It's no surprise that Buffalo, NY born and bred songwriter Davey O. has been described by Buffalo News critic Jeff Miers as having "a journalist’s eye for detail and poet’s ear for the well-turned observation". Embarking on a decade-plus journey that has resulted in a collection of justly-earned, highly introspective songs, Davey crafts pure Americana that is not of the social and political consciousness, but drawn from the deep well of experience and human emotion - no hackneyed story lines, no insincere polish, just an unflinching poet's look at life. The characters woven seamlessly into stories of which the song itself becomes the soundtrack for the movie playing inside the listener's head.
Armed with a steady, rhythmic pulse on his Gibson guitar, a battered straw cowboy hat and a no apologies rust-belt work ethic, Davey puts rubber to asphalt, entertaining attentive, diverse audiences at listening rooms, coffeehouses, nightclubs, festivals, colleges and universities throughout the Northeast, Midwest, Midsouth and Atlantic U.S. - performances that result in engagement and communion between performer and audience through story and song.
The hard work has paid off with recognition by way of a New Folk Finalist Selection at The 2013 Kerrville Folk Festival, an Official Showcase Selection at the 2011 Folk Alliance Conference and coveted opening act slots for Amy Speace, Tracy Grammer, Eilen Jewell, The Ginn Sisters, William Elliott Whitmore, Eric Andersen, The Kennedys and Poco.
In August 2012, Davey released - "Testing For Rust" which has grabbed the attention of Folk & Americana DJ's across the country, earning him top grades on the Folk DJ Charts. "Testing For Rust" debuted on FOLK DJ Radio Charts at #20, made the Top Sellers on CD Baby, hit the Airplay Direct Charts Top 50, and spent 11 weeks in the Top 25 on the Roots Music Report (RMR) for State of NY. "Testing For Rust" was also placed on the 2012 "Best of" lists by radio stations WVPE (Elkhart, IN), WHRW (Binghamton, NY), 90FM (Stevens Point, WI) and WMSC (Montclair, NJ).
Discography
Reflect (2000) out of print
the bare sessions (2001) out of print
The Emotional Shelter (2003) available in digital download only
thirtyninedollarview (2005) limited supply in CD; available in digital
The Long Way Home (2009)
Testing For Rust (2012)
Notable venues and festivals:
Abilene Bar & Lounge, Rochester, NY
Beachland Ballroom, Cleveland, OH
Bluebird Cafe, Nashville, TN
Browngrass Festival (2012), Rabbit Hash, KY
Bull Run Restaurant Concert Series, Shirley, MA
Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, NY
Cellar Stage, Baltimore, MD
Club Cafe, Pittsburgh, PA
Googie's Lounge/The Living Room, New York, NY
Niagara University, Lewiston, NY
Sportsmen's Tavern, Buffalo, NY
Tralf Music Hall, Buffalo, NY
University at Buffalo Center for the Arts, Amherst, NY
Villa Maria College of Buffalo Recital Hall, Buffalo, NY
Wellsville Creative Arts Center, Wellsville, NY
ARTVOICE Streetfest
Elmwood Avenue Festival of the Arts, Buffalo, NY
Music is Art Festival
Official Performance Alley Showcase Selection - 2011 International Folk Alliance Conference, Memphis, TN
Notable support slots:
Kelly Joe Phelps, Mohawk Place, Buffalo, NY
Tracy Grammer, Tin Angel, Philadelphia, PA
Elizabeth Cook, Sportsmen's Tavern, Buffalo, NY
The Roys, Club Infinity, Buffalo, NY
Brennen Leigh, Sportsmen's Tavern, Buffalo, NY
Kelley Hunt, Tralf Music Hall, Buffalo, NY
Bob Martin, 2008, Bull Run Concert Series, Shirley, MA
Eric Sardinas, Tralf Music Hall, Buffalo, NY
Paul Thorn, Sportsmen's Tavern, Buffalo, NY.
The Ginn Sisters, House Concert, Buffalo, NY
Poco, Gateway Park, Tonawanda, NY
Eilen Jewell, Sportsmens Tavern, Buffalo, NY
Eric Andersen, Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, NY
The Kennedys, Cellar Stage, Baltimore, MD
William Elliott Whitmore, Mohawk Place, Buffalo, NY
Hayes Carll, Abilene Bar & Lounge, Rochester, NY
Karen Savoca & Pete Heitzman, Buffalo Friends of Folk, Village Meeting House, Williamsville, NY
Louise Mosrie, The Nelson Odeon, Nelson, NY
