Famous lyrics by »
The Merry Macs were an American close-harmony pop music quartet active from the 1920s till the 1960s and best known for the hits “Mairzy Doats,” “Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition” and "Sentimental Journey." The group also sang on recordings with Bing Crosby. Formed to play proms in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the group originally consisted of the three McMichael brothers: tenors Judd (1906–1989) and Joe (1916–1944), and baritone Ted (1908–2001). They were discovered by organist-bandleader Eddie Dunstedter of station WCCO, who suggested they perform in masks and dubbed them The Mystery Trio. In 1931–'32 the McMichaels toured with the orchestra of arranger-composer Joe Haymes, who renamed them The Personality Boys. By 1933 they added a female lead singer, Cheri McKay, and changed their name to The Merry Macs. At Haymes' recommendation, Victor Records engaged the group for one single that year, their first recording. In 1936 they appeared on several national radio programs, and Cheri McKay was replaced by Helen Carroll. (McKay trained her successor in the group's singing style.) Another record session followed with Ray Noble's orchestra. The Merry Macs started appearing with Fred Allen on Town Hall Tonight starting on November 17, 1937. In September 1938, they signed a contract with Allen for the 1938–1939 season, and they remained until the end of the 1940 season. Vocal quartets had customarily harmonized like barbershop quartets. The Merry Macs revolutionized vocal harmony with closer harmonic chords. This style inspired other groups, like The Modernaires and Six Hits and a Miss. In 1938 The Merry Macs signed with Decca Records and recorded “Pop Goes the Weasel.” The Merry Macs (with Carroll) sang a swing version of "Down by the Old Mill Stream" in the 1939 Vitaphone musical Seeing Red, Red Skelton's first film. In 1939 Mary Lou Cook (1910-1944) replaced Helen Carroll. This is the foursome that most listeners know from film appearances. The McMichael brothers and Cook appeared as a specialty act in Hollywood movies, including 1940's Love Thy Neighbor, and Universal Pictures gave The Merry Macs their own feature-film series in 1941. Their most famous film is Ride 'Em Cowboy (1942), an Abbott and Costello comedy in which The Merry Macs offer musical interludes. At the time, Cook was married to actor Elisha Cook, Jr.; she ended both her marriage and her affiliation with The Merry Macs at about the same time. Marjory Garland (1923–1991) replaced Mary Lou Cook after Ride 'Em Cowboy was filmed. The Merry Macs continued to score on the hit parade; their version of "Mairzy Doats" was a best-seller. Garland, who later married Judd McMichael, remained with the group until the 1960s. Imogene Lynn was the group's female lead singer in 1946–1947.Youngest brother Joe McMichael served in the armed forces and was killed in 1944. He was replaced by Clive Erard, then Dick Baldwin, and finally Vern Rowe. The foursome of Judd, Ted, Marjory and Vern continued performing until they retired from show business in 1964.
