Jo Ann Holt
Country music legend and native Texan Mac Davis was laid to rest on October 5 in his hometown of Lubbock, Texas. Davis passed away September 29 at age 78, following heart surgery in Nashville. His funeral service was a private ceremony attended only by family members. However, fans of the prolific singer/songwriter, Hollywood and TV personality were invited to join in a celebration of his life and career. As the lyrics to his famous song “Texas in my Rearview Mirror” stated, “And when I die, you can bury me in Lubbock, Texas, in my jeans.”
Many paid their respects to Davis by lining up outside the Lubbock City Cemetery as the funeral motorcade passed by. Davis fans also sent donations to MusiCares, the Recording Academy’s charity for musicians and music industry professionals who have been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Other big hits for Davis as an artist include “Baby, Don’t Get Hooked On Me,” “Naughty Girl,” and “A Little Less Conversation,” “Lord It’s Hard to be Humble,” and “Texas In My Rear View Mirror.” As a songwriter, Davis penned numerous hits, including “In the Ghetto” and “Don’t Cry Daddy” for Elvis Presley. Many other artists, like Nancy Sinatra, B.J. Thomas, Bobby Goldsboro, Vicki Carr, and Perry Como, all recorded his songs.
Davis’s recording career included six Top 10 singles on Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. His 1981 recording “Hooked on Music” charted at No. 2. His crossover hits made the Hot 100 chart. He is a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Mac Davis Acting Roles
Video: YouTube/Mac Davis – Topic
Davis was also a prolific actor, starting with his starring role alongside Nick Nolte in the 1979 movie version of Pete Gent’s “North Dallas Forty.” Gent was a former Dallas Cowboy player and his 1973 novel was obviously based on his years with the Cowboys. Davis starred in various TV specials, including “The Dukes of Hazard” and “Beer for My Horses.” He even had his own variety show, “The Mac Davis Show,” from 1974 to 1976. Davis continued to act on television through the 1980s, ’90s, and early 2000s.
After appearing on “King of the Hill,” and “That ’70s Show,” his most recent TV appearance was in “Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings” in 2019. Davis received a Hollywood Star, and in 2014 he was inducted into the Texas Film Hall of Fame.
He was loved and respected by many of his fellow artists and musicians, who have posted tributes to Davis on social media. A few of those heartfelt tributes are listed below.
“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
Music Artists’ Tributes
Video: YouTuve/Joe Simonetta
“Mac Davis was such a great guy and an amazing writer. One of the best in the business and a wonderful friend. This is a huge loss to the music industry. His family is in my prayers.” – B.J. Thomas
“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
“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 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
