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.[6]
"The Perfect Dream", lyrics & music by Baskette & Theo Alban (né Theophilus Lewis Alban; 1897–1951) (1933)
OCLC498628674
Bobbins Music Corp., New York
"Honolulu Sweetheart", lyrics & music by Baskette (1927)
Billy Baskette Music Co., New York
"Old Shoes", lyrics & music by Baskette (1927) ; Helmy Kresa arranged for band
OCLC893482973
Publisher unknown
"Forever and Ever and Ever", lyrics & music by
Jesse Crawford, Baskette, & Bartley Costello (1929)
OCLC497422203
Mason Music Company, New York
"The Blue Eagle Is Flying High", lyrics & music by Baskette & Theo Alban (né Theophilus Lewis Alban; 1897–1951) (1933)
Joe Davis, Inc., New York (Joseph Morton Davis; 1896–1978)
"Carolina Lullaby", words and music by Cecelia G. Reeker (née Huenergardt; 1897–1981),
Ed Rose, & Baskette (1933)
OCLC497309474,
671311436
Mort Beck Music Co.
"Whistlin' Joe From Kokomo", lyrics & music by Baskette, Harry Edelheit, & Arthur Berman (1933)
OCLC497328130
† "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]
References
^"Billy Basket, 64, Pianist, Songwriter", The New York Times, November 11, 1949
^The Heritage Encyclopedia of Band Music, Composers and Their Music, Supplement, by William H. Rehrig,
Westerville, Ohio: Integrity Press, 1996
OCLC24606813
^
abShearer, Benjamin F. (2007). Home front heroes : a biographical dictionary of Americans during wartime. Greenwood Press. p. 61.
ISBN978-0313334207.
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.[6]
"The Perfect Dream", lyrics & music by Baskette & Theo Alban (né Theophilus Lewis Alban; 1897–1951) (1933)
OCLC498628674
Bobbins Music Corp., New York
"Honolulu Sweetheart", lyrics & music by Baskette (1927)
Billy Baskette Music Co., New York
"Old Shoes", lyrics & music by Baskette (1927) ; Helmy Kresa arranged for band
OCLC893482973
Publisher unknown
"Forever and Ever and Ever", lyrics & music by
Jesse Crawford, Baskette, & Bartley Costello (1929)
OCLC497422203
Mason Music Company, New York
"The Blue Eagle Is Flying High", lyrics & music by Baskette & Theo Alban (né Theophilus Lewis Alban; 1897–1951) (1933)
Joe Davis, Inc., New York (Joseph Morton Davis; 1896–1978)
"Carolina Lullaby", words and music by Cecelia G. Reeker (née Huenergardt; 1897–1981),
Ed Rose, & Baskette (1933)
OCLC497309474,
671311436
Mort Beck Music Co.
"Whistlin' Joe From Kokomo", lyrics & music by Baskette, Harry Edelheit, & Arthur Berman (1933)
OCLC497328130
† "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]
References
^"Billy Basket, 64, Pianist, Songwriter", The New York Times, November 11, 1949
^The Heritage Encyclopedia of Band Music, Composers and Their Music, Supplement, by William H. Rehrig,
Westerville, Ohio: Integrity Press, 1996
OCLC24606813
^
abShearer, Benjamin F. (2007). Home front heroes : a biographical dictionary of Americans during wartime. Greenwood Press. p. 61.
ISBN978-0313334207.