Bill Mack

For many years, Bill Mack was best known as the host of The Country Roads Show, (later U.S. 1 Trucking Show, and later still, Midnight Cowboy Trucking Show) the overnight Country music show on WBAP, a clear channel station in Fort Worth. Mack’s show catered primarily to truck drivers who traveled during the late-night hours. Its opening theme music was an instrumental rendition of “Orange Blossom Special”, performed by Felix Slatkin and his orchestra.

In the Country music industry, Mack was also a songwriter. His best-known song is “Blue,” one of LeAnn Rimes’ biggest hits. The song won Mack the Grammy Award for Best Country Song in 1997. Mack also wrote “Drinking Champagne,” which has been recorded by numerous artists. The song was a hit for Cal Smith in 1968, and again for George Strait in 1990 on his album Livin’ It Up. Some of his other songs have been recorded by Dean Martin, Ray Price, Jerry Lee Lewis and George Jones.

In 2000, Mack won the media category award given by the Grand Ole Opry. He was named to the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999, and the Country Music DJ and Radio Hall of Fame in 1982.