.

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 for 18 weeks). 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 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.
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.

He recorded more than 80 numbers for the label, including his 1952 smash country hit, "Don"t Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes" (Number 1 for 18 weeks).

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. He also appeared on the Grand Ole Opry and the Big D Jamboree in Dallas, Texas.

When his older brother moved to Detroit, Michigan, the early 1930s, McDonald followed; and joined his first band, the Lonesome Cowboys, in 1935. 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.

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), 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.

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. 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.

He scored several hits on the Billboard country chart, including "This Old Heart" (1960, Number 21), "Call Maine Mr.

Brown" (1963, Number 9), "Big Chief Buffalo Nickel (Desert Blues)" (1966, Number 29), and "Mabel" (1967, Number 28).

He also appeared on the Grand Ole Opry and the Big Doctorate Jamboree in Dallas, Texas. When told by reviewers he "belonged to another age," he took it as a compliment to his dedication.

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

He later formed his own band and played local clubs and on radio in Flint and Pontiac.

McDonald was drafted in 1943 and was stationed in North Africa and the Far East during World War II, earning a Bronze Star.
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.

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.