Mac Davis facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mac Davis
Davis performing at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame Concert in 2010
Background information
Birth name	Mac Davis
Born	(1942-01-21)January 21, 1942 Lubbock, Texas, U.S.
Died	September 29, 2020(2020-09-29) (aged 78) Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
Genres	Country, pop
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, actor
Instruments	Vocals, guitar
Years active	1962–2020
Labels	Columbia, Casablanca, MCA
Associated acts	Nancy Sinatra, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, Crystal Gayle, Irving Berlin
Burial place	City of Lubbock Cemetery, Lubbock, Texas, U.S.

Mac Davis (born January 21, 1942 – died September 29, 2020) was a famous American country music singer, songwriter, and actor. He was born in Lubbock, Texas. Mac Davis became very successful as an artist whose music was popular in both country and pop charts. Early in his career, he wrote many hit songs for Elvis Presley, including "Memories" and "In the Ghetto". Later, in the 1970s, he had his own big hits like "Baby, Don't Get Hooked on Me". Mac Davis also had his own TV show, acted in movies, and performed in a Broadway musical.

Biography

Early Life and Moving On

Mac Davis was born and grew up in Lubbock, Texas. His parents were Edith Irene and T. J. Davis. His father built things, and Mac lived with his sister Linda in apartments his father owned. Mac described his father as very religious and strict. Even though Mac was small, he often got into fights when he was young. He said, "In those days, it was all about football, rodeo, and fistfights." He graduated from Lubbock High School at 16. To get away from his hometown, he moved to Atlanta where his mother lived.

Becoming a Songwriter

In Atlanta, Mac Davis started a rock and roll band called the Zots. They released two singles. He also worked for record companies like Vee Jay and Liberty Records, helping to manage their music in different regions.

Mac Davis Lane in Mac Davis's hometown of Lubbock.

Mac Davis became well-known as a songwriter. He started working for Nancy Sinatra's company, Boots Enterprises, Inc., in the late 1960s. He played on many of her songs and joined her on stage. His songs were published by Boots Enterprises. During this time, he wrote famous songs like "In the Ghetto" and "Memories". These songs were recorded by Elvis Presley, Nancy Sinatra, and others. For a short time, he used the name "Scott Davis" for his songwriting to avoid confusion with another writer named Mack David. In 1970, Mac Davis left Boots Enterprises to sign with Columbia Records, taking his songs with him.

One of his songs, "A Little Less Conversation" (written in 1968), was recorded by Elvis Presley. Years later, it became a huge hit for Elvis after his death. Elvis also recorded "In the Ghetto" and other Mac Davis songs like "Don't Cry Daddy". Bobby Goldsboro also recorded Mac Davis's song "Watching Scotty Grow", which became a number one hit in 1971. Many other artists, including Kenny Rogers, recorded his songs. "I Believe in Music" is often called Mac Davis's signature song. Many artists recorded it before it became a hit for the group Gallery in 1972.

In the 1970s, many of Mac Davis's songs were popular on both country and pop music charts. These included "Baby, Don't Get Hooked on Me" (a number one hit), "One Hell of a Woman", and "Stop and Smell the Roses". He also started acting and hosted a successful TV variety show. In 2013, he helped write the hit song "Young Girls" for Bruno Mars.

Success as a Singer

Davis performing in 1986

Mac Davis decided to start his own singing career in country music. He signed with Columbia Records in 1970. Two years later, he had his biggest success with "Baby Don't Get Hooked on Me". This song topped both the Country and Pop charts and sold over a million copies. It earned a gold disc award in 1972.

In 1974, Mac Davis won the Academy of Country Music's Entertainer of the Year award. He had other popular songs like "Stop and Smell the Roses" (a number one hit in 1974), "One Hell of a Woman", and "Rock 'N' Roll (I Gave You the Best Years of My Life)". In the late 1970s, he moved to Casablanca Records. His first hit for them in 1980 was the fun song "It's Hard to Be Humble". This song became a top 10 hit in Country music. Later that year, he had another top 10 song called "Let's Keep It That Way". He also had success with "Texas in My Rear View Mirror" and "Hooked on Music", which was his biggest Country music hit in 1981, reaching number 2.

On January 19, 1985, Mac Davis sang "God Bless the USA" at a special event for President Ronald Reagan.

Acting Career

From 1974 to 1976, Mac Davis hosted his own TV show on NBC, called The Mac Davis Show. He made his first movie appearance in the football film North Dallas Forty (1979). He was even named one of the "Promising New Actors of 1979" by Screen World magazine.

In 1980, Mac Davis was a guest host on The Muppet Show. He sang some of his famous songs like "Baby, Don't Get Hooked On Me" and "It's Hard To Be Humble". In 1983, he appeared in The Sting II.

Mac Davis also played the famous American humorist Will Rogers in the Broadway musical The Will Rogers Follies. He also toured the country with this show.

In 2000, Mac Davis was honored by being added to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. He also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to music.

From 2001 to 2003, Mac Davis lent his voice to the character Barber Bingo in the animated TV series Oswald. He also voiced characters like Sheriff Buford and "Sports Jock" on the animated series King of the Hill between 1999 and 2006. He had a recurring role as Rodney Carrington's father-in-law in the TV show Rodney.

Personal Life

Mac Davis was married three times and had three children.

• He married Fran Cook in 1963, and they had a son named Joel Scott. They later divorced.
• He then married Sarah Barg in 1971, and they divorced in 1976.
• In 1982, he married Lise Kristen Gerard. They had two children, Noah Claire and Cody Luke. They were married until Mac Davis passed away.

Mac Davis died on September 29, 2020, at the age of 78, after having heart surgery.

Discography

Filmography

Television

See also

In Spanish: Mac Davis para niños