LOS ANGELES, CA

The Texas Tenors J C Fisher, John Hagen and Marcus Collins perform during the Autry National Center’s “23rd Annual The Electric West” held at the Autry Nation Center’s Museum on October 2, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

For 23 years, the Autry’s Annual Gala has produced one the Los Angeles’s most exciting social events and is one of the biggest fundraisers for the Autry. The black-tie or fancy Western attire evening includes the presentation of the Western Heritage Award, a cocktail reception, silent and live auctions, an elegant dinner, and entertainment by top performers. Past honorees include Clint Eastwood, Johnny Cash, Melissa Gilbert, Robert Wagner, N. Scott Momaday, Kirk Douglas, Sergio Leone, James Stewart, the National Park Service and other distinguished individuals and foundations.

Celebrity sightings abound over the years with attendance by the likes of John Forsythe, Burt Reynolds, Dick Clark, James Arness, Clint Eastwood, Angie Dickenson, Angie Everhart, Hugh O’Brien, Anne Jeffreys, Antonio Sabato Jr., Hopalong Cassidy’s widow Grace Boyd, and Gene Autry’s first on-screen kiss, Ann Rutherford among many more. Top-notch performers have graced the Gala stage including Willie Nelson; Glen Campbell; Rat Pack trio Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, and Frank Sinatra; Rosemary Clooney; Rich Little; Randy Travis; Alan Jackson; Norm Crosby; Joe Pesci; Vince Gill; and Patty Loveless.

Gala proceeds support important education and outreach programs that serve tens of thousands of children, their families, teachers, and scholars each year, as well as the Autry’s art and artifact acquisition fund.