Country music stars are speaking out after the loss of Mac Davis. The singer, songwriter and performer, credited with penning some of country music’s most iconic songs, died on September 29, following heart surgery. He was 78 years old when he passed away.

“Goodbye to my great friend Mac Davis,” Kenny Chesney said, as part of a lengthy statement posted on social media. “⁣I met Mac as a young artist just starting out on my journey, when he was already a legend and a songwriting hero to me. He welcomed me into his home, and turned that tremendous creative light on me. Even though he’d written ‘In The Ghetto’ for Elvis and had so many incredible hits of his own, he made me feel like what I was doing mattered.

“A small town boy who’d achieved the greatest kinds of fame, he remained a good guy, a family man,” Kenny continued. “That was Mac: a giant heart, quick to laugh and a bigger creative spirit. I was blessed to have it shine on me.⁣ And Mac, who was joyous, funny and created a family around him, never stopped writing great songs, creating music and inspiring everyone around him.⁣”

Goodbye to my great friend Mac Davis. pic.twitter.com/enll3MAQ4O

— Kenny Chesney (@kennychesney) September 30, 2020

“Sad news today as I learned Mac Davis has passed away,” Collin Raye said in a statement. “Yet another music giant leaves us in 2020. Mac was a very kind man. Easy to be around. I first met Mac in 1994 at our Number One party for my song ‘Little Rock.’ I remember being stunned that a writer/artist of that magnitude took the time to show up and share that moment with me.

“Mac was a true voice of my youth,” he added. “From the songs he wrote early on for artists like Kenny Rogers and The First Edition and Bobby Goldsboro, to his own huge hits as an artist like ‘Baby, Don’t Get Hooked On Me,’ ‘Texas In My Rear View Mirror,’ ‘Hooked On Music,’ which was my favorite, and ‘It’s Hard to Be Humble.’ He was a truly tremendous talent. May God be with you, Mac. At this moment and forever.”

“Thank you, dear Lord Jesus, for letting us know the man to whom you gave the most incredible talent,” said Reba McEntire. “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.”

“I am heartbroken this morning learning of the passing of my friend Mac Davis,” Jake Owen tweeted. “He was an incredible songwriter and guitar player. He’d penned songs for Elvis to Avicii. More importantly, he was a great husband and a father. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. Love ya Mac.”

I am heartbroken this morning learning of the passing of my friend Mac Davis. He was an incredible songwriter and guitar player. He’d penned songs for Elvis to Avicii. More importantly, he was a great husband and a father. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. Love ya Mac

— Jake Owen (@jakeowen) September 30, 2020

“Mac Davis was a Texan,” said Larry Gatlin. “That’s a good place to start. He was one of the very best singer-songwriter-entertainers… ever! He was funny. Very funny! He was a good golfer. He always thought he could beat me and he did beat me, about half the time, which helped make for a great friendship. Last night, he did beat me. He beat me to Heaven. See ya later, old friend. I miss ya already.”

“There’s no way to express the grief that we feel about Mac Davis,” posted Lee Greenwood. “The entertainment industry will miss this great talent and beautiful American. We pray for his family and those that love him.”

There’s no way to express the grief that we feel about Mac Davis. The entertainment industry will miss this great talent and beautiful American. We pray for his family and those that love him.

— Lee Greenwood (@TheLeeGreenwood) September 30, 2020

“Very sad tonight!” Travis Tritt tweeted. “I just heard that legendary singer, songwriter and actor, Mac Davis has passed away after heart surgery. I grew up watching The Mac Davis show and loving his talent. This is heartbreaking!”

Very sad tonight! I just heard that legendary singer, songwriter and actor, Mac Davis has passed away after heart surgery. I grew up watching The Mac Davis show and loving his talent. This is heartbreaking!

— Travis Tritt (@Travistritt) September 30, 2020

“So saddened with the loss of Mac Davis and my heart is so heavy for his family, friends and fans,” Jeannie Seely said. “I have never heard of anyone who didn’t love Mac….everything about him. I just recently featured him on my SXM show and talked about his humor as well as his writing and that, like Roger Miller, he had a way of putting it all together. He will be remembered with love and laughter.”

Mac wrote songs for Elvis Presley, Glen Campbell, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Rascal Flatts and more, as well as had his own successful career as an artist and actor. He is survived by his wife, Lisa and three sons.