Some Heroes Don’t Wear Capes

The word ‘Hero’ is defined as a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. Some people don’t believe in heroes, but they haven’t met my dad. I can’t think of a better description of my father who’s hard work, perseverance, and sacrifices have directly contributed to the unique opportunities I’ve had in my life, that he didn’t.

A couple years ago my father turned 60 and we had a party with many longtime friends and family. It was great for everyone to reconnect with each other, especially with friends we hadn’t seen in years. One of the highlights from the event for me was the video my family put together for him. All five of us kids recorded a short message wishing him a happy birthday and letting him know why we appreciate him. I thought it was worth sharing because I believe he’s a great example of what makes a person a good father.  Having five kids in today’s culture without going crazy is impressive within itself, but being a positive influence, a helpful friend, and a discerning parent to your children while juggling a business at the same time is simple… amazing!

In our culture today super heroes are precieved with ‘super strength’ to break through walls, soar through the sky, and fight unearthly giant monsters. The reality of what it really means to be a man…to be a REAL super hero… is being a responsible leader, is caring and providing for your family, is showing up when no one’s looking, it’s celebrating the little things when no one seems to care… it’s sacrificing… even when it hurts. I hope you’re inspired like I am from his story to not only be a better dad… but to be a better man. This is what living a great life is all about.

I hope someday my kids can say that I’m half the man he is.

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Welcome to DavidOlsonMusic.com, where music meets inspiration!

When I was a kid, I’ll admit I wasn’t always thrilled about music. My parents made me take lessons starting at three and half and it felt like more or a chore at first. But as I grew older, I realized the value of practice and spent hours upon hours mastering different instruments and styles. I played in bands from middle school all the way to getting a degree in it at college and later touring all over the world by using it.

Fast forward to now, as a dad, I’m passing on my love of music to my own kiddos. Seeing their faces light up as they strum their first chords or hit the right notes on the piano brings me so much joy. And let’s be real, it’s pretty cute watching them sing their hearts out. Teaching my kids music has brought back memories of my own childhood, of the frustration of not getting a song right the first time and the thrill of finally nailing a difficult piece. But it’s also reminded me that music is more than just notes on a page or chords on an instrument. It’s a way of expressing ourselves, connecting with others, and bringing beauty into the world.

That’s why I’m so excited to share my collection of songs inspired from different seasons Ane experiences in my life. From folk to rock, pop to instrumental, I’m hoping there’s something for everyone on my website. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, I want to provide you with unique insights and perspectives on how music can influence us in this crazy journey we call life. So come join me on this adventure and let’s discover more of the power of music together! 

Stay in tune and keep on grooving, David Olson

ps. All my music is here. 

Ever since I was three and a half, my parents forced me to take music lessons. First it was the violin where they had me play at nursing homes, church recitals, and school events. Before I went through puberty, I played the trumpet in the local marching band and participated  in the Twin Cities Youth Symphony (GTCYS). Looking back, I’m not sure if my parents were trying to help me foster a love for music or just prevent me from having a social life.  Luckily in high school it all changed once I bought a guitar at a garage sale, and I was hooked. I was a guitarist in a variety of bands, church groups, and eventually went to the University of Northwestern St. Paul to study guitar.  It was never meant to be a career, just something I loved and was passionate about learning.  After college I started my own band and worked in a local church as a music director for around five years. I recorded and released two albums titled ‘Beloved’ in 2007 and a sophomore album titled ‘Change’ in 2008. After being a worship director at a large church in Eden Prairie and finishing my master degree at Bethel University, I somehow found myself in a talented group from the East Coast called ‘Sacred Road.’ At the time, it was an incredible experience performing, recording, & traveling with other amazing professional musicians through a record label. It opened a whole new world for me of songwriting, producing, and storytelling.
Once I was married and had kids life changed, and so did the priority of creating and performing music. Through a series of random events (and a lot of hard work), I found myself working for the last 15+ years in a flourishing career with my wife as a realtor/broker in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Florida. And more importantly, raising three beautiful daughters. It’s been a wonderful, wild, and all consuming experience that I could have never dreamed of and wouldn’t trade for anything. Now that my beautiful kiddos are past the ‘infant baby’ stage, I’m ready to dive into some new music ventures again and share some of the experiences and music I’ve been holding onto for the last couple years. Thanks for your patience and joining me in this next chapter of life. I hope to add a lot more original content, experiences, and songs in the future that will inspire and lift you up, no matter where you’re at in life! -David Olson

About me

After taking a break from writing and performing music for a couple years, I’m official back! Not because I’m trying to be cool, sell stuff, or impress anyone (I’m too old for that kind of thing and honesty, just don’t care). Instead, I’m just one of those creative ‘artsy’ people who loves writing, performing great music, and sharing good stories. It’s in my blood, it’s like medicine for my soul, and like an escape from some of the chaos of life. I write about what inspires and matters to me most. I create all this nerd music/video stuff from my home studio in my basement. I’m a husband and father of three beautiful kiddos. My day job is being a realtor here in Minnesota and I love it!
If you’re interested in having this 40+ year old dad guitarist guy named David perform at your next event? Reach out at DavidOlsonMusic@gmail.com.