Songwriter Johnny MacRae Dies at 84

Famed Nashville songwriter Johnny MacRae passed away on Wednesday, July 3 from heart disease. He was 84.

The tunesmith is best known for penning several hit country songs, including Reba McEntire’s ‘(You Lift Me) Up to Heaven, as well as Conway Twitty’s No. 1 tune, ‘I’d Just Love to Lay You Down.’

MacRae’s wife Mary tells CMT that she will honor her late husband’s request to not have a funeral. Instead, she will plan a celebration of life service, which is tentatively scheduled for October 19. Called a “full moon celebration,” the memorial gathering will be similar to the annual event MacRae hosted on his farm for colleagues and friends.

In addition to songwriting, MacRae’s hobbies included raising animals on his farm and wine-making. His other writing credits include Blackhawk’s ‘Goodbye Says It All,’  ‘Living Proof’ by Ricky Van Shelton, and Doug Stone’s ‘I’d Be Better Off (In a Pine Box),’ which was named one of the 100 Greatest Songs of Country Music by CMT.