Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Mac Davis was country music's entertainer of the year in 1974.
Lubbock legend Mac Davis was remembered by family and friends during a monument dedication last week at the city of Lubbock Cemetery.
Davis was a Lubbock native who made a national name for himself as a star of music, stage and screen, writing songs performed by the likes of Elvis Presley - including "In the Ghetto" and "A Little Less Conversation" - and performing a number of his own hits including "Baby, Don't Get Hooked On Me."
His entertainment career lasted more than 50 years.
He was named the Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year in 1974 and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2006.
Davis died in September 2020 at 78. He was laid to rest at the Lubbock City Cemetery.
His wife, Lisa Davis, attended the Thursday evening event, which saw a new headstone and benches placed at his gravesite.
"He would be so honored that you all came to dedicate his forever resting place," Davis said.
The headstone, which along with his name and dates of birth and death, simply calls Mac Davis a "songwriter" and features the image of a guitar.
Lisa Davis said she was thankful for being able to bring Mac to his hometown, where he always intended to come.
Mac loved Lubbock, she said, adding he always wanted to be here and he never left Lubbock in his heart.
Friends and family were present to reflect on their time with Mac Davis and witness the unveiling of the monument.
"I love Mac Davis and I loved his songs for years," said Steve Beasley, a former Avalanche-Journal publisher and friend of Mac Davis. "I loved how he knew where his songwriting gift came from, he wrote about it, he sang about it, he lived his faith. He was a spiritual man, and he shared his faith with us in his songs. Rest in peace, Mac."
Lubbock musician and promoter Don Caldwell said he cannot say enough about what Mac Davis meant to him and the community.
"He celebrated Lubbock and he was proud of being from Lubbock and just wanted to give back to this community because he loved it so much," Caldwell said.
Mac Davis was a tremendous influence on musicians and he was a mentor to many people, Caldwell added.
"You hear the word genius overused - this man was a genius," Caldwell said. "I am talking to you, Mac. We all love you and we're so happy that you're resting here at home."
