Mac Davis
Courtesy photo

Texas native Mac Davis, country music icon passed away Tuesday (Sept. 29, 2020). He died away following heart surgery, according to other sources.

This is a press release from Jeremy Westby of 2911 Media, Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Member Mac Davis has passed away at age 78. Some of his most legendary hits as an artist include, “Baby Don’t Get Hooked On Me,” “Naughty Girl,” “Texas In My Rear View Mirror,” and “Hooked On Music.” As a songwriter, Davis penned hits for artists such as Nancy Sinatra, Elvis Presley, B.J. Thomas, Bobby Goldsboro, Vicki Carr, Perry Como, and many more. While living in California, Davis began acting, appearing in The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard In Hollywood, Murder She Wrote, Where The Red Fern Grows, Beer For My Horses, and more. Davis was not only a poetic prodigy, but a friend to many in the music and entertainment industry.

Fellow artists mourn the loss of their friend and share fond memories that have left them forever inspired by the timeless, Mac Davis.

“American music has just lost a premiere singer, songwriter, entertainer, and a genuinely great human being. In a year already fraught with sacrifice and loss this is another one that is hard to process. Goodbye Mac Davis… until the day…” – Joe, Duane, William Lee, Richard – The Oak Ridge Boys

“Mac Davis was such a great guy and an amazing writer. One of the best in the business and a wonderful friend. This is a huge loss to the music industry. His family is in my prayers.” – B.J. Thomas

“There’s no way to express the grief that we feel about Mac Davis. The entertainment industry will miss this great talent and beautiful American. We pray for his family and those that love him” – Lee Greenwood 

“This is another loss for the greatest era in American contemporary music with the passing of this extremely talented soul, Mac Davis” – Sam Moore

“I cherish the tours I had with Mac Davis and was thrilled to work the Nevada casinos with him. He made a huge impact in our world of country music, and greatly respected. Love you Mac.” –  Janie Fricke

“We’ve just lost one of the greatest singer/songwriters that I’ve known in my lifetime. Say Hello To Heaven Mac Davis.” – David Frizzell

“I’m so very heartbroken with the loss of Mac Davis, one of the world’s greatest writers, singers, and actors, but above all of that, he was a dear friend. He was always quick to shed light on other’s talents and help them shine. I’m grieving for his precious wife Lise and their family. I pray God will comfort her during this very sad and difficult time. I’ll always cherish the memories he pressed between the pages of my mind.” – Kelly Lang

“Mac Davis was a music trifecta: he could write, he could sing, he could entertain—and he was great at all three. In the mid-’70s, I remember inching up to the television as a boy and watching the Mac Davis Show. My favorite part of the show was when Mac ventured into the crowd and asked the audience members to shout out a person, place, or thing. He then asked them to give him a scenario, and on the spot, he would make up a song. No wonder he became a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

It was a big moment for me when I met and worked with my hero years later. The last time I saw Mac we were in the studio together and he was singing me one Beatles’ song after another as his alter ego Max Birnbaum. I laughed until I cried. Mac had a wicked sense of humor. He will be missed. We have lost one of the greats.” – Tim Atwood

“I came across Mac Davis telling a story about Elvis. He’d been invited to see a movie with Elvis at a theater. He told the story in such a warm and funny way that I watched him tell it several times and actually wished I could have met him. Then I learned that he wrote the song “Memories” and I was really moved. This is such a beautiful, incomparable song that words can’t express my admiration for it. Here’s to Mac Davis. You were a Good Ol Boy for sure and I sure wish I could have met you for a beer or two.” – Don McLean

“I am praying for my friend Mac Davis and his family. I can’t believe this and will see you on the other side. I love you Mac!” – Johnny Lee

“I am very saddened to hear about the passing of Mac Davis. I met him at Vince Gill’s golf tournament and I saw him at that same event for several years. He was always fun and funny! What a songwriter.  “In The Ghetto” is one of the best songs ever! Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. God Bless.” – T. Graham Brown

“Thank you Mac for all the amazing songs you’ve contributed and shared with the world …. “A Little Less Conversation” and a lot more. God bless.” – Andrew Farriss 

“Bunches and bunches of love with angels all around. Love you Mac!” – Lacy J. Dalton

“It’s strange, out of the blue last week, I was thinking about Mac Davis and his television show I watched when I was young. I thought that the most memorable part of the show is when he would go into the audience and ask someone to make up a song title. He would then, on the spot, create a small song with the title. It was incredible. He was an unbelievable songwriter and singer and will be so missed.” – Jeff Carson

Press release from 2911 Enterprises, with additional info and photos by Mary Jane Farmer, Scene In Town

Performance marks The Oak Ridge Boys‘ 45th consecutive appearance at The Kentucky State Fair

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Kentucky State Fair announced that legendary country music quartet, The Oak Ridge Boys will perform the national anthem on Saturday, Aug. 29, at The World’s Championship Horse Show. The performance will mark the group’s 45th consecutive appearance at the Kentucky State Fair, a record unmatched by any other touring act.

