Country Radio Hall of Famer and Grammy winner Bill Mack passed away today (7/31) from coronavirus. He was 88. Mack’s son, Villecom KSTV/Stephenville, TX PD Billy Mack Smith, shared the news via Facebook saying, “I’m deeply saddened to tell you 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.”

Mack’s work with WBAP-AM/Fort Worth beginning in 1969 earned him the nickname Radio’s Midnight Cowboy. He also hosted the syndicated Country Crossroads, which was heard on more than 800 stations and spent time with XM Satellite Radio. As a songwriter, Mack penned and first released “Blue,” which was made famous by LeAnn Rimes in 1996 and earned Mack a Grammy for Best Country Song. He also wrote “Drinking Champagne,” which was recorded by Cal Smith and George Strait, who took it top 5 in 1990. Mack’s songs have been recorded by more than 60 artists, including George Jones, Ray Price and Jerry Lee Lewis. He was named to the Country Radio Hall of Fame in 1982 and the Texas Radio Hall of Fame and Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999. Read local coverage of Mack’s life and career from KVUE-TV/Austin here and WFAA-TV/Dallas here. Services are pending.