Another Skeet in the country genre that got started at Fortune was Skeets McDonald—a very underrated honky-tonk singer-songwriter who helped to bring country and hillbilly music into rocknroll. Born Enos William McDonald in Greenway, Arkansas on October 1, 1915, the youngest of seven, young Enos called mosquitoes “skeets” and so that became his nickname. Skeets’ brother was a musician who moved to Detroit in the early 30s. In 1935, Skeets joined him in his band, The Lonesome Cowboys. Shortly after, Skeet formed his own band playing around Detroit, Flint and Pontiac.
Skeets was drafted in 1943 serving in both North Africa and the Far East and earned a Bronze Star. Upon his return to the States, he did radio and television work in Dearborn, Michigan experimenting with hillbilly boogie—the direct forerunner of rockabilly. He signed with Fortune in 1950, playing with Johnny White & His Roughriders (although the Fortune labels list the band as “the Rhythm Riders”). He also cut records for London and Mercury at this same time under the name Skeets Saunders. He also appeared in
Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town.
By 1952, Skeets moved out to LA to play with Cliffie Stone (talent scout for Capitol Records, session musician, bandleader and bassist for Merle Travis). Stone got Skeets signed to Capitol who wanted him as a country artist rather than boogie or rock. Skeets recorded 80 sides for Capitol including his first big hit in 1952, "Don’t Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes."
In 1959, Skeets released his last material with Capitol. Two of his sessions, "You Oughta See Grandma Rock" and "Heartbreakin’ Mama" featured the great Eddie Cochran on guitar. He signed with Columbia that same year and charted rather well on the country charts for the label. His 1963 release, "Call Me Mister Brown," reached number 9.
Skeets vacillated between rocknroll and tear-jerking country until his death of a heart attack on March 31, 1968 at the age of 52 in Inglewood, California.
Skeets McDonald on Fortune Records - 78 - Birthday Cake Boogie - YouTube
Nice early 50s hillbilly boogie with Skeets and Johnny White. Deliciously filthy. I doubt a woman could have gotten away with singing this one back then.
Skeet's McDonald Tattooed Lady FORTUNE 145 B - YouTube
For some reason, the label adds an apostrophe to "Skeets". I wonder if that was on purpose. You gotta love this guy! Andre Williams has nothing on him!