Ray McKinley
Ray McKinley (June 18, 1910 –May 7, 1995) was an American jazz drummer, sin… Read Full Bio ↴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 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. 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.
In 1956, capitalizing on the popularity of The Glenn Miller Story movie with James Stewart, McKinley was chosen to be the leader of the revived Glenn Miller band, which he led until 1966. He co-hosted (with former Air Force band vocalist Johnny Desmond) a 13-week CBS-TV summer series with the band on CBS-TV in 1961.
Ray McKinley's last recording session was in 1977 for Chirascuro records.
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 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. 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.
In 1956, capitalizing on the popularity of The Glenn Miller Story movie with James Stewart, McKinley was chosen to be the leader of the revived Glenn Miller band, which he led until 1966. He co-hosted (with former Air Force band vocalist Johnny Desmond) a 13-week CBS-TV summer series with the band on CBS-TV in 1961.
Ray McKinley's last recording session was in 1977 for Chirascuro records.
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Ray McKinley Lyrics
After I Say I'm Sorry I don't know why, I made you cry I'm sorry sweetheart…
Blue Moon Blue moon you saw me standing alone Without a dream in…
Don't Be That Way / Theme Don't cry, Oh honey please don't be that way Clouds in…
Down the Road a Piece If you want to hear some Boogie, then I know…
Down The Road A-Piece If you want to hear some Boogie, then I know…
Down The Road Apiece If you want to hear some Boogie, then I know…
Flaggin The Train To Tuscaloosa Flaggin′ the train to Tuscaloosa Flaggin' the train that′s g…
How High The Moon Somewhere there's music How faint the tune Somewhere there's…
It's Only A Paper Moon Say, it's only a paper moon Sailing over a cardboard sea But…
Laura Laura is the face in the misty lights. Footsteps that you…
Serenade In Blue When I hear that Serenade in blue I'm somewhere in another…
st louis blues You came a long way from St. Louis, you climbed…
Stardust And now the purple dusk of twilight time Steals across the…
Stars Fell On Alabama You came a long way from St. Louis, you climbed…
The Love Bug Will Bite You The love bug will bite you If you don't watch…
The Richest Man In The Cemetery Blue moon you saw me standing alone Without a dream in…
There'll Be A Hot Time In The Town Of Berlin Tonight There'll be a hot time in the town of Berlin When…
You Came A Long Way From St Louis You came a long way from St. Louis, you climbed…
You Came a Long Way from St. Louis You came a long way from St. Louis, you climbed…