Curt Massey

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

Curt Massey
Curt Massey, c. 1945
Born
Curt Massey

(1910-05-03)May 3, 1910
Midland, Texas
DiedOctober 21, 1991(1991-10-21) (aged 81)
Rancho Mirage, California
NationalityAmerican
OccupationSinger, musician
Spouse(s)Edythe
ChildrenStephen and David
Parent(s)Mr. and Mrs. Henry Massey

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.[3] He went on to study music at the Horner Conservatory of Music in Kansas City.[4]

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;[5] 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.[6]

Other programs on which Massey was featured included Nash-Kelvinator's Musical Hits,[7] Sheaffer World Parade,[8] Romance in Rhythm,[9] Twilight Trail,[10] The Friday Night Show,[11] The Andrews Sisters Program,[6]:33 Avalon Time,[6]:43 KMBC Brush Creek Follies,[6]:101 Holiday for Music,[6]:312 Plantation Jubilee,[6]:525 and Plantation Party.[12] On January 2, 1956, Massey debuted on KNX radio in Los Angeles with a 25-minute weeknight program. It lasted three months.[13]

In some cases, Massey arranged music for programs in addition to singing and playing instruments.[14]

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.[15] Massey also wrote and sang the theme song for the television series Petticoat Junction.[16]

Recognition

In 1961, Massey received an Emmy Award "for his career in radio and television."[16]

Personal life

Massey and his wife, Edythe, had two sons, Stephen and David.[4]

Death

Massey died October 21, 1991, at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, California. He was 81.[3]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1936 The Hills of Old Wyomin' Himself as a Westerners Band Member Short film directed by Dave Fleischer.
1937 Twilight on the Trail Himself as a Member of The Westerners Band
1938 Love Goes West Himself as a Member of The Westerners Band
  • Short film directed by Robert Hall.
  • Uncredited
Where the Buffalo Roam Fiddle Player

Television
Year Title Role Notes
1963 The Beverly Hillbillies Violinist Episode: "The Garden Party" (S 2:Ep 11)
1971 Officer Massey Episode: "Jethro Returns: (S 9:Ep 24)

Screenplay credits
Year Title Notes
1966 Petticoat Junction Episode: "Kate Grounds Selma Plout" (S 4:Ep 7)

Television composer credits
Year Title Notes
1963–70 Petticoat Junction 199 episodes
1964–71 The Beverly Hillbillies 222 episodes

Soundtrack credits
Year Title Role Notes
1936 The Hills of Old Wyomin' Member of The Westerners Band
1937 Twilight on the Trail Member of The Westerners Band
1944 Swing in the Saddle Writer
  • Dude Cowboy
  • Uncredited
1948 The Strawberry Roan The Angel Song (When the Angels turn the lights on in Heaven)

Partial discography

References
  1. DeLong, Thomas A. (1996). Radio Stars: An Illustrated Biographical Dictionary of 953 Performers, 1920 through 1960. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-2834-2. Pp. 185-186.
  2. "Mabie, Victoria Louise Massey". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  3. "Singer Curt Massey dead at 81". California, San Bernardino. The San Bernardino County Sun. October 22, 1991. p. 35.
  4. Massey, Edythe (April 1952). "Curt Massey -- the MAN in my life" (PDF). Radio-TV Mirror. 37 (5): 38–39, 101. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  5. Terrace, Vincent (1981), Radio's Golden Years: The Encyclopedia of Radio Programs 1930-1960. A.S. Barnes & Company, Inc. ISBN 0-498-02393-1. P. 67.
  6. Sies, Luther F. (2014). Encyclopedia of American Radio, 1920-1960, 2nd Edition, Volume 1. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-5149-4. Pp. 18, 173.
  7. "(Kelvinator advertisement)". Life. August 5, 1946. p. 2. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  8. "Four-Way Pick-Up". Billboard. February 19, 1944. p. 11. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  9. "(radio listing)". New York, Brooklyn. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. December 27, 1939. p. 22. Retrieved February 16, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. "Her Songs Heard On Western Trail". Oregon, Roseburg. The News-Review. October 16, 1939. p. 3. Retrieved February 16, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. "Radio Highlights". Illinois, Freeport. Freeport Journal-Standard. September 13, 1940. p. 7. Retrieved February 16, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. "Plantation Party to Feature Girls". Utah, Ogden. The Ogden Standard-Examiner. May 19, 1939. p. 12. Retrieved February 16, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. Cox, Jim. Musicmakers of Network Radio: 24 Entertainers, 1926-1962. McFarland. p. 309. ISBN 978-0-7864-8962-6. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  14. "Song Wrangler". Oregon, Roseburg. The News-Review. October 31, 1939. p. 3. Retrieved February 16, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. Ames, Walter (October 29, 1956). "Tucker Has Fun as Crunch; Massey and Crew Back on TV". The Los Angeles Times. California, Los Angeles. p. Part II - P 10. Retrieved April 21, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. "Curt Massey". Orlando Sentinel. October 23, 1991. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  17. "Where the Buffalo Roam]". TCM database. Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
  18. "Massey on MBS Net" (PDF). Billboard. January 20, 1945. p. 63. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  19. "Honor Roll of Hits" (PDF). Billboard. October 5, 1946. p. 20. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
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