A native of Lubbock, Texas, he enjoyed success as a crossover artist[2] and writing for Elvis Presley during his early career, providing him with the hits "Memories", "In the Ghetto", "Don't Cry Daddy", and "A Little Less Conversation".

Mac Davis eventually recorded the tune after Presley's version became a success, and was released in a Ronco In Concert compilation in 1975.

Presley continued to record more of Davis's material, such as "Memories", "Don't Cry Daddy", and "Clean Up Your Own Backyard".

"I Believe in Music", often considered to be Davis's signature song, was recorded by several artists (including Marian Love, B.J.

Thomas, Louis Jordan, Perry Como, Helen Reddy, Lynn Anderson, and Davis himself) before it finally became a success in 1972 for the group Gallery.

[2] Also, during the 1970s and 1980s, he was very active as an actor, appearing in several movies, including 1979's North Dallas Forty, as well as hosting a successful variety show.

[3][4][5] In 2010, Davis co-wrote the song "Time Flies" with Rivers Cuomo which appeared on Weezer's Hurley album.

In 2013 he was part of the Los Angeles writing and producing team that created the hit "Young Girls" for Bruno Mars.

At the end of the 1970s, he was signed by Neil Bogart and moved to Casablanca Records, which was best known at the time for its successes with disco star Donna Summer and rock'n'roll band Kiss.

In November, "Rock 'N' Roll (I Gave You the Best Years of My Life)" was played by KHJ in Los Angeles as its last song before it switched from Top 40 to Country music.

[citation needed] Davis also starred in the 1981 comedy film Cheaper To Keep Her, playing a divorced detective who worked for a neurotic feminist attorney.

[3][4][5] In November 1991, Davis checked into the Betty Ford Clinic, marking the beginning of his commitment to sobriety.

Following each show, Davis shared his journey to sobriety and urged anyone battling addiction to attend an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.

[3][4][5] In 2001, Davis played a fellow karaoke competitor to Jon Gries's Sunny Holiday in the Polish brothers' film Jackpot.

In the film, a dispute began between Sunny's manager, played by Garrett Morris, and Davis's character about what song he should sing.

[citation needed] In 2000, Davis hosted Labor of Love, a live FM radio show for KZLA Los Angeles.

[2] The Liberty job got him to Los Angeles and made it easier to "pitch his own tunes" to record producers.