Johnny MacRae obit

Songwriter Johnny MacRae Dead at 84

 

He was not on the list.

Johnny MacRae, who penned several hit country songs that you know and love, such as Conway Twitty's No. 1 track 'I'd Just Love to Lay You Down' and Reba McEntire's '(You Lift Me) Up to Heaven,' as well as Doug Stone's 'I'd Be Better Off (In a Pine Box),' died on Wednesday, July 3.

He was 84 and passed away after a battle with heart disease.

MacRae died at home in Ashland City, Tenn.

MacRae's widow Mary said that per her late husband's request, there will be no funeral. Instead, she will plan a celebration of MacRae's life, which is slated for Oct. 19. It will be a "full moon" affair, which will include a bonfire and hayrides. It is meant to replicate the annual event that MacRae held for music business friends at his farm.

The songwriter had quite an interesting career. He served in the Navy for 15 years and left military life behind with designs on the music industry. In recent years, he worked on his farm, raising feathered critters, ranging from geese to peacocks to ducks to pheasants to chickens. He and Mary also enjoyed making wine from various types of grapes and fruit.

The country music composer credited with 235 songs released by recording artists including Ray Charles, George Jones, and Reba McEntire. His best known songs include "You Can't Make a Heart Love Somebody" (George Strait), "Tonight the Heartache's on Me" (Dixie Chicks), "I'd Love to Lay You Down" (Conway Twitty), "I Still Believe in Waltzes" (Loretta Lynn & Conway Twitty), "When You Leave That Way You Can Never Go Back" (Confederate Railroad), "Goodbye Says It All" (Blackhawk), and "Living Proof" (Ricky Van Shelton).