Austin, Gene
(1900–1972)> COMPOSER · SINGER
Gene Austin Composer and singer Gainesville, Texas, June 24, 1900; Palm Springs, California, January 24, 1972. Popular singer Austin composed two hit songs in 1924, “ How Come You Do Me Like You Do? ” and “When My Sugar Walks Down the Street.” Other hits were “The Lonesome Road” (1929) and “Ridin’ Around in the Rain” (1934). His soft voice and easygoing style made him a favorite on records and on radio , where he was billed as “The Voice of the Southland.” His duet with Aileen Stanley on “When…