American baritone singer and songwriter. Long-time member of the Merry Macs.
Born: April 4, 1908 in Marshalltown, Iowa, USA
Died: February 27, 2001 (age 92) in Camarillo, California, USA
He was one of the founders of The Merry Macs popular vocal quartet, which had several hits: Mairzy Doats, Praise The Lord and Pass the Ammunition, and Sentimental Journey. The Merry Macs were founded by Ted and his brothers Judd McMichael and Joe McMichael in the 1920s while attending high school in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Known as The McMichaels, they were hired by WCCO in Minneapolis. 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.
Ted made his mark as a songwriter as well. His Hut-Sut Song (A Swedish Serenade) (co-written by Leo V. Killion & Jack Owens) cracked the U.S. charts 4 times in 1941--Freddy Martin and His Orchestra hit #2 while it made it to #15 for the Mighty Macs, #3 for Horace Heidt and his Musical Knights, and #7 for The Four King Sisters. He also charted that same year with By-U By-O (The Lou’siana Lullaby) (co-written by Max Fenton & Jack Owens), which hit #20 for Woody Herman and His Orchestra.