the dorsey brothers split in 1935. mckinley remained with jimmy dorsey until 1939, when he joined will bradley, becoming co-leader. mckinley's biggest hit with bradley, as a singer, was "beat me daddy, eight to the bar", which he recorded early in the year 1940 (and for which he got partial songwriting credit under his wife's maiden name eleanore sheehy). mckinley is referred to as "eight beat mack" in the lyrics to the song "down the road a piece," which he recorded as a trio with will bradley and freddie slack in 1940. this was the earliest recording of the song, which was written specifically for bradley's band by don raye.