By his early twenties, he had become a worker on a ranch in Tucson, Arizona, then joined the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.
In 1947, he married Jane Haughton and moved to California to pursue a career as a folk singer.
He appeared and sang in the 1956 Western Star in the Dust with John Agar, Mamie Van Doren, and Richard Boone.
[2] The three also wrote "Memories Are Made of This", which became a popular song in several versions, most particularly the one sung by Dean Martin backed by the Easy Riders.
[4] Other songs Gilkyson wrote for Disney films were: He died in Austin, Texas, while visiting family.