David Olney
David Olney (born David Charles Olney in Providence, Rhode Island on 23 Mar… Read Full Bio ↴David Olney (born David Charles Olney in Providence, Rhode Island on 23 March 1948 ; died 18 January 2020) was an American folk singer-songwriter.
Olney moved to Nashville in 1973, attempted to sell his songs to record labels, and then formed the band "The X-Rays" who recorded two albums for Rounder Records, appeared on Austin City Limits, opened for Elvis Costello, and broke up in 1985.
Subsequently, Olney performed as a solo singer-songwriter, and released more than 20 albums over four decades, including 6 live recordings. He collaborated with artists such as John Hadley and Sergio Webb.
His songs have been covered by, and co-written with, Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, Linda Ronstadt, Steve Young, Del McCoury and Laurie Lewis, among others.
David Olney and his live performances with multi-instrumentalist Sergio Webb converted new audiences while continuing to give the fans what they wanted. MTV's Urge.com witnessed a show and testified, "Olney Unbound...part Baptist preacher, part caustic comedian, and part existential bluesman... Olney shouted, moaned and howled his sharply observed hard-luck tales and quirky character studies. Webb, who looks like he stepped out of a Clint Eastwood spaghetti western, provided a dizzying array of textures, employing unconventional techniques"
Awarded the "People's Choice" at the Moab Folk Festival and having played the Hardly, Strictly Bluegrass Festival in Golden Gate Park & the Kerrville (TX) Wine & Music Festival, David & Sergio toured as a duo in support of Mr. Olney's critically acclaimed current studio album - "ONE TOUGH TOWN" (Red Parlor Records). The CD earned a spot on several 2007 "Best Of" lists online and in The Rochester (NY) Democrat & Chronicle, The Nashville Scene (TN), The Montreal Gazette (Canada), Rhythms Magazine (Australia) and others.
Olney infused his live performances with an intensity that converted many new listeners into die-hard fans. Olney's intelligent compositions radiated that same intensity, many of which have been recorded by Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Del McCoury, Tim O'Brien, Lonnie Brooks, James King, Slaid Cleaves, Dale Ann Bradley, Tom Rozum, Ann Rabson, Kevin Welch / Keiran Kane / Fats Kaplin and others.
According to late Olney friend and fan Townes Van Zandt, "Anytime 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."
DavidOlney.com
MySpace.com/DavidOlney
Olney moved to Nashville in 1973, attempted to sell his songs to record labels, and then formed the band "The X-Rays" who recorded two albums for Rounder Records, appeared on Austin City Limits, opened for Elvis Costello, and broke up in 1985.
Subsequently, Olney performed as a solo singer-songwriter, and released more than 20 albums over four decades, including 6 live recordings. He collaborated with artists such as John Hadley and Sergio Webb.
His songs have been covered by, and co-written with, Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, Linda Ronstadt, Steve Young, Del McCoury and Laurie Lewis, among others.
David Olney and his live performances with multi-instrumentalist Sergio Webb converted new audiences while continuing to give the fans what they wanted. MTV's Urge.com witnessed a show and testified, "Olney Unbound...part Baptist preacher, part caustic comedian, and part existential bluesman... Olney shouted, moaned and howled his sharply observed hard-luck tales and quirky character studies. Webb, who looks like he stepped out of a Clint Eastwood spaghetti western, provided a dizzying array of textures, employing unconventional techniques"
Awarded the "People's Choice" at the Moab Folk Festival and having played the Hardly, Strictly Bluegrass Festival in Golden Gate Park & the Kerrville (TX) Wine & Music Festival, David & Sergio toured as a duo in support of Mr. Olney's critically acclaimed current studio album - "ONE TOUGH TOWN" (Red Parlor Records). The CD earned a spot on several 2007 "Best Of" lists online and in The Rochester (NY) Democrat & Chronicle, The Nashville Scene (TN), The Montreal Gazette (Canada), Rhythms Magazine (Australia) and others.
Olney infused his live performances with an intensity that converted many new listeners into die-hard fans. Olney's intelligent compositions radiated that same intensity, many of which have been recorded by Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Del McCoury, Tim O'Brien, Lonnie Brooks, James King, Slaid Cleaves, Dale Ann Bradley, Tom Rozum, Ann Rabson, Kevin Welch / Keiran Kane / Fats Kaplin and others.
According to late Olney friend and fan Townes Van Zandt, "Anytime 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."
DavidOlney.com
MySpace.com/DavidOlney
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David Olney Lyrics
1917 The strange young man who comes to me A soldier on…
A Little Bit of Poison You need a little bit of poison You need a little…
Always the Stranger Always a stranger, always alone Without a place to call a…
Avery County My name is Josiah I've come down to the river I…
Barabbas Some work and slave for all of their days And…
Barrymore Remembers Have I ever told you I was once quite the ladies…
Deeper Well Sun burned hot it burned my eyes Burned so hot I…
Dillinger Driving across the Illinois plain Hard times in '33 John'…
Dogwoods In Spring the air is filled with sweet perfume All…
Flesh and Blood A faraway place A faraway time He broke the bread He poured …
God Shaped Hole Well I got religion And I got it bad And it…
I My love must be a kind of blind love I can't…
If Love Was Illegal If love was illegal You would be public Enemy number one …
Jerusalem Tomorrow Man, you should have seen me way back then I could…
Lay Down Your Kingdom The truest heart will not be tempted With bright silver…
Lilly Of The Valley Down the mountains through the valley Runs a river deep…
Little Bit Of Poison You need a little bit of poison You need a little…
Love's Been Linked To The Blues It was in the morning papers, the evening papers too And…
Message To Garcia Take a message to Garcia. Give him my regards And…
Roses Lightning spoke to the wind, "The devil's in me today,…
Snowin When the wind don't blow in Amarillo And the moon along…
That I don't know how to explain The way I feel when…
That's All I Need To Know I don't know how to explain The way I feel when…
That's Why She's With Me You never listened when she cried or cared enough to…
The Colorado Kid The Colorado Kid is moving at the speed of light…
The Suicide Kid Let's sing a song for the Suicide Kid Who pulled on…
Woman Across The River Oh, the women 'cross the river Carry water from the well…
Women Across The River Oh, the women 'cross the river Carry water from the well…