Coincidentally, yesterday I learned that David Olney, a Nashville
songwriter whom I began to follow and admire several years ago, passed away suddenly
during his performance at one of the venues in that 30A Songwriters festival. Dave
was in the middle of a songwriter’s round with 2 other writers, he stopped
singing during his 3rd song, apologized to his audience, then closed
his eyes and quietly died of an apparent heart attack. Amy Rigby, who was one
of the other writers onstage with him when he passed, said his end was very peaceful.
From most accounts, Olney was a humble, wise, and generous ambassador for the
craft of songwriting. His loss, especially in the Nashville music community
wherein he lived, is seismic.
Back in 2005, about 13 years after I began to write this weekly
report, I started posting it in blog form. On the blog site, I wrote a brief bio
and in it spoke of my aspiration to be a recognized songwriter. I said that,
while I felt there were a lot of great contemporary songwriters, much of the
best current songwriting is being eclipsed by pop music mediocrity. I also said
that my songwriting was something for which I aspire to be remembered.
I’ve been many things in my 64 years. I’ve enjoyed creative writing
since I was a young teen, I’ve been a boater since I was old enough to swim, I
love all watersports, I used to be an
avid snow skier, a photographer who spent
a good deal of my teens in a darkroom. I enjoy hiking, observing wildlife, collecting
old postcards, attending live concerts, people-watching, reading, cooking, really
bad reality television shows, and a dozen other things which are likely of
little interest to anyone else. I believe songwriting is the best tool I have
to express myself. It is the skill I have consistently developed for over 4
decades, and the one thing I for which I hope I will be remembered when I am
gone. The field of good songwriters is vast and ever-expanding, so that
aspiration may be wildly optimistic. Each week, I find it humbling to discover yet
another songwriter who impresses me. I am always shocked to note that the most
talented and prolific among them are typically doomed to obscurity. I suppose
it’s like that with most art, and often true genius goes under-recognized for a
long time. In a letter Shauna and I received from Jon Brooks around the
holidays, he said (and I paraphrase) that he continues to search for the
perfect love song to write, the one which will unite mankind in a peaceful
harmony. The great songwriters do this; they strike a universal chord that
resonates among us all. While Jon may also hope to realize the elusive dream of
wider recognition, he has already succeeded well beyond my most hopeful
aspirations in songwriting. Someone made a comment recently under one of my
reports, wherein I discussed songwriting, and she referred to songwriters as
the prophets of our society. I think all good art reflects our world, and I
have profound respect for the artists and storytellers who do that effectively.
The longer I live, the less impressed I am by the things that I
once aspired to achieve: money, fame, and a stadium full of adoring fans. These
days, I’d be content to figure out a way of teaching love and acceptance. Unfortunately,
I’m still very much the student myself. I want to connect with people in some
positive ways. My dream, for well over 40 years now, is to write at least one really
good song, one that will be meaningful decades after I am gone. David Olney
wrote dozens of those songs. The late, great American songwriter, Townes Van Zandt, once said
of David Olney: “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.”
R.I.P. David Olney. Thank you for your selfless contribution to
the craft of songwriting, you’ve left big shoes to fill.
Written by Jamie Oppenheimer c2020 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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