Ray McKinley b. June 18, 1910 Texas, d. May 7, 1995, Largo, FL

Ray McKinley got his start working with local bands in the Dallas-Ft Worth area. His first big break was a job with Smith Ballew's band in 1933 where he worked with Glenn Miller. McKinley and Miller both joined the Dorsey Brothers band in 1934. When the Dorseys split up in June 1935, Jimmy took over leadership of the band and Ray remained with him until 1939 when he left to work with Will Bradley's newly formed band. Bradley and McKinley worked together as 'co-leaders' of the band until 1942 when a disagreement over the type of music the band should play caused Ray to leave.

The Ray McKinley band debuted in New York's Hotel Commodore. Lou Stein was featured on piano and Dick Cathcart played trumpet. [Cathcart would later marry Peggy Lennon of Lennon Sisters fame.] Imogene Lynn was the female vocalist while Ray handled the male vocals. The band appeared in one movie, 'Hit Parade of 1943' and recorded a few sides for the Hit and Capitol labels. It lasted less than one year, a victim of the military draft. When McKinley received his notice he contacted Captain Glenn Miller about joining his Army Air Force band and was taken on as the band's drummer. McKinley and Jerry Gray took over leadership of the band after Miller was reported Missing-In-Action.

After the war McKinley formed a new band. Eddie Sauter, who previously worked with Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Charlie Barnet and Red Norvo, was hired to write arrangements. Sidemen included Peanuts Hucko (c), Mundell Lowe (g) and Rusty Dedrick (tb). After a long period of rehearsals McKinley's new band recorded two sides for Majestic in January 1946 and then made its first public appearance on February 21, 1946 at the Hotel Commodore. It was billed as "The Most Versatile Band In The Land". Later in 1946, Deane Kincaide, who had arranged for Jimmy Dorsey's band, was hired. Sam Butera, later to become well-known for his work with Louis Prima and Keely Smith, joined the band in 1947. The band recorded for Majestic until November 1947 when they were signed to an RCA Victor contract where they recorded until September 1950. The band broke up in early 1952.

McKinley remained semi-active for the next few years. He recorded a number of sides for Decca in 1953 with an "all-star" studio big band and some "boogie-woogie" sides for Dot in 1956.

In April 1956 Ray McKinley again became associated with Glenn Miller when his estate asked him to become leader of a new Glenn Miller Orchestra. He toured with that band and recorded with it for RCA Victor and Epic. Ray retired in January 1966 and clarinetist Buddy DeFranco was hired as the new leader. During his retirement Ray made several appearances at nostalgia festivals.