Louise Massey (born Victoria Louise Massey; 10 August 1902 – 20 June 1983), American singer and songwriter born in Midland, Texas. The Massey family left Texas while Louise Massey was very young and she grew up near Roswell in Lincoln County, New Mexico. In 1918, Louise's father, Henry Massey, started a band that featured himself and three of his eight children singing and playing musical instruments.[1] Most of the children were able to play several instruments while dressed in “elaborate cowboy outfits as their stage attire,” Louise played piano and sang.[2] The Masseys' music career began in 1920s, when they played and sang at local shows and church socials.[3] At the age of 15, Louise married Milton Mabie, who also joined the group.[3]
Louise Massey | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Victoria Louise Massey August 10, 1902 |
| Died | June 20, 1983 San Angelo, Texas |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Victoria Louise Massey Mabie |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Years active | 1918–1950 |
| Known for | Western music |
| Spouse | Milt Mabie |
In 1930, the quintet known as The Westerners included Louise, Curt and Allen Massey, Milton Mabie, and Larry Wellington, who had replaced Henry Massey.[4] Louise, with her flamboyant Spanish-style costumes, became the focal point of the act and received lead billing.[3] The Westerners' first radio performance was on KMBC in Kansas City. They moved to WLS Radio in Chicago in 1933. In 1934, the song "When the White Azaleas Start Blooming" was released by the band and sold three million copies.[5] In 1936, they moved to New York, where they continued their radio work on NBC. In 1938, Louise Massey and the Westerners appeared in the Tex Ritter film Where the Buffalo Roam. The group returned to WLS Radio in 1939 and did a morning broadcast on NBC called Reveille Roundup.[6]
In the early 1940s, the Westerners were "well known for numerous radio appearances" and were appearing on Plantation Party broadcasts three nights a week.[4] Louise Massey recorded for several record labels including Vocalion Records, OKeh Records, and Conqueror Records.
Massey died in San Angelo, Texas.
Massey's house in Roswell is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[7]
Filmography
edit- Twilight on the Trail, 1937
- Love Goes West, 1938
- Where the Buffalo Roam 1938
References
edit- ^ "Mabie, Victoria Louise Massey". Texas State Historical Association. 2010-06-15. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
- ^ "The 1934 WLS Family Album: The Westerners". www.richsamuels.com. Retrieved 2016-06-08.
- ^ a b c "Louise Massey & Her Westerners | Biography & History | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-06-08.
- ^ a b "President Will Speak On Labor Day Broadcast". The Fresno Bee. The Fresno Bee The Republican. August 31, 1941. p. 10. Retrieved March 28, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ ROBIN, DUTTON (2010-06-15). "MABIE, VICTORIA LOUISE MASSEY". tshaonline.org. Retrieved 2016-06-08.
- ^ "The 1934 WLS Family Album: The Westerners". www.richsamuels.com. Retrieved 2016-06-08.
- ^ "National Register of Historic Places Inventory—Nomination Form: Louise Massey House". National Park Service. Retrieved April 7, 2016.
