Biography
Gene Austin, born Lemeul Eugene Lucas in Gainesville, Texas in 1900, began his musical journey early, learning piano and guitar in Minden, Louisiana. His singing career unexpectedly launched at age 15 after a daring impromptu performance at a Houston vaudeville show. This led to a paid position with the vaudeville company, showcasing his natural talent. His early musical influences stemmed from his time singing in a Southern Baptist choir, and his experiences playing piano in New Orleans' vice district during his brief stint in the U.S. Army, where he served in both Mexico and France during World War I. After the war, he briefly pursued dentistry and law in Baltimore before returning to music.
Following his time in Baltimore, Austin's career blossomed. He formed a vaudeville act with Roy Bergere, co-writing "How Come You Do Me Like You Do". He later collaborated with Aileen Stanley on the popular song "When My Sugar Walks Down the Street" for Victor Talking Machine Company. His career skyrocketed with the release of "My Blue Heaven," which sold over 5 million copies, holding the title of best-selling record for a time. Other major hits included "The Lonesome Road," "Riding Around in the Rain," "Tonight You Belong to Me," and "Ramona." At the height of his success, he insisted on Fats Waller as his sole accompanist. He also worked with Nathaniel Shilkret and collaborated with George Reneau, providing vocals for his recordings. Later in his career, he formed a trio, "Gene Austin and his Candy and Coco," with bassist Johnny Candido and guitarist Otto Heimel, and had a radio series from 1932 to 1934. Colonel Tom Parker, later Elvis Presley's manager, began promoting Austin in 1938. Austin also appeared in several films, including Belle of the Nineties, Klondike Annie, and Sadie McKee (all 1934), Songs and Saddles (1938), and My Little Chickadee (1940).
Austin is recognized as an influential early crooner, credited by later artists like Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and Russ Columbo for shaping their genre. His intimate, radio-friendly singing style, adopted alongside contemporaries like Rudy Vallee, contrasted with the earlier, fuller-voiced style of tenors. Despite never learning to read music, he composed over 100 songs, many of which became standards and were recorded by numerous artists, including Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong, and Frank Sinatra. His recordings achieved record sales and high circulation, significantly impacting the music industry. His legacy includes two Grammy Hall of Fame inductions for "My Blue Heaven" and "Bye Bye Blackbird." His influence extended to country music, with Jimmie Rodgers citing him as an idol. Austin's success allowed him a comfortable retirement in Palm Springs, California, where he remained active in civic affairs until 1970.
Fun Facts
- Austin's stage name, Gene Austin, came from his stepfather, a blacksmith.
- His recording of "My Blue Heaven" sold over 5 million copies, a record at the time.
- He ran away from home at the age of 15.
- He unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic nomination for governor of Nevada in 1962.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- None explicitly mentioned in the source.
Key Collaborators
- Roy Bergere - Co-wrote "How Come You Do Me Like You Do".
- Aileen Stanley - Duet on "When My Sugar Walks Down the Street".
- Fats Waller - Accompanist during the peak of his career.
- Nathaniel Shilkret - Collaborated on recordings and songwriting.
- George Reneau - Provided vocals for Reneau's recordings.
- Johnny Candido - Bassist in his trio "Gene Austin and his Candy and Coco".
- Otto Heimel - Guitarist in his trio "Gene Austin and his Candy and Coco".
- Carmen Lombardo - Co-wrote "Riding Around in the Rain".
- Nat Shilkret - Co-wrote "The Lonesome Road".
Artists Influenced
- Bing Crosby
- Frank Sinatra
- Russ Columbo
- Jimmie Rodgers
Enhanced with AI analysis
Source: Wikipedia
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Restless Heart | 1957-12-17 | Album |
| My Blue Heaven (Original Recordings 1927 - 1934) | 2013-01-01 | Album |
| Popular 1920's Jazz Vocals (Encore 2) [Recorded 1925-1928] | 2015-01-23 | Album |
| Gene Austin Popular 1920's Jazz Vocals (Recorded 1925-1930) | 2014-11-22 | Album |
| Voice Of The Southland | 2007-07-23 | Album |
| Popular 1920's Jazz Vocals (Encore 3) [Recorded 1928-1942] | 2015-01-23 | Album |
| A Time To Relax | 2011-06-22 | Album |
| Gene Austin and his Candy and Coco (Remastered) | 2020-03-20 | Album |
| This Is Gene Austin | 2000-01-01 | Album |
| Gene Austin | 1926 | Album |
| My Blue Heaven | 2021-09-24 | Album |
| My Blue Heaven | 1959-01-01 | Album |
| The Voice of the Southland | 2020-06-19 | Album |
| My Blue Heaven | 2000-01-01 | Album |
Top Tracks
- My Blue Heaven (Restless Heart)
- My Blue Heaven (My Blue Heaven (Original Recordings 1927 - 1934))
- Bye Bye Blackbird (Restless Heart)
- Everything's Made for Love (Restless Heart)
- Girl of My Dreams (Recorded April 1928) (Popular 1920's Jazz Vocals (Encore 2) [Recorded 1925-1928])
- Everything's Made For Love (Voice Of The Southland)
- Charleston
- The Lonesome Road (Recorded 1927) (Gene Austin Popular 1920's Jazz Vocals (Recorded 1925-1930))
- Ain't She Sweet (Restless Heart)
- Girl of My Dreams (Restless Heart)
External Links
Heard on WWOZ
Gene Austin has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 12, 2025 | 19:27 | My Blue Heaven | Music of Mass Distractionw/ Black Mold |