Jackie Autry Jackie Autry Jackie Autry is the former owner of the Los Angeles Angels and widow of Gene Autry, actor, singer and businessman. On October 2, 1941, Autry was born as Jacqueline Evelyn Ellam in Newark, New Jersey. Autry served as the Honorary President of Major League Baseball's American League, from 2000 until 2015. Her main task was to present the American League Championship Award, the William Harridge Trophy, to the champion at the end of the ALCS as well as the ALCS MVP award. Autry is the only woman to ever serve on the Major League Baseball Executive Council, on
Gene Autry was encouraged to sing professionally by a customer, the famous humorist Will Rogers, who had heard him singing. As soon as he could save money to travel, he went to New York. In the autumn of 1928 he auditioned for Victor Records, shortly before purchase by David Sarnoff's RCA Corporation. According to Nathaniel Shilkret, director of Light Music for Victor at the time, Autry asked to speak to Shilkret when Autry found that he had been turned down. Shilkret explained to Autry that he was turned down not because of his voice, but because Victor had just made contracts with