Did Gene Autry’s Horse Stay at Nashville’s Historic 5-Star Hermitage Hotel? Music and Movies Music History by da jack hayford - May 29, 2016June 13, 20230 Gene Autry's Horse Stayed at Nashville's Historic 5-Star Hermitage Hotel When Gene Autry checked into The Hermitage Hotel in 1941, it was a huge honor. Mr. Autry was one of the top celebrities of his day, but what made his visit even more special was that his horse, Champion, stayed right