David Olson. Six strings, one remarkable story.

The quick version

David Olson is a Twin Cities singer-songwriter and the fifth generation of his family to carry the music. He began violin at three and a half and later earned a guitar degree. Today he plays free shows, and anything the room gives goes straight to charity.

The full story

David grew up in a blue-collar family in rural Minnesota, where music was never decoration. It was inheritance. His earliest memories are of his grandfather playing guitar in the living room with his dad and extended family.

He began violin at three and a half, added trumpet and a seat in the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphony, then found a guitar at a garage sale that changed everything. He earned a guitar degree at the University of Northwestern St. Paul, directed music at a local church for five years, and released the albums Beloved (2007) and Change (2008). He was then invited into Sacred Road, an East Coast group.

In 1985, at four and a half, he was badly hurt shielding his younger brother from a falling industrial shelf. North Memorial's AirCare helicopter flew him to a trauma center. That second chance is why every show he plays now is free.

Why he plays

“Playing for charity is my way of honoring family, and using what they gave me to help others.”David Olson

The causes

• Robert D. Field – Magaw 14,000 Lifeguard ScholarshipSaint Mary's University of Minnesota
• North Memorial Health AirCareAir ambulance
• American Swedish InstituteSwedish and Nordic heritage

Every gift is made on the cause's own giving page. Nothing is collected by David or this site.

What to expect

• FormatSolo acoustic or full setup
• Coffee shopsBackground · 1–3 hours
• Bars & taproomsSolo acoustic
• FestivalsDay stages
• Benefit concertsFundraisers · any size
• House concertsIntimate · 20–60 guests

Familiar songs and originals rooted in real lives, with the stories behind them.

Start with “Because.”

Albums

• Beloved2007
• Change2008