Iconic Singer Songwriter Mac Davis Dies After Heart Surgery
This is a huge loss to the music community.
Mac Davis, whose hits “I Believe In Music,” “Baby Don’t Get Hooked On Me,” “Texas In My Rear View Mirror” and “It’s Hard To Be Humble” graced the airwaves beginning in the 1970s, died last night (September 29) after undergoing heart surgery in Nashville. Davis’ long-time manager and friend, Jim Morey, says Davis was surrounded by his family, wife Lise and sons Scott, Noah and Cody, at the time of his death.
Davis entered his career in music as a teenager, performing in rock bands around Lubbock, Texas, his hometown. After high school he moved to Atlanta, where he was in a rock & roll band, The Zots. He recorded a series of solo tunes for independent labels from 1962-65.
After those recordings did nothing for Davis, he became a promotion man for Vee Jay and Liberty Records, a job which came with a move to Los Angeles, where he signed with Nancy Sinatra’s publishing company. Hits with Bobby Goldsboro (“Watching Scotty Grow”), Glen Campbell (“Everything A Man Could Ever Need”) and Kenny Rogers (“Something’s Burning”) followed shortly thereafter. After Elvis Presley recorded “A Little Less Conversation,” he asked Davis to write a song about looking back over the years for his comeback special. Davis recalled, “I stayed up all night at Billy Strange’s house in Los Angeles and wrote ‘Memories’ in one night.”
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Presley then recorded “In The Ghetto,” a song Davis says was inspired by his childhood friend Smitty Junior, the son of a black labourer who worked with his father. “He was my age and we used to play together. They lived in a really funky dirt street ghetto that had broken glass everywhere, and I couldn’t understand why they had to live that way and I lived another way.”
A few years ago Davis reflected on the song, which has been covered by more than 170 artists including Dolly Parton and Sammy Davis Jr., saying, “It is more poignant now than it was then. Instead of getting better it’s gotten worse. Back then we had gangs and violence in a few cities; now we have it in almost every American city.”
The inspiration for “I Believe In Music” came to Davis at a party thrown by Lulu and her husband at the time, Maurice Gibb. He was making a drink when someone asked him if he wanted to join them in a séance. When he politely declined, they asked him, “Don’t you believe in the occult.” He instantly recognized that his reply, “No man, I believe in music,” had the makings of a song, and he grabbed one of Gibb’s guitars and had the hook written before he left the party.
Davis’ debut album, “Song Painter,” was released in 1970. Davis was known as a Song Painter from that point forward, and released tunes including “One Hell Of A Woman,” “Stop And Smell The Roses,” “Forever Lovers” and “Hooked On Music.” After he had semi-retired, Dolly Parton approached him about writing with her, telling him she believed they should get together and write songs like they were hungry again. Their collaboration gave her the title song to her 1990 album “White Limozeen.” The two of them dueted on another song on the album, “Wait ‘Til I Get You Home.”
Davis’ songs were recorded by a broad spectrum of artists, among them Bruno Mars, Tammy Wynette, Andy Williams, Avicii, Tom Jones, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard and Helen Reddy. Ironically, Reddy passed away yesterday (September 29) in Los Angeles within hours of Davis. She had been battling dementia since 2015. Their careers ran parallel and often crossed. Reddy was the first person to record “I Believe In Music,” which was the B side of her first American hit, “I Don’t Know How To Love Him.” Reddy made several appearances on “The Mac Davis Show” in 1974 and 1975. The two also toured together in 1973.
Davis recorded 20 albums, of which five were Gold and two were platinum. He charted more than 40 singles. He is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, the national Songwriters Hall of Fame and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He is also a member of the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame and the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, and he was named a BMI Icon in 2015 for his “unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers.” He received 27 BMI awards throughout his career.
