At the 2020 CMA Awards, Reba McEntire and Darius Rucker delivered a powerful rendition of “In the Ghetto,” a song written by the late Mac Davis in 1969 and recorded by the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley.
In 2020, the world said goodbye to Mac Davis, a country music legend whose songs touched millions. Best known for writing some of Elvis Presley’s biggest hits, Davis wasn’t just a songwriter – he was a performer, actor, and entertainer whose talent spanned decades.
The singer of “Baby Don’t Get Hooked on Me” died at 78 on September 29, 2020, and though he left a huge hole in the music industry, his legacy lives on through the artists inspired by his unparalleled talents.
“Thank you, dear Lord Jesus, for letting us know the man to whom you gave the most incredible talent,” said another country music legend, Reba McEntire, about her friend’s death.
She continued in the statement, “He entertained and spread joy to so many people. What a wonderful legacy he left all of us with his music. Mac was one of a kind. I’m so blessed to have been one of his many friends.”
Effortless harmonies
At the 54th Annual Country Music Association Awards, McEntire and her co-host Darius Rucker paid homage to the Hollywood Walk of Famer with a collaboration of Davis’ classic song, “In the Ghetto.”
“In the Ghetto” – famously recorded by Presley in 1969 – earned Davis, an actor and singer, his “first of three Grammy nods,” according to the LA Times.
McEntire and Rucker carried the weight of the song’s powerful lyrics, leaving the audience spellbound as they effortlessly harmonized the song that told the story of a boy that Davis knew when he was only five or six, who died after falling in with the “wrong people,” the Tennessean reports.
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As the final notes of “In the Ghetto” echoed through the venue, a photo of Davis flashed on the screen and the audience rose to their feet in a well-deserved standing ovation.
Elvis and Mac approve
Fans, both in the crowd and watching from home, took to social media to express their emotions.
“This is one of those songs that I can listen to all day! Darius and Reba sang this really well together. I believe both Elvis and Mac Davis would approve,” writes one online user in the comments section of the Facebook post shared by McEntire.
“My 2 top singers of all time: Reba & Darius, I love this duet! Their voices are complete harmony, and perfectly timed singing ‘In The Ghetto,’ brings a joy in my heart,” shares a second netizen.
A third user offers their applause, writing: “Great job Reba and Darius, I didn’t know Mac Davis wrote it until you told me. May he rest in peace. I know Elvis made it a classic and now I know you have too.”
The 54th Annual CMA Awards delivered many great moments, but none were as touching as Reba McEntire and Darius Rucker’s tribute to Mac Davis. Their performance of “In the Ghetto” wasn’t just about nostalgia – it was a reminder of the timeless power of music to tell stories, create change, and honor legends.
What do you think of this breathtaking performance? Please share your thoughts with us and then share this story so we can hear what others have to say!
