Lubbock native country-pop singer, songwriter and actor Mac Davis was a true Lubbock Light. His early career saw success through Nancy Sinatra's Boot's Publishing, Inc., and achieved international recognition when Elvis Presley recorded his songs “Memories” and “In the Ghetto.” Davis also pursued his own successful solo career producing many hits including "Baby, Don't Get Hooked on Me, “Stop and Smell the Roses,” and “It's Hard to Be Humble;” but a local fan favorite is “Texas in My Rear View Mirror. He was a Grammy nominated artist, and named the Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year in 1974. As an actor, he hosted The Mac Davis Show on NBC, appeared on The Muppet Show and was cast in numerous films. His debut film cast him in a co-starring role opposite of Nick Nolte in North Dallas Forty.
Let's celebrate Mac Davis's music and legacy together by remembering him through an evening of conversation and listening to some of his best-known tunes. This Texas Tech University Presidential Lecture & Performance Series Lubbock Lights special event- hosted by Kenny Maines will feature many local musicians covering his songs to honor Mac Davis's contribution to the world of entertainment.
About Lubbock Lights
In the spring of 2015, regional artists Wade Bowen, Butch Hancock, Terri Hendrix and Lloyd Maines paired up with Texas Tech University to launch an event series called “Lubbock Lights: Celebrating the Musical Heritage of the South Plains.” The event, sponsored by the Office of the President and conducted by the Presidential Lecture & Performance Series, features discussions and performances by local and regional musical artists and gives attendees an inside look at the creative processes and inspirations that go into each artist's work. The weeklong festival consists of the participating artists visiting dozens of classrooms to discuss their process & offer insights to students within & outside Texas Tech University and culminates in a concert accessible to all on the Allen Theatre stage in the TTU Student Union Building on campus.