Davis’ career included acting. He was in movies including North Dallas Forty, The Sting II and Cheaper To Keep Her. He was also in Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings and was the voice of Sheriff Buford in five episodes of King of the Hill. He appeared on Broadway as Will Rogers in The Will Rogers Follies. He also hosted a live radio show, Labor of Love, in which he featured classic country music and talked about the men and women behind the songs. Additionally, he hosted numerous television specials, including I Believe In Christmas and Mac Davis: 10th Anniversary Special: I Still Believe in Music.
Davis will be buried in his hometown of Lubbock, Texas on Monday, October 5 at 1 p.m. The burial will be closed to the public. Fans and media can watch the motorcade as it enters the Lubbock City Cemetery from Mac Davis Boulevard. In his song “Texas in My Rearview Mirror,” Davis sings, “And when I die, you can bury me in Lubbock, Texas in my jeans,” which is exactly the way the singer/songwriter will be dressed for his burial.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to MusiCares, a charity that has provided more than $60 million in health, financial, and rehabilitation resources to music people in times of need. To make a donation go to grammy.com/musicares/donations.
Friends Mourn Death of Mac Davis
“Thank you, dear Lord Jesus, for letting us know the man to whom you gave the most incredible talent. He entertained and spread joy to so many people. What a wonderful legacy he left all of us with his music. Mac was one of a kind. I’m so blessed to have been one of his many friends.” – Reba McEntire
“I met Mac as a young artist just starting out on my journey, when he was already a legend and a songwriting hero to me. He welcomed me into his home and turned that tremendous creative light on me. Even though he’d written “In the Ghetto” for Elvis and had so many incredible hits of his own, he made me feel like what I was doing mattered. A small-town boy who’d achieved the greatest kind of fame, he remained a good guy, a family man. That was Mac: a giant heart, quick to laugh and a bigger creative spirit. I was blessed to have it shine on me. And Mac, who was joyous, funny and created a family around him, never stopped writing great songs, creating music and inspiring everyone around him. He loved his wife Lise and his kids and all kinds of people. He kept in touch, always a kind word, a new joke or a piece of song he was working on, which made him a blessing to everyone who came into his life.” – Kenny Chesney
Mac Davis will always hold a very special place in our hearts because around 1977 when he launched a major concert tour of America he took us along as his opening act. It gave us tremendous exposure to his vast television and concert audience and meant so much to our career. We will always have the most fond memories of Mac and those incredible shows we shared with him and our friendship over the years. We’re so saddened by his passing and send our prayers to his family during this difficult time. – David Bellamy
There’s no way to express the grief that we feel about Mac Davis. The entertainment industry will miss this great talent and beautiful American. We pray for his family and those that love him. – Lee Greenwood
Very sad tonight! I just heard that legendary singer, songwriter and actor, Mac Davis has passed away after heart surgery. I grew up watching The Mac Davis show and loving his talent. This is heartbreaking! Mac Davis was once asked by a TV audience member to write a song about a rubber duck. He instantly wrote: “I was sitting in the bathtub when my toe got stuck. The jerk I made caused a tidal wave and squashed my rubber duck!” Funny guy with a tremendously quick wit. – Travis Tritt
I came across Mac Davis telling a story about Elvis. He’d been invited to see a movie with Elvis at a theater. He told the story in such a warm and funny way that I watched him tell it several times and actually wished I could have met him. Then I learned that he wrote the song “Memories” and I was really moved. This is such a beautiful, incomparable song that words can’t express my admiration for it. Here’s to Mac Davis. You were a Good Ol Boy for sure and I sure wish I could have met you for a beer or two. – Don McLean
I am heartbroken this morning learning of the passing of my friend Mac Davis. He was an incredible songwriter and guitar player. He’d penned songs for Elvis to Avicii. More importantly, he was a great husband and a father. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. Love ya Mac – Jake Owen
