About David Allan Coe
David Allan Coe (September 6, 1939 – April 29, 2026), also known by his initials DAC, was an American singer-songwriter and musician. Coe took up music after spending much of his early life in reform schools and prisons. He first came to prominence for busking in Nashville and initially played mostly in the blues style, before transitioning to country music, becoming a major part of the 1970s outlaw country scene. His biggest hits include "You Never Even Call Me by My Name", "Longhaired Redneck", "The Ride", "Mona Lisa Lost Her Smile", and "She Used to Love Me a Lot". Coe's most popular songs covered by other artists include the number-one hits "Would You Lay With Me (In a Field of Stone)", sung by Tanya Tucker, and Johnny Paycheck's rendition of "Take This Job and Shove It". The latter inspired the movie of the same name. Coe's rebellious attitude, wild image, and unconventional lifestyle set him apart from other country performers, both winning him legions of fans and hindering his mainstream success by alienating the music industry establishment, while his use of profane lyrics, including racial slurs, in some of his songs also drew controversy during his career. Regardless, Coe remained a popular performer on the country music circuit until his death. Coe took up music after spending much of his early life in reform schools and prisons, and first became notable for busking in Nashville. Coe also wrote "Cocaine Carolina" for Johnny Cash and sang background vocals on the recording that appeared on Cash's 1975 album John R. He caught the attention of Shelby Singleton, owner of the independent record label Plantation Records and signed a contract with his label.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.