Musician Amy Rigby shares in a Facebook message that doctors in the audience at the 30A Songwriter Festival 'were all working so hard to get the 71-year-old singer to come to.'
- January 20, 2020
AceShowbiz - Singer/songwriter David Olney has died at the age of 71.
The folk musician passed away of an apparent heart attack while performing onstage at the 30A Songwriter Festival in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida on Saturday, January 18.
"David Olney, a beautiful man, a legend, a songwriting poet died last night," a Facebook message from musician Amy Rigby reads. "I was sitting next to him in the round, had been so honored and looking forward to getting to trade songs with him... Olney was in the middle of his third song when he stopped, apologized, and shut his eyes..."
"(Singer) Scott Miller had the presence of mind to say we needed to revive him," the message continues. "Doctors in the audience and 30A folks were all working so hard to get him to come to. 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..."
Olney began his career in the 1970s and went on to release more than 20 albums. His work has been covered by Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Steve Young and many others.