Just moments ago we lost one of the greatest singer songwriter entertainers and storytellers the world has ever known. Please say a prayer for the Mac Davis Family. – John Schneider
“American music has just lost a premiere singer, songwriter, entertainer, and a genuinely great human being. In a year already fraught with sacrifice and loss this is another one that is hard to process. Goodbye Mac Davis… until the day…” – Joe, Duane, William Lee, Richard – The Oak Ridge Boys
Very sorry to hear that Mac Davis passed away last night at age 78 from complications after his heart surgery. He was a great songwriter, singer and entertainer. Prayers to his family. RIP Mac. – Gene Watson
This is another loss for the greatest era in American contemporary music with the passing of this extremely talented soul, Mac Davis – Sam Moore
The loss of Mac Davis cuts deep. Laura and I loved to spend time with him and his bright and shining wife Lise. Talking about music with him was exciting and inspiring. Our shared history gave us many touch points. He was a great talent, songwriter, performer and friend. #MacDavis – Jimmy Webb
Well, dang, friends! Mac wasn’t just an amazing songwriter to me, he was a hero since childhood. I bought his albums sight unseen and didn’t just watch his myriad TV appearances, I studied them. I must’ve seen his HBO special in ’79 a hundred times. I got to visit with him a few times and had one real good hang. He was a prince and a doll and allowed me to get my full gherm out. One night in Austin, he put both hands on my shoulders and said, ‘Son, you oughtta take ya a DNA test, you command a room like Presley!’….Mac Davis said that to me. Sheesh. It is my sincere, and well informed, opinion that he was the greatest songwriter to ever come out of Lubbock. Go listen to that body of work and tell me it ain’t so. I’ll do “Hard To Be Humble” as the Weekly Waltz on the Feel Good Hour Friday. I Believe In Music. I Believe In Mac Davis. – Monte Warden
I’m saddened that Mac Davis has passed. He was the only songwriter who was willing to tell me the last verse of “Shame On The Moon” was crap. He was right. I last spoke to him at the DMV and we had a laugh about it. I was happy for the chance to tell him I’d rewritten all three verses. I’m grateful to have known him. May his family be at peace. – Rodney Crowell
I cherish the tours I had with Mac Davis and was thrilled to work the Nevada casinos with him. He made a huge impact in our world of country music and was greatly respected. Love you Mac. – Janie Fricke
We’ve just lost one of the greatest singer/songwriters that I’ve known in my lifetime. Say Hello to Heaven Mac Davis. – David Frizzell
Totally broken-hearted that my dear friend Mac Davis left for home this evening. My thoughts and prayers are with his incredible wife Lise and their family. Gone but never forgotten. – T.G. Sheppard
I am praying for my friend Mac Davis and his family. I can’t believe this and will see you on the other side. I love you Mac! – Johnny Lee
I am very saddened to hear about the passing of Mac Davis. I met him at Vince Gill’s golf tournament and I saw him at that same event for several years. He was always fun and funny! What a songwriter. “In The Ghetto” is one of the best songs ever! Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. God Bless. – T. Graham Brown
Mac Davis was one of my heroes and my friend , he will be missed . – Ronnie McDowell
Very saddened by the news of two country entertainers that passed yesterday, Mac Davis and Helen Ready…. I had the opportunity to work with them both through my career. They were both great artist and Mac was a terrific song writer. They will be missed. – Mickey Gilley
“So saddened with the loss of Mac Davis and my heart is so heavy for his family, friends and fans. I have never heard of anyone who didn’t love Mac….everything about him. I just recently featured him on my SXM show and talked about his humor as well as his writing and that, like Roger Miller, he had a way of putting it all together. He will be remembered with love and laughter.” –Jeannie Seely
“Mac Davis was a national treasure. His songs, his voice, his stories, his funny sweet nature, and his tv and movie rolls will live on forever in the hearts of all of us who had the pleasure of knowing him, but as well in the hearts of strangers cause Mac never knew a stranger. He will be greatly missed. Rest well friend…we rejoice in your name today as you move on to the promised land!” –Heidi Newfield
“I was fortunate to be friends with Mac over the years. We had a lot of fun working on Rodney Carrington’s television series together. With great respect, may he RIP.” –Steve Dorff
