Bill McKinney (drummer)

William McKinney (September 17, 1895 – October 14, 1969) was an American jazz drummer who led a series of musical groups, most notably McKinney's Cotton Pickers.

William McKinney
BornSeptember 17, 1895
Cynthiana, Kentucky, U.S.
DiedOctober 14, 1969 (aged 74)
GenresJazz
InstrumentDrums

Early life

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McKinney was born in Cynthiana, Kentucky. He worked as a drummer in a circus band, then after serving in the United States Army in World War I settled in Springfield, Ohio where he took over leadership of the Synco Jazz Band.

Career

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After hiring drummer Cuba Austin, McKinney worked as leader and business manager. After touring the U.S. Midwest, they got a residency at the Arcadia Ballroom in Detroit, Michigan in 1926. In Detroit they were heard by bandleader and music promoter Jean Goldkette, who arranged a more lucrative home base for the band in Detroit's Graystone Ballroom. The band was renamed McKinney's Cotton Pickers.[1]

After the band broke up in 1934 during the Great Depression, McKinney for a time led and played with a dance band in Boston, From 1937 on McKinney managed a Detroit Cafe with a dance floor and live bands who McKinney booked; he also booked bands for other locations on the side.

Bill McKinney retired in the 1950s and spent his last years in his childhood hometown of Cynthiana.

Further reading

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  • McKinney's Music by John Chilton, 1978, ISBN 978-0950129013

References

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