to preserving all Gene Autry means
to the entire Entertainment Industry!!!
GOD BLESS YOU!!!

DARE I EVEN ASK TO SIT AT THE
GREAT GENE AUTRY'S DESK???

Before I knew it the words popped outta my mouth...
AND the realization of moving the chair out enough
for me to place myself into such an honorable seat....
just long enough for a picture!!!
PLEASE PINCH ME!!!!
After I stood and placed the chair back under
the desk, I realized my body was trembling all over!!!!
Words cannot even describe the honor and respect I felt
as I realized the overwhelming sensation of being in
the same seat that I'm sure the Great Gene Autry
had spent many hours in!!!




Charlotte and Maxine pose for a picture

No matter how, when or where you 'catch' Maxine
(and I do mean 'catch' - her usual pace is 100 mph)
She is as gracious and kind-hearted as anyone
I have ever met... I understand why she has been so
endearing and vital to the Autry's...
Both to Gene during the latter years of his life
and to Mrs. Autry after Gene's passing!!!

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU MAXINE
FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE AND STILL DO!!!
What an amazing woman!!

Of course, in true hospitality, she gave us
the grand tour!!!

Maxine at her desk...



Looks calm enough, doesn't it??
Trust me, the sounds of 'extreme business'
activity are carrying on behind her gracious smile!!

Better cut outta here before they put us to work.....
Besides we have one more stop to make......

Our trip to Los Angeles
came with joy, excitement,
and my long awaited opportunity
to pay honorable respects to Gene Autry!!

My emotions were so mixed:
Happy to finally be there...
Sad that he was gone and my lifelong
dream of meeting him would never be...
Honored to be at his final resting place...
Proud of who he was, and his legacy...
Even Proud of carrying the same last name
as his and carrying on his musical tradition...
Utter and complete joy in knowing that he would be proud of me
and YES even some frustration that knowing he would
be on my team, and capable of giving me some musical
direction to make my dreams come true,
even just a nudge in one direction or the other...



Tears were definitely the outlet of expression
of all the emotions I had this particular day...
and the reassurance that I will meet him in Heaven
some day, along with the rest of my near and distant
relatives.... That was the peace I left with!!!

Rest in Peace Gene!!!
You'll always be my pal!!!



YES, I did leave one of my cd's at his grave
and wrote a note on it...

"Listen to this Gene, and talk to God about it!!!"
                                    - Charlotte Autry








Back Home