McKinley grew up in Alaska where she learned to shoot a pistol and use a CB radio. She then attended Catholic school in California where she learned most of the saints and how to say "Hail Mary" in Spanish. After earning a mechanical engineering degree at Cal Poly, where she played bass in a band, she moved to London and began writing her own songs.

When she returned to the states, she recorded her first CD. She was signed to a label by Santana's original drummer, Michael Shrieve, and did some touring in Europe. She also toured as an opener for her label mate, David Crosby. McKinley is currently working on a CD and show about Jesus, physics, and death called “Gracie and the Atom.” The songs will be sparkling little pop nuggets. She also plays in a band with her friends called Dirty Martini.

McKinley lives in a little red house in Portland, Oregon and gives out pencils for Halloween.