Billy Baskette Explained

William James Baskette (October 20, 1884 – November 8, 1949) was an American pianist and composer who wrote popular songs of the Tin Pan Alley era.[1] [2] [3] [4] He also wrote one of the most successful World War I war songs, "Good Bye Broadway, Hello France".

Baskette was born in Henderson, Kentucky.[5] His career in music began as a bassist in a circus band.[5] He also was involved in vaudeville performances as a dancer and a pianist. Later, he became a staff composer for various music publishing firms in Chicago and New York City.[6] He died in Culver City, California on November 8, 1949.

Baskette was a part of the Tin Pan Alley movement of music. In 1918, there was a focus on music called "goodbye songs" referring to U.S. soldiers who were deployed to France during World War I. One of Baskette's most notable works was "Goodbye Broadway, Hello France," which was a hit song of the period.

Selected compositions

Leo Feist, Inc.

Shapiro, Bernstein & Co., New York

Berlin & Snyder, Inc.

H. Waterson, New York

McCarthy & Fisher, Inc.

J. Albert & Son

Milton Weil Music Co., Chicago

Harold Rossiter Music Co., Chicago

C. Bayha Music, New York (Charlies Anthony Bayha; 1891–1957)

Harms, Inc.

Bobbins Music Corp., New York

Billy Baskette Music Co., New York

Publisher unknown

Mason Music Company, New York

Joe Davis, Inc., New York (Joseph Morton Davis; 1896–1978)

Mort Beck Music Co.

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† "Baby's Prayer Will Soon Be Answered" was written in 1918 in response to Baskette's earlier song "Just A Baby's Prayer at Twilight (For Her Daddy Over There)", a pair of late war songs hoping for a soldier's safe return.[7]

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. "Billy Basket, 64, Pianist, Songwriter", The New York Times, November 11, 1949
  2. The Heritage Encyclopedia of Band Music, Composers and Their Music, Supplement, by William H. Rehrig, Westerville, Ohio: Integrity Press, 1996
  3. The ASCAP Biographical Dictionary, Third edition, New York: American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, 1966
  4. ASCAP Biographical Dictionary, Fourth edition, compiled for the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, by Jaques Cattell Press, New York: R.R. Bowker, 1980
  5. Book: Shearer. Benjamin F.. Home front heroes : a biographical dictionary of Americans during wartime. 2007. Greenwood Press. 978-0313334207. 61.
  6. Book: Shearer. Benjamin F.. Home front heroes: a biographical dictionary of Americans during wartime. 2007. Greenwood Press. Westport, Conn.. 9780313334207. 61.
  7. Billy Baskettte, Germantown, Tennessee: The Parlor Songs Academy

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