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Nashville Musician David Olney Goes Out Like a Rock Star

Countless rockers have written songs about it. Boston music legend Mark Sandman actually did it. And now, tragically, folk artist David Olney has, too. Over the weekend, Olney died onstage…

Countless rockers have written songs about it. Boston music legend Mark Sandman actually did it. And now, tragically, folk artist David Olney has, too.

Over the weekend, Olney died onstage at the 30A Songwriters Festival in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. According to singer-songwriter Amy Rigby, the performer was in the middle of his third song "when he stopped, apologized and shut his eyes." Efforts were made to resuscitate Olney, but he was already gone.

David Olney has a local connection as well: he was born in Providence, RI. He spent close to 50 years as an active and beloved member of the Nashville music community, and it's clear he'll be missed. But there's not many people that get the honor of "dying doing what they loved." Olney does. Rest in peace, David.

adam12Writer
Adam 12 is the Program Director of Boston's ROCK 92.9, heard weekdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. He's been flexing his encyclopedic rock knowledge in New England for over 2 decades, both on-air and online, at WBCN, WFNX, Boston.com, and indie617. At ROCK 92.9, he keeps you in the know on the big stories from the Boston music scene and writes about great places to eat, drink (beer), and to spend time outdoors in and around Boston.