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Mac Davis: Legendary country singer ‘critically ill’ after heart surgery

Davis wrote hits including Elvis Presley’s ‘In the Ghetto’ and ‘Memories’ 

Annabel Nugent
Tuesday 29 September 2020 08:50 BST
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(Rex Features)

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Iconic country songwriter Mac Davis is in critical condition following heart surgery, his family has announced.

In a brief post shared on Monday (28 September), the musician’s family wrote: “We are sorry to report that legendary singer/songwriter Mac Davis is critically ill following heart surgery in Nashville. Your love and prayers will be deeply appreciated at this time.”

The post concludes with the hashtag #PrayforMacDavis, which fans are using to voice their support for the singer on social media.

Since it was posted, the message has been shared by country music icon Dolly Parton in solidarity with Davis.

The Texan native began his career working as a songwriter for Elvis Presley in 1969. Davis is behind hits such as “In the Ghetto”, “Memories” and “Don’t Cry Daddy”.

His songwriting catalogue also includes Glen Campbell’s “Everything a Man Could Ever Need” and “Something’s Burning” performed by Kenny Rogers and the First Edition.

While he is primarily known as a songwriter, Davis is a prominent country singer too. He earned a Grammy nomination with his 1972 song “Baby Don’t Get Hooked On Me”.

The 78-year-old has received worldwide recognition for his contribution to music. He was named the Academy of Country Music’s Entertainer of the Year in 1974 and received a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1998. 

In 2000, Davis was admitted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame before he entered the national Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2006.

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