Texas’ ‘Midnight Cowboy’ Bill Mack dies of COVID-19 Friday morning, family says
Bill Mack, country singer-songwriter and the “Midnight Cowboy,” died Friday morning from COVID-19. He was 88.
His son Billy Mack Smith posted news of his father’s death on Facebook, and said Mack had underlying health conditions.
“He was an amazing father, grandfather, great grandfather and husband to my mom,” his son wrote. “I’m blessed to have had not only a great dad but my best friend as well.”
Mack was born in Shamrock, Texas, and was a musician and a radio host at WBAP. His show was named the “Midnight Cowboy Trucking Show” for its overnight airing that catered to truckers and millions of others, beginning in 1969, according to the Texas Heritage Songwriters’ Association.
“Nobody in broadcasting has a more recognizable voice than Bill Mack,” according to the association. “He has been heard on radio, seen on television, heard on records and featured in various publications for years.”
He has been honored as the “Country Music DJ Of The Year,” “Mr. DJ USA,” “Texas’ Number One Country DJ’” and he is a member of the “Country Music DJ Hall-Of-Fame” in Nashville.
Mack wrote “Drinking Champagne,” which was sung by fellow Texan George Strait. His song “Blue,” covered by LeAnn Rimes in 1996, won a Grammy for Country Song of the Year.
Many took to social media to pay their respects to the famed radio host.
Eric Harley, former radio partner and long-time friend, called Mack a legend and sent prayers to his family and friends via Twitter.
Rimes posted on Twitter that she was sad to hear the news and sent love to his family.
“I am forever grateful for him and the music he created,” she said. “We’ll be ‘Blue’ without you Bill.”
Many others posted on both Facebook and Twitter how they would listen to Mack overnight and those memories would never be forgotten.
A former truck driver posted on Facebook that Mack was with him through 3 million miles of driving. Another fan posted that Mack helped the American trucker more than he ever knew. She called him a pioneer and someone who loved their work.
“He truly was the Midnight Cowboy,” she wrote. “He will truly be missed by many.”
