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Artist
Ray McKinley
12+ albums
swingjazzboogie woogiewest coastBig Band
about
Ray McKinley (June 18, 1910 –May 7, 1995) was an American jazz drummer, singer, and bandleader. McKinley got his start working with local bands in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, before joining Smith Ballew in 1929, when he met Glenn Miller. The two formed a friendship that lasted from 1929 until Miller's death in 1944. McKinley and Miller joined the Dorsey Brothers in 1934. Miller left for Ray Noble in December 1934, while McKinley remained. The Dorsey brothers split in 1935, with McKinley remaining with Jimmy Dorsey until 1939, when he joined Will Bradley, becoming co-leader. McKinley's biggest hit with Bradley, as a singer, was "Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar", which he recorded early in the year 1940 (and for which he got partial songwriting credit under his wife's maiden name Eleanore Sheehy). McKinley is referred to as "Eight Beat Mack" in the lyrics to the song "Down the Road a Piece," which he recorded as a trio with Will Bradley and Freddie Slack in 1940. This was the earliest recording of the song, which was written specifically for Bradley's band by Don Raye. McKinley and Bradley split in 1942 and McKinley formed his own band, which recorded for Capitol Records. The McKinley band was short-lived. When McKinley broke up the band, he joined Glenn Miller's Army Air Force band, which he co-led with arranger Jerry Gray after Miller's disappearance in December 1944. Upon being discharged at the end of the following year, McKinley formed an excellent, remarkably modern big
top songs
albums
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Swing Collection - Vol.3
The Class Of '49
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The Very Best Of
The New Glenn Miller Orchestra
Howdy Friends
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101 Big Bands Swing
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World War II Golden Memories
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Ray McKinley And His Orchestra 1946-49
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Top 70 Classics - The Very Best of Ray McKinley
Blue Skies
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Swing Collection
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That Devilin' Tune - a Jazz History, 1895-1950 Volume 4 (Disc 3)