Nashville singer-songwriter, David Olney has died on Saturday (Jan 18th) after collapsing on stage at the 30A Songwriters Festival in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.
According to his website, Olney … whose work was recorded by Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Del McCoury and many others … suffered an apparent heart attack during his set. He was 71 years old. Witnesses say that during his performance, Olney took a moment to close his eyes and fell silent before passing away on stage without any visible signs of pain or anguish. A doctor in the audience attempted to revive him, but Olney remained unresponsive.
Amy Rigby, an artist who was performing alongside Olney at the 30A Songwriters Festival, shared the news on Facebook, saying:
“David Olney, a beautiful man, a legend, a songwriting poet died last night,” her post began. “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.”
She added: “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.”
Earlier in the day, Olney was recorded singing at a 30-minute Acoustic Interlude session with local radio station WUWF 88.1. you can watch it below.
David Olney at 30A Songwriters Festival [18/01/2020]
Olney, a Rhode Island native, moved to Nashville in 1973 where he formed the rock group The X-Rays. His first solo album, Eye of the Storm, released in 1986, is one of more than 20, with 2018’s This Side or the Other his most recent. He also received high praise for his song “Deeper Well”, which was recorded by Emmylou Harris on her Grammy-winning 1994 album Wrecking Ball.
Emmylou Harris | "Deeper Well"
Olney’s official website remembers him as a “key member of Nashville’s music community since his move to Music City in 1973.”
Listen to David Olney on Spotify:
Listen to David Olney on Apple Music:
