Song Painter will celebrate, educate and empower songwriters.
Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire remember their friend on the third anniversary of his passing.
NASHVILLE, Sept. 29, 2023 — On the third anniversary of legendary singer, songwriter Mac Davis’ passing, Mac Davis Enterprises today announced a new charitable fund set up to support causes and endeavors that were near and dear to Davis’ heart.
Established to honor the legacy of Mac Davis, Song Painter: The Mac Davis Fund for the Art of Songwriting aims to promote greater appreciation for the craft and artistry of songwriting, emphasizing its role as a universal language that transcends cultural and geographical boundaries.
The Song Painter Fund was realized through valuable guidance from Mac Davis’ widow, Lisë Davis, who will actively collaborate with advisors on what projects to fund. “Mac’s Foundation will work tirelessly to elevate the craft of songwriting by creating platforms where artists can explore new boundaries in musical storytelling,” said Davis. “Mac considered himself a songwriter above all else and I know he would want to support songwriters of the next generation.”
“I loved Mac, I still love Mac and think of him all the time. Mac was one of the greatest talents of all time, especially his songwriting and I was fortunate to have the honor of co-writing many songs with Mac,” said Dolly Parton. “The songs were good of course, but not nearly as good as the fun and the love we shared while we were writing them. I will cherish our friendship forever. Mac was always very supportive of me and helped me a great deal in my early years. I miss you Mac.”
“Few artists have been as prolific a song writer as Mac,” said Reba McEntire. “His lyrics have touched so many lives around the world. He has impacted people on stage, the silver screen, and TV with his lyrics, voice, and personality. His legacy will influence songwriters forever. I am so honored to have known him, and it’s been a privilege to call him my friend.”
The Song Painter Fund is designed to respond to the needs of emerging songwriters, and to foster creative innovation across the full spectrum of artistic activities, from workshops, to music and songwriting programs at high-profile institutions. It will actively support work by underrepresented songwriters and strive to recognize organizations that believe in the importance of the role music plays in human culture.
Davis first garnered widespread recognition when Elvis Presley recorded his poignant composition ‘In The Ghetto.’ Following the song’s success, Davis continued to write for Presley, creating other memorable hits like ‘Memories,’ ‘Don’t Cry Daddy’ and ‘A Little Less Conversation.’ Davis’s songwriting talent extended to other musical artists as well, including Bobby Goldsboro, Vikki Carr, Kenny Rogers and The First Edition, Nancy Sinatra, Bruno Mars, Weezer, and Avicii, to name a few.
Establishing the foundation marks the commencement of a multitude of projects envisioned to pay tribute to Davis’ enduring legacy. Considering the profound influence of his talent and the longevity of his career, the vision to perpetuate Davis’ story and dreams encompasses a diverse array of endeavors, including several books, a Broadway production and career retrospectives.
Fans can explore the all-new macdavis.com website, complete with a monthly blog, never before seen photos, videos and details from his decades-long music, songwriting and acting career. One-of-a-kind Mac Davis merchandise will also soon be available to purchase. Stay connected by subscribing to the Mac Davis newsletter to receive regular updates on how Davis’ remarkable legacy continues to ignite inspiration.
The Song Painter Fund will be administered by The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. To support visit: https://www.cfmt.org/giving-and-investing/become-a-donor/give-to-a-fund/song-painter-the-mac-davis-fund-for-the-art-of-songwriting
Mac Davis passed away on September 29, 2020, at the age of 78, following heart surgery. His legacy as a talented songwriter, singer, performer, and actor lives on, and he continues to be remembered for his contributions to the music industry.
About Mac Davis
Mac Davis was one of the most successful and respected singer-songwriters in popular recorded music history. He is best known for penning some of Elvis Presley’s most beloved songs, including “Memories,” “In the Ghetto,” “Don’t Cry Daddy,” and “A Little Less Conversation,” while also penning hits for Avicii, Bruno Mars, Dolly Parton, and Weezer, amongst others, throughout his illustrious career. Davis also enjoyed success as a solo artist in the 1970s, with hits like “Baby, Don’t Get Hooked on Me.” In addition to his music career, Davis was a versatile performer who appeared in a variety of TV shows, films, and on Broadway. His contributions to popular culture have earned him a place among the greats and have left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry worldwide. For more information, visit macdavis.com and follow @macdavis on Facebook, Instagram, X, Spotify and Apple Music.
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