Curt Massey Explained

Curt Massey
Birth Name:Curt Massey
Birth Date:1910 5, mf=yes
Birth Place:Midland, Texas
Death Place:Rancho Mirage, California
Nationality:American
Occupation:Singer, musician
Spouse:Edythe
Children:2

Curt Massey (May 3, 1910 – October 21, 1991)[1] was a musician in the old-time radio era.

Early years

Massey was born in Midland, Texas.[1] He came from a musical family, the best known of whom was probably Louise Massey, a country and western singer. Their father was Henry Massey.[2] As a youngster, he studied violin, trumpet, cornet, and piano. He went on to study music at the Horner Conservatory of Music in Kansas City.

Curt played violin for the family's musical group, Louise Massey and the Westerners.[1]

Radio

Massey had two self-titled music-variety programs. Curt Massey Time was on CBS beginning in 1943;[3] The Curt Massey Show was on ABC beginning in 1949. The latter co-starred Martha Tilton and was sometimes billed as The Curt Massey and Martha Tilton Show or as Alka-Seltzer Time.[4]

Other programs on which Massey was featured included Nash-Kelvinator's Musical Hits,[5] Sheaffer World Parade,[6] Romance in Rhythm,[7] Twilight Trail,[8] The Friday Night Show,[9] The Andrews Sisters Program, Avalon Time, KMBC Brush Creek Follies, Holiday for Music, Plantation Jubilee, and Plantation Party.[10] On January 2, 1956, Massey debuted on KNX radio in Los Angeles with a 25-minute weeknight program. It lasted three months.[11]

In some cases, Massey arranged music for programs in addition to singing and playing instruments.[12]

Television

In October 1956, Massey began a Monday-Thursday program on KRCA-TV in Los Angeles, California. The 6:15 p.m. (Pacific Time) program also featured Martha Tilton and Country Washburn and was broadcast in color at least during Summer 1959.[13] Massey also wrote and sang the theme song for the television series Petticoat Junction.

Recognition

In 1961, Massey received an Emmy Award "for his career in radio and television."[14]

Personal life

Massey and his wife, Edythe, had two sons, Stephen and David.[15]

Death

Massey died October 21, 1991, at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, California. He was 81.[16]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1936The Hills of Old WyominHimself as a Westerners Band MemberShort film directed by Dave Fleischer.
1937Twilight on the TrailHimself as a Member of The Westerners Band
1938Love Goes WestHimself as a Member of The Westerners Band
Where the Buffalo RoamFiddle Player

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1963The Beverly HillbilliesViolinistEpisode: "The Garden Party" (S 2:Ep 11)
1971Officer MasseyEpisode: "Jethro Returns" (S 9:Ep 24)

Television composer credits

YearTitleNotes
1963–70Petticoat Junction199 episodes
1964–71The Beverly Hillbillies222 episodes

Soundtrack credits

YearTitleRoleNotes
1936The Hills of Old WyominMember of The Westerners Band
1937Twilight on the TrailMember of The Westerners Band
1944Swing in the SaddleWriter
1948The Strawberry RoanThe Angel Song (When the Angels turn the lights on in Heaven)

Partial discography

External links

Notes and References

  1. DeLong, Thomas A. (1996). Radio Stars: An Illustrated Biographical Dictionary of 953 Performers, 1920 through 1960. McFarland & Company, Inc. . Pp. 185-186.
  2. Web site: Mabie, Victoria Louise Massey. Texas State Historical Association. 15 February 2016.
  3. Terrace, Vincent (1981), Radio's Golden Years: The Encyclopedia of Radio Programs 1930-1960. A.S. Barnes & Company, Inc. . P. 67.
  4. Sies, Luther F. (2014). Encyclopedia of American Radio, 1920-1960, 2nd Edition, Volume 1. McFarland & Company, Inc. . Pp. 18, 173.
  5. News: (Kelvinator advertisement). 18 February 2016. Life. August 5, 1946. 2.
  6. News: Four-Way Pick-Up. 16 February 2016. Billboard. February 19, 1944. 11.
  7. News: (radio listing). The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. December 27, 1939. New York, Brooklyn. 22. Newspapers.com. February 16, 2016.
  8. News: Her Songs Heard On Western Trail. The News-Review . The News-Review. October 16, 1939. Oregon, Roseburg. 3. Newspapers.com. February 16, 2016.
  9. News: Radio Highlights. Freeport Journal-Standard . Freeport Journal-Standard. September 13, 1940. Illinois, Freeport. 7. Newspapers.com. February 16, 2016.
  10. News: Plantation Party to Feature Girls. The Ogden Standard-Examiner . The Ogden Standard-Examiner. May 19, 1939. Utah, Ogden. 12. Newspapers.com. February 16, 2016.
  11. Book: Cox . Jim . Musicmakers of Network Radio: 24 Entertainers, 1926-1962 . 10 January 2014 . McFarland . 978-0-7864-8962-6 . 309 . January 30, 2021 . en.
  12. News: Song Wrangler. The News-Review . The News-Review. October 31, 1939. Oregon, Roseburg. 3. Newspapers.com. February 16, 2016.
  13. News: Ames. Walter. Tucker Has Fun as Crunch; Massey and Crew Back on TV. The Los Angeles Times. October 29, 1956. California, Los Angeles. Part II - P 10. Newspapers.com. April 21, 2018.
  14. News: Curt Massey. May 27, 2021. Orlando Sentinel. October 23, 1991.
  15. Massey. Edythe. Curt Massey -- the MAN in my life. Radio-TV Mirror. April 1952. 37. 5. 38–39, 101. 16 February 2016.
  16. News: Singer Curt Massey dead at 81. The San Bernardino County Sun. October 22, 1991. California, San Bernardino. 35.
  17. News: Massey on MBS Net. 16 February 2016. Billboard. January 20, 1945. 63.
  18. News: Honor Roll of Hits. 16 February 2016. Billboard. October 5, 1946. 20.