Like many youngsters in the depression era, Skeets McDonald was influenced by Jimmie Rodgers's recordings, and taught himself to play guitar. By 1935, the native Arkansan had moved to Detroit and began singing with the Lonesome Cowboys before organizing his own band. After serving in World War II, he made his first recordings for the Fortune label in 1950, and became a regular on Cliffie Stone’s Hometown Jamboree radio show. Between '51-'58, he recorded over 80 sides for Columbia Records, including the number-one country hit of '57, "Don’t Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes." He recorded in Nashville in the '60s, made appearances on the Grand Ole Opry, and also made several film appearances. The country legend died in 1968.