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Skeets McDonald

Enos William McDonald (October 1, 1915–March 31, 1968), better known as Skeets McDonald, was an American country and rockabilly musician popular during the 1950s and 60s. Best known for the Slim Willet-penned song "Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes", McDonald was a devoted honky tonk singer and songwriter whose work helped to bridge the gap between country and rock and roll.

Skeets McDonald
Background information
Birth nameEnos William McDonald
Also known asSkeets McDonald
Skeets Saunders
Born(1915-10-01)October 1, 1915
OriginGreenway, Arkansas, U.S.
DiedMarch 31, 1968(1968-03-31) (aged 52)
Los Angeles, California
Genrescountry, honky tonk, rockabilly
Occupation(s)singer, songwriter
Instrument(s)guitar
Years active1935 – 1968
LabelsFortune
London
Mercury
Capitol
Columbia Uni Records ("It's Genuine")

Biography edit

McDonald was born on October 1, 1915, in Greenway, Arkansas. He was the youngest of his parents' seven children; his gained his nickname for calling mosquitoes "skeets" as a child. When his older brother moved to Detroit, Michigan, the early 1930s, McDonald followed; and joined his first band, the Lonesome Cowboys, in 1935. He later formed his own band and played local clubs and on radio in Flint and Pontiac.[1]

McDonald was drafted in 1943 and was stationed in North Africa and the Far East during World War II, earning a Bronze Star.[2] On discharge, he returned to radio and television work in Dearborn, Michigan. He made his first recordings for Fortune Records in 1950 with Johnnie White and his Rough Riders, and cut records for London and Mercury Records as Skeets Saunders.

In 1951, McDonald moved to Los Angeles, California, where he became a regular on Cliffie Stone's Hometown Jamboree and later appeared on Town Hall Party. He was soon signed by Capitol Records, which viewed him as its answer to Columbia Records' Lefty Frizzell and demanded he continue releasing country songs rather than the rockabilly sound he experimented with since the war.[1] He recorded more than 80 numbers for the label, including his 1952 smash country hit, "Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes" (No. 1 for 18 weeks).[3] In the late 1950s, he appeared on Ozark Jubilee and continued recording for Capitol; his last release for the label was the album, The Country's Best.

McDonald signed with Columbia in 1959 and spent the decade there, recording some excellent West Coast hillbilly, as well as some forays into the rockabilly. He employed young guitar-whiz Eddie Cochran to back him in the studio for "You Oughta See Grandma Rock" and "Heart Breaking Mama". Although they made little impact on the charts at the time, they are now considered rockabilly classics.[1]

He scored several hits on the Billboard country chart, including "This Old Heart" (1960, No. 21), "Call Me Mr. Brown" (1963, No. 9), "Big Chief Buffalo Nickel (Desert Blues)" (1966, No. 29), and "Mabel" (1967, No. 28).[4] He also appeared on the Grand Ole Opry and the Big D Jamboree in Dallas, Texas. His songs included "I'll Make Believe", "Big Family Trouble", "I Need Your Love" and "The Echo of Your Footsteps". In 1964, he released the album Call Me Skeets!.

McDonald made several film appearances, including Saddle Pals with Johnny Mack Brown, Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town (1950), The Glenn Miller Story (1954) and Hud (1963),[1] singing "Driftwood on the River" with Janet McBride.

In later years, McDonald moved his style more towards rock and roll; but refused to move far from the tearjerking songs which made his name. When told by reviewers he "belonged to another age," he took it as a compliment to his dedication.[1]

McDonald died from a heart attack on March 31, 1968, in Los Angeles.

Discography edit

Albums edit

Year Album Label
1958 Goin' Steady with the Blues Capitol
1959 The Country's Best
1962 Our Best to You
1964 Call Me Skeets Columbia
1967 Skeets Sears
1969 Tattooed Lady and Other Songs Fortune

Singles edit

Year Single US Country
1952 "Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes" 1
1960 "This Old Heart" 21
1963 "Call Me Mr. Brown" 9
1965 "Big Chief Buffalo Nickel (Desert Blues)" 29
1967 "Mabel" 28

Notes edit

  1. ^ a b c d e "Skeets McDonald". Oldies.com. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
  2. ^ Wolfe, Charles K. (2001). "Classic Country: Legends of Country Music". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. ^ Skeets McDonald Biography, Allmusic
  4. ^ Billboard Singles, Allmusic.com

References edit

  • "Skeets McDonald". Oldies.com. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
  • Wolfe, Charles K. (2001). "Classic Country: Legends of Country Music". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help).

