Biography
Skeets McDonald, born Enos William McDonald on October 1, 1915, in Greenway, Arkansas, was a prominent American country and rockabilly musician whose career flourished in the 1950s and 1960s. Growing up as the youngest of seven children in a cotton-picking family, he earned his nickname 'Skeets' from his childhood mispronunciation of 'mosquitoes.' In the early 1930s, he followed his brother to Detroit, Michigan, where he began performing with the Lonesome Cowboys in 1935 and soon formed his own band, playing in local clubs and on radio in Flint and Pontiac.
Drafted into the Army in 1943, McDonald served in North Africa and the Far East during World War II, earning a Bronze Star. After the war, he returned to Michigan and began recording for Fortune Records in 1950 with Johnnie White and his Rough Riders, also releasing music under the name Skeets Saunders for London and Mercury Records. In 1951, McDonald moved to Los Angeles, becoming a regular on Cliffie Stone's 'Hometown Jamboree' and later 'Town Hall Party.' Signed by Capitol Records as their answer to Lefty Frizzell, he was encouraged to focus on honky tonk and country, despite his interest in rockabilly. His 1952 hit 'Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes' topped the country charts for 18 weeks, and he continued recording prolifically, later signing with Columbia and recording in Nashville with top session musicians.
McDonald’s style was rooted in honky tonk, but he also experimented with rockabilly, helping to bridge the gap between country and early rock and roll. Though not as widely recognized as some contemporaries, his influence persisted through his recordings, television appearances, and live performances across the U.S. He died in Los Angeles on March 31, 1968, leaving behind a legacy as a dedicated performer who contributed significantly to the evolution of country music.
Fun Facts
- Skeets McDonald earned his nickname as a child by calling mosquitoes 'skeets.'
- He served in World War II, earning a Bronze Star for his service in North Africa and the Far East.
- His biggest hit, 'Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes,' spent 18 weeks at No. 1 on the country charts in 1952.
- He was a regular on influential country TV shows like 'Hometown Jamboree' and 'Town Hall Party' in Los Angeles.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Lefty Frizzell - Stylistic influence; Capitol Records positioned McDonald as their answer to Frizzell, shaping his honky tonk approach. (General honky tonk repertoire) [1950s]
Key Collaborators
- Johnnie White and his Rough Riders - Early recording collaborator; McDonald recorded his first tracks with this group. (Fortune Records singles (1950)) [1950]
- Ray Price - Harmony vocals; Price sang harmony on McDonald's 'Same Old Town' during Columbia sessions. ('Same Old Town' (Columbia sessions)) [early 1960s]
- Grady Martin, Harold Bradley, Ray Edenton, Walter Haynes, Joe Zinkan, Floyd Cramer - Session musicians for McDonald's Nashville recordings, contributing to his 'Ray Price sound.' (Columbia Records sessions) [1962]
Artists Influenced
- Rockabilly and honky tonk revivalists - McDonald's blending of country and rockabilly styles influenced later generations of country and rockabilly musicians. (General influence, cited in retrospectives and genre histories) [1970s–present]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes Vol.4 1949-1963 | 2015-07-01 | Album |
| Call Me Skeets! | 1964 | Album |
| Goin' Steady with the Blues | 1958-01-01 | Album |
| Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes Vol.2 1949-1963 | 2015-07-01 | Album |
| Masterpieces Presents Skeets McDonald: Hits & Rarities, Vol. 2 (52 Country Songs) | 2014-10-07 | Album |
| Goin' Steady | 2025-09-26 | Album |
| Goin' Steady With The Blues | 2019-01-01 | Album |
| Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes Vol.3 1949-1963 | 2015-07-01 | Album |
| Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes Vol.1 1949-1963 | 2015-07-01 | Album |
| Baby I'm Countin' | 2015-02-06 | Album |
| Masterpieces Presents Skeets McDonald: Hits & Rarities, Vol. 1 (52 Country Songs) | 2014-10-07 | Album |
| This Old Broken Heart | 2014-04-28 | Album |
| The Country Collection 1950-1962 | 2013-10-19 | Album |
| Skeets McDonald, Vol. 7 | 2013-01-17 | Album |
| Skeets McDonald, Vol. 6 | 2013-01-16 | Album |
Top Tracks
- This Old Heart (Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes Vol.4 1949-1963)
- This Old Broken Heart (Call Me Skeets!)
- Same Old Town (Call Me Skeets!)
- You Oughta See Grandma Roch (Goin' Steady with the Blues)
- The Tattooed Lady (feat. Johnny White and His Rhythm Riders) (Goin' Steady with the Blues)
- Dear John (I've Sent Your Saddle Home) (Call Me Skeets!)
- You Ought a See Grandma Rock
- You Oughta See Grandma Rock
- Call Me Mr. Brown (Call Me Skeets!)
- You Warned Me (Call Me Skeets!)
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
skeets mcdonald has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 10, 2025 | 20:34 | fort worth jail | Blues and R&Bw/ Gentilly Jr. |