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 1-25 of 131 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor B-19369 10-in. 3/14/1917 Hawaiian butterfly Sterling Trio Male vocal trio, with violin, cello, and orchestra composer  
Victor C-19611 12-in. 4/20/1917 Hawaiian butterfly Victor Military Band Band composer  
Victor B-20317 10-in. 7/3/1917 Goodbye Broadway, hello France American Quartet Male vocal quartet, with orchestra composer  
Victor C-20381 12-in. 7/10/1917 Goodbye Broadway, hello France! Conway's Band Band composer  
Victor B-20808 10-in. 9/29/1917 Good-bye Broadway, hello France Pietro Accordion solo composer  
Victor B-21445 10-in. 2/12/1918 Each stitch is a thought of you, dear Henry Burr Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Victor B-22086 10-in. 8/12/1918 Camp songs medley, part 1 National Camps Song Leaders Vocal chorus, with cornet and piano composer  
Victor B-23203 10-in. 8/12/1919 Jerry All Star Trio Instrumental trio composer  
Victor B-23484 10-in. 11/20/1919 I'll dance my way right back to Dixieland Esther Walker Female vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Victor B-27975 10-in. 5/25/1923 Waitin' for the evenin' mail (sitting on the inside, lookin' at the outside) Eubie Blake ; Noble Sissle Male vocal solo, with piano composer  
Victor B-28220 10-in. 6/26/1923 Waitin' for the evenin' mail (sittin' on the inside, lookin' at the outside) Tennessee Ten Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor B-28488 10-in. 9/18/1923 Nobody else can love me like my old tomato can Billy Murray Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Victor B-31158 10-in. 11/10/1924 Mean Cicero blues Duncan Sisters Female vocal duet, with piano songwriter  
Victor B-31161 10-in. 11/11/1924 Heart broken strain Benson Orchestra of Chicago ; Don Bestor Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor BVE-34737 10-in. 3/23/1926 Talkin' to the moon Pennsylvanians ; Fred Waring Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor BVE-35352 10-in. 4/28/1926 Talking to the moon Jack Smith Male vocal solo, with piano (self-accompaniment) composer  
Victor BVE-35609 10-in. 5/17/1926 Talking to the moon The Revelers Male vocal quartet, with piano composer  
Victor BVE-37584 10-in. 1/31/1927 Hoosier sweetheart Jean Goldkette Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor BVE-37585 10-in. 2/1/1927 Hoosier sweetheart (Say who) Smith Brothers Male vocal duet, with piano composer  
Victor BVE-38767 10-in. 5/20/1927 I could waltz on forever (With you sweetheart) The Troubadours Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Victor BVE-49025 10-in. 12/28/1928 Dream train Nathaniel Shilkret ; Victor Orchestra Orchestra, with male vocal duet composer  
Victor BVE-55601 10-in. 7/9/1929 That's when I learned to love you Connecticut Yankees ; Rudy Vallée Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Victor BSHQ-73158 10-in. 8/4/1932 Same old moon (Same old sky) James Harkins ; Sid Peltyn Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Victor BS-73351 10-in. 9/1/1932 Mighty river Hoagy Carmichael Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist, composer  
Victor BS-75477 10-in. 4/26/1933 Mighty river Louis Armstrong Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer, lyricist  
(Results 1-25 of 131 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Baskette, Billy," accessed March 29, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106782.

Baskette, Billy. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 29, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106782.

"Baskette, Billy." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 29 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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