Country star and hit Elvis songwriter Mac Davis dies at 78

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Country star Mac Davis, who launched his career crafting the Elvis hits 'œA Little Less Conversation'ť and 'œIn the Ghetto,'ť and whose own hits include 'œBaby Don't Get Hooked On Me,'ť has died. He was 78.

His longtime manager Jim Morey said in a press release that Davis died in Nashville on Tuesday after heart surgery and was surrounded by family and friends.

Davis had a long and varied career in music for decades as a writer, singer, actor and TV host and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2006. He was named 1974's entertainer of the year by the Academy of Country Music and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

'œThank you, dear Lord Jesus, for letting us know the man to whom you gave the most incredible talent,'ť said Reba McEntire in a statement. 'œHe entertained and spread joy to so many people. What a wonderful legacy he left all of us with his music. Mac was one of a kind. I'm so blessed to have been one of his many friends.'ť

Born in Lubbock, Texas, and raised in Georgia, Davis was inspired by fellow Lubbock native Buddy Holly, but it was Elvis who gave him his first musical big break. Davis worked as a staff songwriter in Los Angeles for Nancy Sinatra's publishing company when in 1968 Presley cut the funky 'œA Little Less Conversation," which Davis had written with Aretha Franklin in mind.

Although it had a little success at the time, the song became a bigger hit after Presley's death, being covered by more than 30 artists and topping charts everywhere from Canada to Denmark. Davis' most licensed TV soundtrack song, 'œA Little Less Conversation'ť reached No. 1 in the UK in 2002 after it was used in a Nike commercial and was featured in the hit movie 'œOcean's 11.'ť

Davis also helped craft the sentimental 'œMemories'ť that was a cornerstone of Elvis' celebrated 1968 comeback TV special, and two other songs that were key to Presley's revival: The somber ballads 'œIn the Ghetto'ť and 'œDon't Cry Daddy,'ť both top 10 singles which marked rare times Presley covered material with any kind of political or social message.

'œIn the Ghetto'ť was the story of a young Black man raised in poverty who turns to crime and ends up dead, a story Davis would say was based on a childhood friend. 'œDon't Cry Daddy,'ť in which a son consoles his grieving father after the boy's mother dies, appealed personally to Presley, who lost his beloved mother when he was in his early 20s.

'œA small town boy who'd achieved the greatest kinds of fame, he remained a good guy, a family man,'ť said country star Kenny Chesney. 'œThat was Mac: a giant heart, quick to laugh and a bigger creative spirit. I was blessed to have it shine on me. And Mac, who was joyous, funny and created a family around him, never stopped writing great songs, creating music and inspiring everyone around him."

Davis got a recording deal of his own in 1970, recording 'œHooked on Music," 'œIt's Hard to be Humble,'ť and 'œTexas in my Rearview Mirror,'ť and getting crossover success on pop charts. He had his own TV series, 'œThe Mac Davis Show'ť on NBC, and also acted in TV and film, including alongside Nick Nolte in the football film 'œNorth Dallas Forty.'ť He even starred on Broadway, in 'œThe Will Rogers Follies'ť and toured with the musical. The group Gallery had a hit on his song 'œI Believe in Music.'ť

'œHe was the songwriter behind some of the most iconic and timeless songs that transcend genres and generations and was named a BMI Icon in 2015,'ť said BMI President and CEO Mike O'Neil. 'œBeyond his extraordinary talent, Mac was a dedicated friend and advocate for songwriters everywhere.'ť

He also wrote songs recorded by Kenny Rogers ('œSomething's Burning'ť), Dolly Parton ("White Limozeen") and Ray Price ('œLonesomest Lonesome'ť). He was still writing later in life, getting co-writing credits on songs by Avicii ( 'œAddicted to You") and Bruno Mars ("Young Girls.")

'œToday our country community lost an amazing entertainer, songwriter and artist,'ť said Sarah Trahern, CEO of CMA.'¯'œI remember watching Mac's TV show as a kid as well as his three years co-hosting the CMA Awards with Barbara Mandrell, which proved his command of the TV medium as well as the music.'ť