Mac Davis (1942-2020) Lubbock, Texas
Mac Davis was a legendary songwriter, singer, and actor. While watching Buddy Holly driving his new car one afternoon, Davis thought, “Woah! If he can do that, I can do that!” After graduating, he moved to Atlanta, formed the band the Zots, and worked as a regional record company manager. He went to work for Nancy Sinatra’s Boots Enterprises, Inc., as a songwriter. Many artists recorded his songs, but his break came when Elvis Presley recorded his songs “Memories” and the number one hit “In the Ghetto.” In 1970, Davis left Boots Enterprises and signed with Columbia records. He pursued a solo career in pop and country music. In 1972, he was a Grammy nominee with his crossover number-one hit single “Baby Don’t Get Hooked on Me.” In 1974, he won the Academy of Country Music’s Entertainer of the Year award, which helped him secure his television show—The Mac Davis Show. In 1979, he made his film debut in the movie North Dallas Forty. He starred and appeared in other television shows, movies, and Broadway productions. In the 1980s, Davis had several more hits with “It’s Hard to be Humble,” Texas in My Rearview Mirror, and “Hooked on Music.” He continued collaborating with other artists, including Avicii, Bruno Mars, Keith Urban, and Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo until his death. Mac’s signature song was “I Believe in Music,” and he sang it to close his concerts.
Mac Davis was inducted into the West Texas Walk of Fame in 1983.
