Skeets McDonald – Don’t Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes – The Singles Collection 1950-62

Born Enos William McDonald in Arkansas in 1915, Skeets McDonald was a honky-tonk country and rockabilly singer, who acquired his nickname from calling mosquitoes “skeets” as a child. He had a band in Detroit in the 1930s and after war service worked on radio in Dearborn, Michigan, where he made his first records for the Fortune label before moving to Los Angeles, performing on radio on Hometown Jubilee and Town Hall Party, and signing to Capitol. He is best known for his 1952 country No. 1 with Slim Willet’s “Don’t Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes”, which Perry Como took to the top of the pop charts. This 58-track 2-CD collection comprises selected A & B sides on the Citation, Fortune, London, Mercury, Capitol and Columbia labels from these years, and features his No 1 country hit “Don’t Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes” and his other hit from this era “This Old Heart”. It features not only country material but also forays into rockabilly and rock ‘n’ roll, with Eddie Cochran playing guitar on Skeets’ recording of “You Oughta See Grandma Rock”. He went on to have a couple more hits in the 1960s, but this collection captures him during what was probably the primary era of his career, and it’s an enjoyable showcase for his particular brand of country.

Track Listing:

CD1:
Johnnie White & His Rhythm Riders feat. Skeets McDonald: 1. You Can't Come Back -   2. My Home In Tennesssee -   3. Southland Boogie -   4. Make My Dreams Come True -   5. Mean And Evil Blues -   6. The Tattooed Lady -   Skeets McDonald: 7. Please Daddy Don't Go To War -   8. So I Cried Myself To Sleep -   9. Baby When You're Around  -   10. Only One Love In Each Heart -   11. Goodbye Blues -   12. Blues Is Bad News -   13. Scoot, Git And Be Gone -   14. Bless Your Little Ol' Heart -   15. I'm Hurtin' -   16. Fuss And Fight -   17. Be My Life’s Companion -   18. Wheel Of Fortune -   19. Curtain Of Tears -   20. Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes -   21. Big Family Trouble -   22. I'm Sorry To Say I'm Sorry -   23. I've Got To Win Your Love Again -   24. It's Your Life -   Skeets McDonald & Helen O'Connell: 25. Hi Diddle Dee (My My) -   Skeets McDonald: 26. Looking At The Moon And Wishing -   27. Walking On Teardrops -   28. Look Who's Crying Now -

CD2:
Skeets McDonald: 1. Remember, You're Mine -   2. But I Do -   3. Each Time A New Love Dies -   4. Number One In Your Heart -   5. You're Too Late -   6.  A Losing Hand -   7. Strollin' -   8. I Got A New Field To Plow -   9.  It'll Take Me A Long Long Time -   10. You Oughta See Grandma Rock -   11. Heart-Breaking Mama -   12. Somebody -   13. Don't Push Me Too Far -   14. Keep Her Off Your Mind -   15. I Am Music -   16. Your Sweet Love Is Gone -   17. Fingertips -   18. Love Wind -    19. What Am I Doing Here -   20. What A Lonesome Life It’s Been -   21. Where You Go (I'll Follow) -   22. Cheek To Cheek With The Blues -   23. Everglades -   24. Make Room For The Blues -   25. This Old Heart -   26. He'll Let You Live A Little -   27. The Same Old Town -   28. What A Fool I Was -   29. I've Gotta Show You -   30. Dear John (I’ve Sent Your Saddle Home) -