Net Worth Ranker
What Is Mac Davis’ Net Worth?
At the time of his passing on September 29, 2020, Mac Davis, the celebrated American country music singer, songwriter, and actor, possessed a net worth estimated at $12 million. This substantial wealth was accumulated over a multi-decade career marked by success in various facets of the entertainment industry. While precise details of his assets are not publicly available, his wealth can be attributed to several key income streams.
Sources of Mac Davis’ Net Worth
Music Royalties and Songwriting: A significant portion of Mac Davis’ net worth stemmed from his prolific songwriting career. He penned numerous hits for himself and other artists, most notably Elvis Presley. Davis wrote “A Little Less Conversation” and “In the Ghetto” for Elvis, two songs that generated substantial royalties over the years. Although the precise royalty rates and earnings from these songs are not publicly disclosed, successful compositions typically earn royalties from radio airplay, album sales, and licensing for use in films, television, and commercials. These royalty streams would have contributed significantly to Davis’ income throughout his career. While his catalog also included songs recorded by Willie Nelson and others, the earnings from these are not detailed in the publicly available information.
Album Sales: Mac Davis released 19 studio albums, with several achieving significant commercial success. His 1972 album, “Baby, Don’t Get Hooked on Me,” achieved Platinum certification, indicating sales of at least one million copies. His 1974 album, “Stop and Smell the Roses,” also reached Platinum status. “It’s Hard to Be Humble” in 1980 was certified Gold, signifying sales of at least 500,000 copies. While exact sales figures beyond these certifications are unavailable, the sales of these albums and others in his discography contributed to his overall earnings. Album sales revenue typically involves deductions for production costs, marketing expenses, and record label shares, so the net income to Davis would have been a portion of the total revenue generated.
Singles Sales and Airplay: Davis’ single “Baby, Don’t Get Hooked on Me” topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart, as well as the US Adult Contemporary, Canadian Country, and Canadian Adult Contemporary charts. Chart-topping singles generated income from sales and radio airplay royalties. Although specific details on the sales and radio play numbers are not public, a number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100 would have resulted in significant revenue for Davis. His other successful singles, such as “One Hell of a Woman,” “Stop and Smell the Roses,” and “I Never Made Love (Till I Made It with You),” also added to his income through sales and airplay royalties. The rates for these royalties would have varied depending on the agreements Davis had with his record label and publishing company.
Acting Roles: Mac Davis expanded his income streams through acting, including his role as Carl on the television series “Rodney” from 2004 to 2006. While the specific details of his salary for this role are not publicly available, acting in a television series for multiple seasons would have provided a steady income. He also appeared in films such as “North Dallas Forty,” “The Sting II,” “The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard in Hollywood,” and “Beer for My Horses.” Although the specific payment for these movie roles has not been disclosed, film acting usually provides lump-sum payments.
Mac Davis’ Career Highlights
Early Career (1970s): Davis’ debut studio album, “Song Painter,” was released in 1970. This marked the beginning of his journey as a recording artist. In 1972, his album “Baby, Don’t Get Hooked on Me” achieved Platinum status and reached #11 on the Billboard 200 chart. The title single topped several charts, showcasing his breakthrough success. The 1974 album “Stop and Smell the Roses” also went Platinum and peaked at #13 on the Billboard 200 chart and #2 on the US Country chart, further solidifying his position in the music industry. While exact income figures for these early years are not public, the certifications and chart positions indicate substantial earnings during this period.
Continued Success (1980s and Beyond): In 1980, “It’s Hard to Be Humble” earned Gold certification and reached #3 on the US Country chart. This album extended his commercial appeal into the 1980s. He continued to release albums and perform live concerts, maintaining a steady presence in the country music scene. Detailed financial records for these later years are not available, but the continued activity suggests a consistent income stream.
