Ray McKinley

Ray McKinley
William P. Gottlieb's photograph of McKinley at the Hotel Commodore, New York, c. April 1946
Background information
Birth name	Raymond McKinley
Also known as	"Eight Beat Mac", "Mac"
Born	(1910-06-18)June 18, 1910 Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
Died	May 7, 1995(1995-05-07) (aged 84)
Occupation(s)	Bandleader
Instruments	Drums
Years active	1926–1980s

Ray McKinley (June 18, 1910 – May 7, 1995) was an American jazz drummer, singer, and bandleader.

Early career

McKinley started 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.

After Dorsey brothers

The Dorsey brothers split in 1935.^[1] McKinley remained 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^[2] 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 band that featured a book of original material by legendary arranger Eddie Sauter (along with a helping of novelty vocals by the leader). Sam Butera, later of the back-up band for Louis Prima was also a member.^[3] But with the business in decline, by 1950 that band was history and McKinley began evolving into a part-time leader and sometime radio and TV personality. McKinley and Bradley split in 1942^[4] 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 band that featured a book of original material by legendary arranger Eddie Sauter (along with a helping of novelty vocals by the leader). Sam Butera, later of the back-up band for Louis Prima was also a member.^{[5] [6]} Ray McKinley's last recording session was in 1977 for Chirascuro records.

References

1. Scott Yanow (2011). "The Dorsey Brothers | AllMusic". allmusic.com. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
2. "Ray wanted emphasis on their boogie-woogie novelties and jazz, Will more on the ballads." See George T. Simon, Simon Says: The Sights and Sounds of the Big Band Era, Galahad Books, 1971, p. 148.
3. "Drummerworld: Ray McKinley"
4. "Ray wanted emphasis on their boogie-woogie novelties and jazz, Will more on the ballads." See George T. Simon, Simon Says: The Sights and Sounds of the Big Band Era, Galahad Books, 1971, p. 148.
5. "Drummerworld: Ray McKinley"
6. ""Swing Music Net Biography Ray McKinley"". Archived from the original on 2022-02-03. Retrieved 2022-04-12.

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