when did rudolph the red-nosed reindeer song come out

The song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was first released in 1949 by Gene Autry, a popular country-western singer and actor. The song has since become a Christmas classic and is still played on the radio and sung in many holiday gatherings today. The song tells the story of Rudolph, a reindeer with a bright red nose, who is initially ostracized by the other reindeer for being different. But when he helps save Christmas by guiding Santa's sleigh through a blizzard, he becomes a hero and is celebrated for his unique gift.