R.I.P.: Bill Mack, Country Music Radio Personality, Songwriter

Bill Mack (June 4, 1932 – July 31, 2020)

Bill Mack, country singer-songwriter and the “Midnight Cowboy,” died Friday morning from COVID-19.

He was 88, reports the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram.

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 820 AM. 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.”

I’m deeply saddened to tell you that my Dad passed away early this morning due to COVID-19 with underlying conditions. He was an amazing father, grandfather, great grandfather and husband to my mom. I’m blessed to have had not only a great dad but my best friend as well. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Bub4Q2C02n

— Billy Mack (@BillyMackRadio) July 31, 2020

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.



He left WBAP to launch a similar program on Sirius/XM satellite radio in 2001. He remained there until 2011, then returned to terrestrial radio on KSNZ in his hometown, Shamrock, Texas.

In addition to his trucking show, Bill Mack was the host of the nationally syndicated “Country Crossroads.” This gospel-oriented series was launched in 1969 and aired on more than 800 stations at its peak. He also hosted the syndicated “Overtime Top Ten Countdown” show.

In addition, Bill Mack was a television emcee. He hosted such syndicated series as The Buck Owens Show, The Bob Wills Show and Cowtown Jamboree. His radio show was translated into the cable TV series Country Crossroads.

He published an autobiography in 1971 titled Spins and Needles.