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Vass Family
WLS National Barn Dance

About the Group

About The Group

James and Hallie (Covington) Vass had seven children who took their singing together at home to doing it on the radio. They were married in Greenwood, SC in 1907 in a ceremony presided over by her father, the Rev. J. E. Covington. Their father began as a professor of Latin and Greek in Anderson High School and became a history professor at Furman University.

A WLS Stand-By magazine cover story in June 1938 (which was also the last issue of the magazine) tells readers that Sally, Virginia and Frank were featured as a vocal trio with the bands of Paul Whiteman and Ben Bernie. Sally, Virginia and Louisa had sung with Kay Thompson's mixed choir on several network radio programs.

Timeline and Trivia Notes

Group Members:

  • James Leland Vass (B: June 23, 1908 — November 3, 1993)
  • Harriet Vass League(B: March 19, 1910 — December 10, 1997)
  • Frank Vass (B: April 16, 1911 — D: April 5, 1988)
  • Sally Vass Waters(B: October 7, 1912 — D: November 10, 1990)
  • Virginia Vass Scott (B: August 20, 1915 — D: June 22, 2013)
  • Louisa Vass (B: May 17, 1919 — D: October 2, 2000)
  • Emily Vass Noble (B: September 10, 1922 — D: January 21, 2015)

Credits & Sources

  • Vass Family Began Their Singing Career At Home; June 25, 1938; WLS Stand-By; Prairie Farmer; Chicago, IL

Recordings (78rpm/45rpm)

 
Decca
Rec. No. Side Song Title
  5425 A Paper Of Pins
  5425 B Jimmie Randall
  5432 A Soldier Wont You Marry Me
  5432 B Deep Sea Blues