Skip to main content

Mobile Ads

Mac Davis, country star and songwriter for Elvis Presley, dies aged 78

Country star Mac Davis, who launched his career crafting the Elvis hits 'A Little Less Conversation' and 'In the Ghetto,' and whose own hits include 'Baby Don’t Get Hooked On Me,' has died. He was 78.

His longtime manager Jim Morey said in a press release that Davis died in Nashville on Tuesday after heart surgery and was surrounded by family and friends.

Davis had a long and varied career in music for decades as a writer, singer, actor and TV host and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2006. He was named 1974’s entertainer of the year by the Academy of Country Music and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

“Thank you, dear Lord Jesus, for letting us know the man to whom you gave the most incredible talent,” said Reba McEntire in a statement. “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.”

Born in Lubbock, Texas, and raised in Georgia, Davis was inspired by fellow Lubbock native Buddy Holly, but it was Elvis who gave him his first musical big break. Davis worked as a staff songwriter in Los Angeles for Nancy Sinatra’s publishing company when in 1968 Presley cut 'A Little Less Conversation.'

Although it had a little success at the time, the song became a bigger hit after Presley’s death, being covered by more than 30 artists and became Davis’ most licensed TV soundtrack song. The song reached the top of the UK charts in 2002 after it was used in a Nike commercial and was featured in the hit movie Ocean’s 11.

Davis also helped craft the song 'Memories' that was a cornerstone of Elvis’ big 1968 comeback TV special.

“A small town boy who’d achieved the greatest kinds of fame, he remained a good guy, a family man,” said country star Kenny Chesney. “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.”

Davis got a recording deal of his own in 1970, recording 'Hooked on Music,' 'It’s Hard to be Humble,' and 'Texas in my Rearview Mirror,' and getting crossover success on pop charts. He had his own TV series, The Mac Davis Show on NBC, and also acted in TV and film, including alongside Nick Nolte in the football film North Dallas Forty. He even starred on Broadway, in The Will Rogers Follies and toured with the musical. The group Gallery had a hit on his song 'I Believe in Music.'

“He was the songwriter behind some of the most iconic and timeless songs that transcend genres and generations and was named a BMI Icon in 2015,” said BMI President and CEO Mike O’Neil. “Beyond his extraordinary talent, Mac was a dedicated friend and advocate for songwriters everywhere.”

He also wrote songs recorded by Kenny Rogers ('Something’s Burning'), Dolly Parton ('White Limozeen') and Ray Price ('Lonesomest Lonesome'). He was still writing later in life, getting co-writing credits on songs by Avicii ( Addicted to You') and Bruno Mars ('Young Girls').

“Today our country community lost an amazing entertainer, songwriter and artist,” said Sarah Trahern, CEO of CMA. “I remember watching Mac’s TV show as a kid as well as his three years co-hosting the CMA Awards with Barbara Mandrell, which proved his command of the TV medium as well as the music.”

Singer and songwriter Richard Marx condoled the dead of Mac Davis. He tweeted a picture with Davis and wrote, "It was an honor to hear you tell me stories.

American actress Lydia Cornell also expressed her sorrow over Davis' death.

Writer and actor Matt Oswalt tweeted, "RIP Mac Davis."

CMA Country Music on its official Twitter handle said it is heartbroken by the passing away of former CMA Awards host Mac Davis.

R&B singer and writer Donn T wrote, "My late grandma Laura loved country singer #MacDavis songwriter of Elvis’ “In The Ghetto”. Seconds ago I shared with my husband who didn’t know him, “Yeah Mac Davis was in the era of #HelenReddy,” as I read, she just died too."

(With inputs from The Associated Press)


by FP Trending
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Oscars 2021 adds in-person UK hub for international nominees amid travel concerns during pandemic

With less than a month until showtime, the 93rd Oscars are taking another pass at the script. Show producers Steven Soderbergh, Jesse Collins and Stacey Sher remain determined to have an i n-person ceremony on 25 April in Los Angeles but told nominees on Tuesday in a virtual meeting that they’ve added a British hub after some backlash from nominees about international travel restrictions. The main event will still take place at Los Angeles’ Union station which will include a red carpet component but they are planning something special for the UK location. The show is also working with local broadcast affiliates around the world to provide satellite links for other international nominees. They said they are not totally ruling out Zoom but are hoping it doesn’t come to that. Although plans and requirements remain fluid, attendees have been told they’re expected to quarantine for 10 days prior to the show. And everyone is being told to bring a mask, even if the show is being designed...
Post a Comment
Read more

Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan to marry on 9 June; here's all you need to know

Filmmaker Vignesh Shivan and Nayanthara are all set to get married tomorrow, 9 June. Shivan made an announcement about the same on Tuesday, 7 June in an interaction with the media. Talking about their wedding venue, Shivan informed that the wedding will take place at a private resort in Mahabalipuram . Shivan also spoke about the change in the wedding venue from Tirupati to Mahabalipuram. The filmmaker said that the couple wanted to get married in a temple but due to issues in logistics, it was difficult to bring their families to Tirupati. So, they decided to change the wedding venue to Mahabalipuram. He added that the wedding will be attended by close friends and family members. The rumours regarding their wedding began after the duo was clicked with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and reports claimed that the couple had gone to invite the Chief Minister for their special day. Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan had met each other in 2015 for the first time during the nar...
Post a Comment
Read more

Dreams, desires and aspirations: Udan Patolas cast on why the show is a must-watch

The Bold Type , Four More Shots and now Udan Patolas , stories reflecting sisterhood and female bonding seems like the flavour of the season. Udan Patolas , the Indian adaptation of the Israeli TV show Honey Badgers, depicts the voice of today’s generation of Indian women who are fiercely independent and are not afraid to speak their minds. Produced by Applause Entertainment – the makers of the successful series ‘Scam 1992’ in association with Sol Productions and directed by Shakti Sagar Chopra, from the Hatim and Ramayan fame, the web series features actors Apoorva Arora, Aastha Sidana, Poppy Jabbal, and Sukhmani Sadana in the lead roles. It also features Rajveer Singh, Mayank Arora, Taniya Kalrra, Vaibhav Talwar, Rakesh Bedi, and Manik Singh in prominent roles. In an interview with Firstpost during the press meeting in Delhi, Aastha, Poppy, and Sukhmani (who is also the writer of the show) spoke about how the series will remind every girl about their close group of friends. They a...
Post a Comment
Read more