Bassett Family Association Database

Gassie Whitley

Female 1908 - 1989  (80 years)


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  • Name Gassie Whitley 
    Born 25 Aug 1908  Randolph Co., Alabama Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Female 
    Died Mar 1989 
    Notes 
    • Dewey & Gassie Bassett

      By the late 1930's most real old time or mountain music had disappeared from the commercial scene. However, there were still several groups who managed either to continue recording or to get on record, who played old time or traditionally derived music. One of the better groups that began to make records during the late 30's was the McClendon Brothers & Georgia Dell, who real name was Adelle, was a sister of Dewey Bassett of Randolph County, Alabama. The McClendons got the Bassetts - Dewey and wife Gassie - a recording date with Bluebird in 1938 and some very enjoyable performances came from that session and another in 1940. Eleven records were issued altogether, according to Mr. Bassett, which featured duets by this husband-and-wife team with an occosional solo by Dewey and lead guitar on severes sides by his younger brother, Jesse Bassett. The recordings suffered musically from Jesse having an arm which had been broken earlier and was never properly set and grew back crooked. Also, Jesse instructed Dewey to play rhythm or sock guitar instead of the open-string style he was used to. It is strange that he took his advice, since he stated that he never thought it sounded good in the first place!
      The following data come from an interview I made with Dewey and Gassie Bassett on November 8, 1963, at their home near Roanoke, Ala. Dewey Bassett was born in Randolph County, Ala., in 1905 and began playing guitar in the late '20s, at about the age of 20. His father came from Meridian, Miss. Gassie Whitley was born in Randolph County too. They were married in 1924, and began singing together shortly thereafter. Dewey played on radio stations in LaGrange, Columbus and Augustus, Ga., with the McClendon Brothers, the Sunset Entertainers, and appeared on radio with Gid Tanner's Skillit-Lickers a few times. Also with Charlie Mitchell in Augusta. (I assume this is the artist on the Conqueror label.) Their first recording session was held in Rock Hill, S.C., and second in Atlanta at the famous Kimball Hotel. They met Charlie Monroe and Maimer's Mountaineers at the Rock Hill session.
      At this point in the interview Dewey talked about the McClendons, then sang "He's All I Need" with Martin guitar in the key of D. Dewey and Gassie only sang gospel songs during the last few years, attending many gospel singings and meetings. Dewey either wrote or rearranged most of the songs they recorded. None can be considered purely traditional.
      Dewey Bassett died early in 1972.
      By Robert E. Nobley (Originally published in Old Time Music Magazine No. 7).


    Person ID P1619  13B RIchard William Bassett of Georgia
    Last Modified 17 Sep 2012 

    Family William M. Dewey Bassett,   b. 29 Aug 1905, Alabama, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 18 Feb 1972, Wedowee, Randolph County, Alabama, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 66 years) 
    Children 
     1. William Vernon "Bill" Bassett,   b. 13 July 1930, LaGrange, Troup Co., Georgia Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 2 July 2001, Ashland, Clay, Alabama, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 70 years)  [Natural]
    Family ID F439  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart