Curt Massey

Early years

Massey was born in Midland, Texas. 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. 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.

Radio

Massey had two self-titled music-variety programs. Curt Massey Time was on CBS beginning in 1943; 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.

Other programs on which Massey was featured included Nash-Kelvinator's Musical Hits, Sheaffer World Parade, Romance in Rhythm, Twilight Trail, The Friday Night Show, The Andrews Sisters Program,^:33 Avalon Time,^:43 KMBC Brush Creek Follies,^:101 Holiday for Music,^:312 Plantation Jubilee,^:525 and Plantation Party.

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

Television

Massey 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."

Personal life

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

Death

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

Partial discography