Not to be confused with
David Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Canada.
David Charles Olney (March 23, 1948 – January 18, 2020) was an American folk singer-songwriter.[1] Olney recorded more than 20 albums during his nearly five decades as a musician. His songs have been covered by numerous artists, including Emmylou Harris, Del McCoury, Linda Ronstadt and Steve Earle.[2][3]
Olney was born on March 23, 1948, in Providence, Rhode Island. After briefly attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he joined Bland Simpson's band Simpson.[5][6] They recorded one album in New York in 1971. The next year he relocated to Atlanta and in 1973 moved to Nashville with the hope of selling his material to record labels.[7][8]
In the early 1980s, he formed the band The X-Rays, which recorded two albums for Rounder Records. The group appeared on Austin City Limits, opened for major acts, including Elvis Costello, and broke up in 1985.[9]
Over the following decades, Olney performed as a solo singer-songwriter, releasing more than 20 albums including six live recordings. He collaborated with artists such as John Hadley and Sergio Webb.[10] His songs were covered by and co-written with Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, Linda Ronstadt, Steve Young, Del McCoury, and Laurie Lewis, among many others.[6]
Olney was a key member of Nashville’s music community. The Rhode Island native was a compelling and enigmatic presence in Music City. He wrote sonnets and starred at the Nashville Shakespeare Festival, and his live concerts blended tenderness and ferocity, theatre and sincerity, agitation and embrace.[11]
Personal life and death[edit]
Olney resided in Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife, Regine.[8] They had a son, Redding, and a daughter, Lillian.[8][12] Olney formed a mutual admiration with Townes Van Zandt when he began his solo career. Van Zandt bought Olney a sport coat from a Goodwill store in Little Rock.
Olney died of an apparent heart attack during a performance onstage at the 30A Songwriter Festival in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, on January 18, 2020, at age 71.[6][8][15] He was in the middle of his third song when he stopped, apologized and shut his eyes, according to fellow musician Scott Miller who was accompanying Olney.[16][3] "David was playing a song when he paused, said 'I'm sorry' and put his chin to his chest. He never dropped his guitar or fell off his stool. It was as easy and gentle as he was," Miller said.[15]
