quote:
Singer-songwriter David Olney has died at age 71, after falling silent and dropping his head in the midst of a performance at the 30A Songwriters Festival in Florida Saturday night. Some news reports said he “collapsed” on stage, but that isn’t quite true: Olney simply became still on his stool, leading some audience members and even the musicians beside him to think he was simply taking a pause, before they realized what had happened and lowered him to the stage.

quote:
Olney was a revered figure in the folk-rock and Americana communities who had recorded 20 albums of his own as well as having his songs covered by Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Del McCoury and his former roommate Steve Earle.

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Posted by wilceaux

Austin, TX

Member since Apr 2004

12405 posts

Posted on 1/19/20 at 7:02 pm to duggieblue

This was really sad to hear, but it sounds like he went very peacefully, doing what he loved.

He was truly an amazing songwriter, and a kind soul from a different era. RIP

"The late Townes Van Zandt famously said of Olney: “Any time anyone asks me who my favorite music writers are… I say Mozart, Lightnin Hopkins, Bob Dylan and Dave Olney. Dave Olney is one of the best songwriters I’ve ever heard — and that’s true. I mean that from my heart.”"

This post was edited on 1/19/20 at 7:04 pm

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Posted by LanierSpots

Sarasota, Florida

Member since Sep 2010

61641 posts

Posted on 1/20/20 at 5:50 am to duggieblue

Wow. Sad but what a way to go for him.

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Posted by Jim Rockford

Member since May 2011

98182 posts

Posted on 1/20/20 at 3:49 pm to duggieblue

quote:
Amy Rigby
Yesterday at 8:17 AM

David Olney, a beautiful man, a legend, a songwriting poet died last night. I was sitting next to him in the round, had been so honored and looking forward to getting to trade songs with him and Scott Miller. Olney was in the middle of his third song when he stopped, apologized and shut his eyes. He was very still, sitting upright with his guitar on, wearing the coolest hat and a beautiful rust suede jacket we laughed about because it was raining like hell outside the boathouse where we were playing- I just want the picture to be as graceful and dignified as it was, because it at first looked like he was just taking a moment. Scott Miller had the presence of mind to say we needed to revive him. Doctors in the audience and 30A folks were all working so hard to get him to come to. It's hard to post about this because I can't really believe he's gone. I am so sorry for his wife and family and friends and all the people who loved him and his music. Even those who never heard of him. We all lost someone important last night.

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Posted by parrotdr

Cesspool of Rationalization

Member since Oct 2003

7508 posts

Posted on 1/20/20 at 4:07 pm to Jim Rockford

He APOLOGIZED right before dropping his head and shutting his eyes. Then he sat there. That's amazing. What a way to go.

I almost went to this festival, as I have friends who attend every year and some who've even played it.

Here's a video of an acoustic set he did the day before. LINK

Hail and rest in peace Mr. Olney!

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