I was at this show when he passed it was the most peaceful thing to witness. He was playing Bluebonnet girl (by his friend Jack Murray) and near the end he said he was sorry, shut his eyes, and gently laid back. It was a beautiful simple song - probably a lot like David. Right before he played he said he is covering other people's songs because he would like others to cover his songs (haha). He did look so cool and was in his element in a beautiful space surrounded by music lovers. It was something to witness. I will forever feel connected to David. His songs will always touch my heart is a deep way.
Olney was in the middle of his third song when he stopped, apologized, and shut his eyes,” Rigby wrote on Facebook. “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.”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.[4][6][13] "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," Scott Miller said.[13]
It is so poignant that Mr. Olney passed the way he did, as so many of us are hearing his music for the first time because of the uniqueness of his death. Peaceful and dignified, very much like the stories he tells, I feel blessed to have found this wonderful artist, so sad that I missed it all while it was happening but savoring the joy and excitement of discovering a "new" artist. Like my songwriting heroes Prine and Dylan, he cuts through the blather and helps us feel ourselves in a few rhyming words. RIP, David Olney, we hardly knew ye'.
I had the priveledge to see these two at a little place called the Time Warp Tea Room in Knoxville TN. I did not know at the time what a privilege it was. I spoke with him after the performance and found out that he was born in Rhode Island. My father was also born in Rhode Island. Olney's nose and my father's were much alike. Olney very closely resembled my father's younger brother Bill.
I just found David Olney and what a find. He and Sergio on Millionaire... In my opinion that song and this one are truly something different. Something truly unique. Take for example the part in Millionaire where he talks about the silver knife. To me that is a reminder of wealth. Could have said anything there but chose silver knife. Smart. Simple. Effective.
He molded this world with his pure soul and became music ,continues to form the world he knew was hidden and attainable and needed for love and us all.
Outstanding heartfelt song and performance! How wonderful for this moment to be captured on video. Hopefully sometime I will be able to see David Olney and/or Sergio Webb in person. ... and hopefully I could capture their performance as well as you :)) Thank you for sharing!
Outstanding heartfelt song and performance! How wonderful for this moment to be captured on video. Hopefully sometime I will be able to see David Olney and/or Serjio Webb in person. ... and hopefully I could capture their performance as well as you :)) Thank you for sharing!
