Country Star and former USC student, Patrick Davis, keeps close ties to the Carolina Gamecocks. Davis graduated from University of South Carolina in 2000. He went on to be a country singer and songwriter for EMI Music Publishing in 2006. Davis learned to play guitar in high school and now performs with his father Rusty Davis, who accompanies him on guitar.
Davis is still an avid supporter of the Gamecocks and does what he can to make as many games as possible. In 2009 while attending the USC/ Ole Miss football game Davis found his inspiration for his song “Big Ole (Game) Cock”.
“It was there, seeing Williams Brice filled with Gamecock faithful who were covered from head to toe in Garnet and Black, that I thought to myself… why isn’t there a story of all these fans and their beloved Gamecocks,” Davis said.
His song “Big Ole (Game) Cock” may give students inspiration to have more school pride and show their support for their team. This song may help students get through the tough times and remember why they are a Gamecock.
“I believe this song is a good way for students to support their Gamecocks,” said junior accounting major Layna Roycraft. “It talks about being proud during heartbreak, good times, and being supportive their whole lives even after college.”
The song is filled with Carolina football history and game day traditions. It expresses how even though the Gamecocks may not do well every year Carolina fans still stay faithful and will always tell their opponents “wait until next year” in hopes of making a comeback.
Davis wrote thing song because he felt the Gamecocks were a unique team and University of South Carolina was a unique school that he takes pride in and hopes other students do as well.
What Davis wants fans to get out of his song “Big Ole (Game) Cock” is “a laugh, a pint of their favorite beverage raised to the heavens and a feeling of bitter sweet happiness for surviving all those Gamecock losing seasons, and Clemson defeats,” Davis said. “They know that thanks to folks like Spurrier, Lattimore, and Garcia better Gamecock football Saturdays lie ahead.”
Carolina students are supportive of their Gamecocks and always show a lot of excitement on game day. With Davis’ song “Big Ole (Game) Cock”, students can come together on game day and play this song to share their love for their Carolina Gamecocks.
“With this song I get a feeling of pride for my school and team and it gets me pumped up for games,” Roycraft said.
Davis is originally from Camden, South Carolina and stayed in state for college. Playing music is the only job he has ever had. His pride for these two things shows through his music. Davis has found his inspiration for being a Gamecock and shares it with all Carolina fans through his song.
“I hope that “Big Ole (Game) Cock” inspires a bit of extra University of South Carolina pride in every Gamecock student, alumni, and fan,” Davis said. “I wrote the song from the perspective of some one who really knows what it means to be a Gamecock supporter, me, so my hope is that any Gamecock supporter who hears the song can say… hey, I have lived all that too.”
Being a Gamecock is not a title you have for only the four years you attend college but something you are and can be proud of for the rest of your life.
As Davis’ song “Big Ole (Game) Cock” states “I love to hear 2001 and feel Williams Brice Rock… oh what else can I say, until my dying day… I’ll be a South Carolina Gamecock.”