The Oak Ridge Boys were originally scheduled to perform on the Fair’s Texas Roadhouse Concert Series stage. However, the modification of the 2020 Kentucky State Fair as a participant-only show necessitated the cancellation of the full performance. In spite of that, The Oak Ridge Boys were determined to find a way to keep their record of consecutive performances going.

Extraordinary cooperation between The Kentucky State Fair, The World’s Championship Horse Show, and The Oak Ridge Boys is keeping this remarkable record intact. Continued support from Texas Roadhouse includes catering for the band provided by the Louisville-based company.

Duane Allen, lead singer of The Oak Ridge Boys said, “The Kentucky State Fair is always circled on our calendar. It’s an honor to perform the national anthem at The World’s Championship Horse Show this year. We can’t wait for this very special opportunity.”

Attendance at The World’s Championship Horse Show will be limited to participants only. Pay-Per-View live coverage event is available.

The 2020 Kentucky State Fair is Aug. 20-30 at the Kentucky Exposition Center. For more information, visit www.kystatefair.orghttp://www.kystatefair.org or find the Fair on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or its blog.

About The Oak Ridge Boys:
The Oak Ridge Boys have sold over 41 million units worldwide and are synonymous with “America, apple pie, baseball, and country music.” In addition to their awards and accolades in the country music field, the Oaks have garnered five GRAMMY® Awards, nine GMA DOVE Awards, and two American Music Awards. The group—Joe Bonsall (bass singer), Duane Allen lead singer,(born in Lamar County, near Paris, Texas), William Lee Golden, and Richard Sterban, members of the prestigious Country Music Hall of Fame (2015 Inductees) and the Grand Ole Opry (since 2011)—is known worldwide as one of recording history’s most extraordinary musical successes. They have charted single after single and album after album, celebrating two double-platinum albums and more than 30 Top 10 hits, including No. 1 chart-toppers “Elvira,” “Bobbie Sue,” “Thank God For Kids,” “American Made,” and “Y’All Come Back Saloon,” among dozens more.

Lead singer Duane Allen is a 1966 graduate of East Texas State University (Commerce, Texas),  is an inductee into the Texas Gospel Music Hall of Fame and in 2014, was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame, which also inducted the other three in the trio as honorary inductees.

The Oak Ridge Boys are scheduled to play at the Arlington Music Hall, 224 N. Center St., in Arlington on Saturday, Sept. 26. The concert is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.

For more information and to view upcoming tour dates for The Oak Ridge Boys, please visit oakridgeboys.com.

Charlie Daniels, Oct. 8, 2018, at Choctaw Casino Event Center, Grant, Okla.

Press Release from Jeremy Westby, 2911 Media, with inserts and photos from Mary Jane Farmer, Scene In Town.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Country Music Hall of Fame, Grand Ole Opry member, and southern rock legend Charlie Daniels believed in and told musicians, then wrote it in a book, “Don’t look at the empty chairs.”

Now his chair is empty!

Charlie Daniels passed away on the morning of Monday, July 6, 2020, at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tennessee. Doctors determined the cause of death was a hemorrhagic stroke. Mr. Daniels was 83.

Tanya Wolfe, of Choctaw Casinos, talked with admiration about having hosted Charlie Daniels, at the Grant, Oklahoma, facility’s event center. The second concert was in October 2018, where and when the photos used here were taken.

“We have had Charlie Daniels here twice. Both shows were top notch! The first time he was here, it was only their second stop (show) after losing their longtime keyboardist in a car accident. Even with their loss, they continued the shows and performed at top notch. It had to be so emotional for them because all collateral and marketing was already out and included photos with him.

“They were so kind and great to work with! Not demanding at all and so appreciative. Great group of guys. They love America and aren’t afraid to say it. Their first show, our military had not gotten Osama Bin Ladin yet, and his drum set was a pic of osama with a target on it.  Lol.  I will never forget that.

“And he could still play the heck out of that fiddle!”

