Billy Baskette

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. He also wrote one of the most successful World War I war songs, "Good Bye Broadway, Hello France".

Baskette was born in Henderson, Kentucky. His career in music began as a bassist in a circus band. 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. 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.

Birth and Death Data: Born October 20, 1884, Died November 8, 1949

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1917 - 1945

Roles Represented in DAHR: composer, songwriter, lyricist, piano

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 51-75 of 131 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Columbia 49237 12-in. 6/20/1917 Where do we go from here? Prince's Band Band composer  
Columbia 49298 12-in. 1/5/1918 War song medley one-step Prince's Band Band composer  
Columbia 49548 12-in. 10/29/1918 Oui, oui, Marie (Wee wee Marie) Yerkes Jazarimba Orchestra Instrumental ensemble songwriter  
Columbia W141254 10-in. 11/9/1925 Dream pal Lewis James Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer, lyricist  
Columbia W141644 10-in. 2/8/1926 Talking to the moon Ford and Glenn Male vocal duet, with piano composer  
Columbia W141669 10-in. 2/11/1926 Talking to the moon Art Kahn Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo (takes 1 and 2); jazz/dance band (takes 3 and 4) composer  
Columbia 141967 10-in. 4/14/1926 Talkin' to the moon Bar Harbor Society Orchestra [Selvin's Orchestra] Jazz/dance band composer  
Columbia W142413 10-in. 7/9/1926 The journey's end Paul Ash ; Milton Watson Male vocal solo, with piano lyricist, composer  
Columbia 143485 10-in. 2/16/1927 Hoosier sweetheart Rube Bloom ; Jane Gray Female vocal solo, with piano composer  
Columbia W143496 10-in. 2/18/1927 I could waltz on forever with you, sweetheart The Cavaliers ; Billy Jones Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Columbia W143498 10-in. 2/19/1927 Hoosier sweetheart (Say who) Columbians ; Charles Kaley Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Columbia W143550 10-in. 2/28/1927 Hoosier sweetheart (Say who) Ruth Etting Female vocal solo, with piano composer  
Columbia 143611 10-in. 3/9/1927 Hoosier sweetheart (Say who) Arthur Fields ; Manhattan Dance Makers Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Columbia W144088 10-in. 5/4/1927 I could waltz on forever with you sweetheart Art Gillham Male vocal solo, with piano composer  
Columbia W144700 10-in. 9/23/1927 Night-time in Picardy Garden Dancing Palace Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Columbia W147411 10-in. 12/12/1928 Dream train Ford and Glenn Male vocal duet, with piano composer  
Columbia 147940 10-in. 2/7/1929 Dream train Carolina Club Orchestra [Hal Kemp Orchestra] ; Arthur Fields Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Columbia 148876 10-in. 8/14/1929 That's when I learned to love you Lester Cortes ; Jerome Conrad Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Columbia W148911 10-in. 8/21/1929 That's when I learned to love you Will Osborne and his Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Columbia W150208 10-in. 4/14/1930 Waitin' for the evening mail Riley Puckett Male vocal solo, with guitar lyricist, composer  
Columbia [W]150933 10-in. 11/5/1930 Eyes of blue Jack Albin Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Columbia W152254 10-in. 8/11/1932 Same old moon (Same old sky) Connecticut Yankees ; Rudy Vallée Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Columbia W152255 10-in. 8/11/1932 Strange interlude Connecticut Yankees ; Rudy Vallée Dubbed recording : Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Columbia W152557 10-in. 11/14/1933 The perfect dream Enric Madriguera Orchestra ; Tony Santos Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Columbia W152569 10-in. 12/1/1933 I'm weaving rainbows (For those in love) George Olsen and his Music ; Joe Morrison Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
(Results 51-75 of 131 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Baskette, Billy," accessed April 28, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106782.

Baskette, Billy. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 28, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106782.

"Baskette, Billy." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 28 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106782

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