Born and raised in Oklahoma City, Michael McKinney attended and graduated from Douglass High School in Oklahoma City, where he was a drummer in the marching band as well as playing upright bass. After graduating he moved to Dallas Texas and continued his music education at Bishop College (Paul Quinn College) and furthered his studies at Southern Methodist University. While attending college he was asked to join and play bass guitar with popular local bands that were in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area, such as The Apollo Commanders and The Soul Seven which went on to release a record that contained the songs "Mr. Chicken" and" Cissy's Thing"[1] both of which McKinney co-wrote and co produced which would later be used as the main sample for Christina Aguilera's multi platinum song, "Ain't No Other Man". While in Dallas, he was approached by country singer Michael Martin Murphey to come play and record with his band, which resulted in the song "Wildfire". The song went on to be certified platinum and reach #1 on Billboard, June 1975. While in Dallas, McKinney met and became close friends with eventual Stevie Wonder band member, Saxophonist Hank Redd, who suggested he should relocate to Los Angeles. Shortly after relocating, Redd introduced McKinney to Stevie Wonder's bassist, Nathan Watts, who suggested The Jacksons use McKinney for the upcoming[3] Destiny World Tour. After meeting and auditioning for Michael and Marlon Jackson, McKinney was hired and went on tour [with the Jacksons]. After the tour completed, McKinney began to record and co-write with Michael and Tito Jackson for the upcoming Jackson album titled "Triumph". [This] resulted in the co-write of the song, "Everybody", culminating in going on the supporting Triumph Tour. "Everybody" is more playful than the Off the Wall dance tunes, with Mike McKinney propelling it like a plane turning and bearing down”, according to Michael Jackson’s memoir, Moonwalk…[4] After the completion of the tour in 1981, the Jacksons released the Jacksons LIVE album [5] which featured McKinney on bass [6]. After the tour ended, McKinney went on to perform with Quincy Jones’ protégé, Patti Austin, on her LIVE IN JAPAN Tour. Following this tour, he went on to focus on more songwriting and production. Michael McKinney currently resides in Oklahoma City, continuing his work as a musician, singer, songwriter and recording artist. Personal Life McKinney's mother was noted pianist June McKinney, who played with Count Basie, and is the father of noted Grammy Producer Songwriter Mack McKinney.