Charlie Daniels was a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist known for his contributions to Southern rock and bluegrass in addition to country. From his Dove Award-winning gospel albums to his genre-defining southern rock anthems and his CMA Award-winning country hits, Charlie Daniels left a more indelible mark on America’s musical landscape few other artists. An outspoken patriot, beloved mentor, and a true road warrior, Daniels parlayed his passion for music into a multi-platinum career and a spotlight supporting the military, underprivileged children, and others in need. The Charlie Daniels Band has long populated radio with memorable hits such as the signature song, “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.”

Over the course of his career, Daniels received numerous accolades, including becoming a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 2008, inductions into the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2009, and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2016. He helped to shine the spotlight on the many causes that are close to his heart. He was a staunch supporter of the military and gave his time and talent to numerous charitable organizations including The Journey Home Project, which he founded in 2014 with his long-time manager, David Corlew, to help veterans of the United States Armed Forces.

Fellow artists mourn the loss of their friend and share fond memories that have left them forever inspired by Charlie Daniels.

“I will truly miss my friend and fellow Country Music Hall Of Fame member, Charlie Daniels. He was one of the most honest and genuinely nice people in the business. I will miss our talks. We shared lots of memories and supported each other. My prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues.” – Charley Pride

“All of The Oak Ridge Boys are saddened and devastated by this sudden and immeasurable loss. Charlie was not only a dear friend but a patriot who loved Jesus and loved the USA. It is all so very hard to process right now…We will miss Charlie, but we know where he is… The Everlasting Arms of HIS and OUR Savior hold him now…Until The Day Charlie…Until the DAY…prayers for Hazel.” – Joe Bonsall of The Oak Ridge Boys

Band member and friend

“What a loss and a shock – we can hardly put this in words. Charlie was such a beloved part of our community! He was a great friend and a fellow patriot. I will always cherish the countless shows we worked together over the decades and our backstage talks. He leaves an immeasurable mark on country and southern rock music. Charlie was a great leader and philanthropist, incredibly humble and one of the biggest supporters of our armed forces and veterans. I loved standing in the wings when he took the stage – he was powerful and magical – he left other artists in awe and every audience on their feet! We love you, Charlie, and will forever cherish our friendship.” – Lee and Kim Greenwood

“I recall a show I played in West Texas with Charlie, what a great talent and personality he was, and so respected in the music world. He and his memory are cherished and loved by all.” – Janie Fricke

“I’m hurt. Charlie was one of the nicest guys in country music. He was always there to help anyone and he will be missed by all.” – Johnny Lee

“It’s hard to imagine country music without Charlie Daniels and the world will never be the same. Thankfully he left a legacy like no other that we can reflect on. You are loved and you will be missed!” – Shane Owens

Charlie Daniels with Band Member and Friend

Funeral arrangements will be announced in the coming days.

Personal note from Jeremy Westby, former Charlie Daniels‘ publicist:
“I had the pleasure of representing Charlie Daniels and his charity, The Journey Home Project, for many years. He headlined a concert at the Air Force Academy back in 1998. I’ll never forget how Charlie could shred that bow and keep the audience at the edge of their seats. I didn’t have the pleasure of talking to him then but as the years passed and my career came full-circle, I did – and then some. Charlie was much more than a client. He welcomed me and my family into his home on holidays, we had media junkets to New York and more wonderful experiences than I can count. To say he leaves an indelible mark on our community is an absolute understatement. I will forever cherish the moments we had, and being part of the team to help guide his induction to the Country Music Hall of Fame will never be forgotten!

My heart goes out to (family) Hazel, David, Bebe, Paula, Angela, Charlie Jr. and the rest of The CDB (Charlie’s band). Love to you all.”

Longtime friend Jerry Bolton, now of the Texas Hill Country said,  “Charlie touched so many people during his life . I’ve been listening to Charlie’s music all day today. Love it so much, plus the Gospel music is so great — that’s a side of Charlie that a lot of people never got to know.

“Charlie was a great friend, a mentor. We were friends for around 30 years. Met  Charlie thru my cousin, Stevie Ray Vaughan . Charlie was a God Fearing Man who believed in the Good Lord Jesus Christ, his family and friends, and the United States of America. We spent many times together talking about these subjects from the bus to the backstage at the (Grand Ole) Opera, Billy Bob’s Texas, and so many other places over the years.

“I have a hole in my heart today because of the loss of my friend Charlie Daniels, but I’m sure there have a Big Jam in Heaven with my old friend Merle Haggard, great uncle Jim Reeves, cousin Stevie Ray, and so many other talented Musicians.”