Ray McKinley (June 18, 1910 – May 7, 1995) was a prominent American jazz drummer, singer, and bandleader known for his dynamic drumming and leadership in the big band era. Born in Fort Worth, Texas, McKinley began playing drums at the age of nine and started his musical career with The Jolly Jazz Band in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. By the age of 15, he was performing with bands such as Milt Shaw's Detroiters and Smith Ballew's band, where he met Glenn Miller in 1929, forming a lifelong friendship.

McKinley's professional breakthrough came in 1934 when he joined the Dorsey Brothers' Orchestra. After the brothers split in 1935, he stayed with Jimmy Dorsey until 1939, before co-leading a band with Will Bradley. Their collaboration produced the hit "Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar" in 1940. After parting ways with Bradley in 1942, McKinley formed his own band, which was short-lived due to his draft into the Army during World War II.

During the war, McKinley co-led the Major Glenn Miller Army Air Forces Orchestra with Jerry Gray after Miller's disappearance in 1944. Post-war, he formed a modern big band featuring original compositions by Eddie Sauter. McKinley continued to innovate in the big band scene through the late 1940s and 1950s, adapting to new musical styles like bebop.

In 1956, McKinley became the leader of the revived Glenn Miller Orchestra, maintaining the "Miller Sound" and touring extensively until 1966. He later pursued a career in radio and television and occasionally returned to music, leading smaller groups and participating in Miller reunions. McKinley's contributions to jazz and big band music, along with his collaborations with artists like Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, left a lasting impact on the genre.