Update this biography »
Complete biography of The Merry Macs »
2 fans
Albums by The Merry MacsSort:By AlbumA - Z
America's Greatest Hits 1945 [2019]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
On The Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe | 3:08 |
America's No. 1's of the '40s [2019]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Mairzy Doats | 2:43 |
America's Greatest Hits 1944 [2018]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Mairzy Doats | 2:43 |
Pretty Kitty Blue Eyes | 2:37 |
America's Greatest Hits: 1942 [2017]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Jingle Jangle Jingle | 2:54 |
Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition | 2:42 |
Classic Duets [2017]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
On the Atchison Topeka and the Santa Fe | 3:09 |
If I Had You | 3:21 |
America's Greatest Hits: 1941 [2016]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Dolores | 3:11 |
Only Forever: The Early Forties [Sounds of Yesteryear] [2016]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Dolores | 3:06 |
I'll Be Seeing You: World War II - The Road to Victory [2015]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Mairzy Doats | 2:44 |
Wonders of the Wartime: Bing Crosby [2014]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Dolores | 3:12 |
Swooning and Crooning: Bing Crosby [2013]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Dolores | 3:12 |
The Golden Age of Radio, Vol. 2 [2013]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition | 2:37 |
Greatest Hits of the 1940s [2012]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Jingle, Jingle, Jingle | 2:55 |
It's All In the Name: The Girls [2012]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Dolores | 3:12 |
The Best Years Of Our Lives: The Most Popular Songs Of 1941 [2012]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Dolores | 3:10 |
The Best Years of Our Lives: 1944 [2012]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Mairzy Doats | 2:42 |
Heroes & Sweethearts: A Salute to the Great Wartime Songs [2010]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Mairzy Doats | 2:45 |
Over the Rainbow: The Very Best of Judy Garland [2010]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe | 3:06 |
100 Hits: Wartime Memories [2009]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Mairzy Doats and Dozy Doats | 2:43 |
Great Forties Collection [2008]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Jingle, Jangle, Jingle | |
Mairzy Doats |
Great Songs of 1941 [2008]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Dolores | 3:12 |
Collection [Red Box] [2007]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe | 3:13 |
Hit Parade 1942 [2007]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition | 2:33 |
Hit Parade 1944 [2007]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Mairzy Doats | 2:43 |
Hit Parade 1945 [2007]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
On the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe | 5:49 |
The Definitive Collection [2006]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe | 3:10 |
On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe [From The Harvey Girls] | 3:09 |
A Star Is Born [Prism] [2005]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe [*] | 3:08 |
Children's Favourites [Prism Explorer] [2005]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Mairzy Doats | 2:43 |
Judy Garland [Kala] [2005]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
On the Atchison, Topeka & The Santa Fe | 5:50 |
World War II Songs: As Time Goes By [2004]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Mairzy Doats | 2:42 |
Over the Rainbow and Beyond [2002]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe [From The Harvey Girls] | 3:14 |
Radio Favourites [K-Tel UK] [2002]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Mairzy Doats and Dozy Doats | 2:46 |
Sing and Swing With Bing [TIM] [2002]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Dolores | 3:09 |
Spirit of the War Years [3 CD] [2002]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Mairzy Doats and Dozy Doats | 2:46 |
The Groups Sing: From the Big Band Era and Beyond [2002]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Mairzy Doats and Dozy Doats | 2:44 |
Jingle, Jangle, Jingle | 2:53 |
Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition | 2:33 |
Hits of the 30's & 40's, Vol. 1 & 2 [2001]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Mairzy Doats | 2:46 |
Hits of the 30's & 40's, Vol. 2 [2001]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Mairzy Doats | 2:46 |
Mairzy Doats [2001]
Hits of the 30's & 40's [1999]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Mairzy Doats | 2:45 |
Vocal Group Magic: Vocal Groups From The Golden Era of 40's Music [1999]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
(I Got Spurs That) Jingle, Jangle, Jingle | 2:54 |
Family Travel Classics [1998]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe | 3:10 |
G.I. Jukebox: Songs from World War II [1998]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Mairzy Doats | 2:43 |
Gershwin: Fascinating Rhythm [1998]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Clap Yo' Hands | 2:24 |
Mairzy Doats: 24 Great Comic Songs [1997]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Mairzy Doats | 2:44 |
The Harmonious Hits of the Merry Macs [1997]
Flaky Forties [1995]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Mairzy Doats | 2:41 |
Great American Songwriters, Vols. 1-5 [Box] [1995]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe |
Great American Songwriters, Vol. 2: Johnny Mercer [1994]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe | 3:11 |
The Complete Decca Masters (Plus) [1994]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe | 3:07 |
If I Had You | 3:22 |
We'll Meet Again: The Love Songs of World War II [1994]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Sentimental Journey | 3:00 |
American Songbook Series: Harry Warren [1993]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe | 3:08 |
Your Hit Parade: 1944 [1990]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Mairzy Doats |
Songs That Won The War: We'll Meet Again
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Jingle, Jangle, Jingle | 2:54 |
Unknown Album
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Jingle, Jangle, Jingle | 2:53 |
Share your thoughts on The Merry Macs with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In