On April 16, 2025, at his home in Nashville, Mac Gayden passed away at the age of 83. He and his wife Diane have many friends in Fairfield, who will surely miss his music and the couple’s gracious kindness. Over a six-decade period, Mac wrote more than 500 songs that were gifted with splendid melodies, intriguing rhythms, and thoughtful lyrics.
Whether as a lead guitarist or studio musician, Mac recorded and collaborated with many legendary artists, including Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Simon & Garfunkel, Linda Ronstadt, Kris Kristofferson, John Hiatt, Loudon Wainwright III, Jerry Jeff Walker, Porter Wagoner, Percy Sledge, Hoyt Axton, the Pointer Sisters, and Leonard Cohen.
Over the years, Mac was approached to consider joining several groups—including the Eagles, Mountain, Eddie Money, and the Allman Brothers—as a guitarist- vocalist. Due to his commitment to family and quality of life, he decided not to travel any of these paths.
His most famous song was “Everlasting Love,” co-written with Buzz Cason in 1967. Originally, the song was recorded by Robert Knight on vocals. In each of the past six decades, this uplifting song has been covered by many artists, including Gloria Estefan and U2.
Guitar Player Magazine once described Mac as “a visionary . . . as innovative to slide guitar as Hendrix was to rock.” Mac pioneered the technique of playing slide guitar with a wah-wah pedal, which premiered in the 1971 Top 40 with his signature performance on J. J. Cale’s hit song “Crazy Mama.”
After Mac formed the band Skyboat in 1972, the group recorded two albums for ABC Records. In 1973, Mac collaborated with producer Bob Johnston, with whom he had worked on Bob Dylan’s Blonde on Blonde album. Johnston asked to produce Mac’s solo debut album, McGavock Gayden (EMI).
As a prolific songwriter, producer, and session player, Mac consistently nurtured both aspiring and established musicians. He was revered as a kind, honest, and loyal friend. His heartfelt lyrics and arrangements continue as a testimony to his insightful creative talents. In 2013, Mac received a Country Music Hall of Fame award as one of the “Nashville Cats,” honoring an elite group of high- caliber session players.
When my wife, Betty, and I lived in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, from 1994 to 2000, Mac and Diane lived nearby. Periodically, when Mac’s Nashville musician friends would visit, he would assemble a group of Nashville and local musicians to play at our house in the evenings. As the music progressed late into the night, the band often took us on long adventures in soaring improvisational music.
On one expecially choice night, I felt compelled to express my appreciation. Mac’s eyes twinkled and he smiled, saying something like this, “Yeah, this was one of those special magical journeys. Wish we could have recorded it.” That night still lingers as one of my all-time favorite musical memories.
Selected Tracks
Thanks to Diane Gayden for this list of Mac’s favorite recordings:
- “Everlasting Love” (Skyboat, 1976). A classic song, with saxophones, violins, and Mac’s vocals and slide guitar.
- “Morning Glory” (Skyboat, 1976). Pay attention to Mac’s slide guitar with wah-wah pedal.
- “The Minstrel Is Free at Last” (Hymn to the Seeker, 1976). The last 1:30 of this song is a wonderful mash-up of soul, blues, and jazz, including a fading piano.
- “Tennessee” (McGavock Gayden, 1973). The acoustic Spanish guitar opening leads to one of Mac’s best vocal performances ever.
- “Rising Sun” (McGavock Gayden, 1973).
- “Queen Anne’s Lace” (McGavock Gayden, 1973). Mac plays a six-string banjo while using the sixth as a musical drone.