External links edit

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Enos William McDonald October 1 1915 March 31 1968 better known as Skeets McDonald was an American country and rockabilly musician popular during the 1950s and 60s Best known for the Slim Willet penned song Don t Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes McDonald was a devoted honky tonk singer and songwriter whose work helped to bridge the gap between country and rock and roll Skeets McDonaldBackground informationBirth nameEnos William McDonaldAlso known asSkeets McDonaldSkeets SaundersBorn 1915 10 01 October 1 1915OriginGreenway Arkansas U S DiedMarch 31 1968 1968 03 31 aged 52 Los Angeles CaliforniaGenrescountry honky tonk rockabillyOccupation s singer songwriterInstrument s guitarYears active1935 1968LabelsFortuneLondonMercuryCapitolColumbia Uni Records It s Genuine Contents 1 Biography 2 Discography 2 1 Albums 2 2 Singles 3 Notes 4 References 5 External linksBiography editMcDonald was born on October 1 1915 in Greenway Arkansas He was the youngest of his parents seven children his gained his nickname for calling mosquitoes skeets as a child When his older brother moved to Detroit Michigan the early 1930s McDonald followed and joined his first band the Lonesome Cowboys in 1935 He later formed his own band and played local clubs and on radio in Flint and Pontiac 1 McDonald was drafted in 1943 and was stationed in North Africa and the Far East during World War II earning a Bronze Star 2 On discharge he returned to radio and television work in Dearborn Michigan He made his first recordings for Fortune Records in 1950 with Johnnie White and his Rough Riders and cut records for London and Mercury Records as Skeets Saunders In 1951 McDonald moved to Los Angeles California where he became a regular on Cliffie Stone s Hometown Jamboree and later appeared on Town Hall Party He was soon signed by Capitol Records which viewed him as its answer to Columbia Records Lefty Frizzell and demanded he continue releasing country songs rather than the rockabilly sound he experimented with since the war 1 He recorded more than 80 numbers for the label including his 1952 smash country hit Don t Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes No 1 for 18 weeks 3 In the late 1950s he appeared on Ozark Jubilee and continued recording for Capitol his last release for the label was the album The Country s Best McDonald signed with Columbia in 1959 and spent the decade there recording some excellent West Coast hillbilly as well as some forays into the rockabilly He employed young guitar whiz Eddie Cochran to back him in the studio for You Oughta See Grandma Rock and Heart Breaking Mama Although they made little impact on the charts at the time they are now considered rockabilly classics 1 He scored several hits on the Billboard country chart including This Old Heart 1960 No 21 Call Me Mr Brown 1963 No 9 Big Chief Buffalo Nickel Desert Blues 1966 No 29 and Mabel 1967 No 28 4 He also appeared on the Grand Ole Opry and the Big D Jamboree in Dallas Texas His songs included I ll Make Believe Big Family Trouble I Need Your Love and The Echo of Your Footsteps In 1964 he released the album Call Me Skeets McDonald made several film appearances including Saddle Pals with Johnny Mack Brown Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town 1950 The Glenn Miller Story 1954 and Hud 1963 1 singing Driftwood on the River with Janet McBride In later years McDonald moved his style more towards rock and roll but refused to move far from the tearjerking songs which made his name When told by reviewers he belonged to another age he took it as a compliment to his dedication 1 McDonald died from a heart attack on March 31 1968 in Los Angeles Discography editAlbums edit Year Album Label 1958 Goin Steady with the Blues Capitol 1959 The Country s Best 1962 Our Best to You 1964 Call Me Skeets Columbia 1967 Skeets Sears 1969 Tattooed Lady and Other Songs Fortune Singles edit Year Single US Country 1952 Don t Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes 1 1960 This Old Heart 21 1963 Call Me Mr Brown 9 1965 Big Chief Buffalo Nickel Desert Blues 29 1967 Mabel 28Notes edit a b c d e Skeets McDonald Oldies com Retrieved 2009 04 11 Wolfe Charles K 2001 Classic Country Legends of Country Music a href Template Cite journal html title Template Cite journal cite journal a Cite journal requires journal help Skeets McDonald Biography Allmusic Billboard Singles Allmusic comReferences edit Skeets McDonald Oldies com Retrieved 2009 04 11 Wolfe Charles K 2001 Classic Country Legends of Country Music a href Template Cite journal html title Template Cite journal cite journal a Cite journal requires journal help External links edit nbsp Biography portal Skeets McDonald at Find a Grave Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Skeets McDonald amp oldid 1177561324, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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