David Francey was born in 1954 in Ayrshire, Scotland, where as a paper boy he got his first taste of the working life. He learned to read at an early age, and by age eleven was devouring the newspapers he delivered. This helped establish his interest in politics and world events while developing the social conscience that forms the backdrop of his songs.
He was twelve when his family immigrated to Toronto. He says he can trace his love of the land, the history, and the people of his adopted country to weekend family drives exploring southern Ontario. Music played a large part in these family outings. They sang traditional Scottish tunes as they drove through the Canadian countryside. Dad and sister Muriel sang melody, while mother and David sang harmonies.
His attachment to Canada grew with travel. He hitched across the country three times, then thumbed his way to the Yukon. This attachment surfaces in his songs of rail lines, farms, and the St. Lawrence Seaway. He grew to understand the people while working in Toronto train yards, the Yukon bush, and as a carpenter in the Eastern Townships. These experiences colour his first CD, Torn Screen Door, with songs like Hard Steel Mill, Gypsy Boys, and Working Poor and his second, Far End of Summer, with Highway, Flowers of Saskatchewan and February Morning Drive.
In concert David is a singer and a storyteller who can establish, in minutes, a personal rapport with his audience. His wry humour and astute observations combined with his openhearted singing style have earned him a loyal following.
David Francey's list of achievements in the folk music industry keeps on growing. David was awarded a 2008 JUNO for Right of Passage in the Roots and Traditional Album of the Year - Solo category making it his third JUNO win. Hot on the heels of consecutive JUNOs for both Far End of Summer and Skating Rink, David's fourth CD, Waking Hour earned him yet another nomination in the same category! David's song "Saints and Sinners" from his debut CD, Torn Screen Door, took first place in the folk category of the 2004 USA Songwriting Competition. David has also been the proud recipient of the Penguin Eggs Magazine's Album of the Year award for Skating Rink, Far End of Summer and Waking Hour. This January David appeared on CMT in the television documentary, Four Strong Winds, celebrating Canadian singer/songwriters and their impact on the world of popular music. David's song "Skating Rink" aired during the 2004 nationwide CBC broadcast of the Canadian Heritage Classic Hockey Game and aired before the Montreal vs Toronto game as part of Hockey Day in Canada.
Waking Hour, was recorded in Nashville with veteran performers Kieran Kane, Kevin Welch and Fats Kaplin. This collection of original Francey tunes shares the simple recording style of David's first three CDs but adds a driving rhythm provided by these amazing Nashville artists. Waking Hour appears on the Jericho Beach Music label in Canada and is on Red House Records in the U.S.
David's songs have been performed by artists worldwide. Del McCoury, James Keelaghan, Raylene Rankin and Harvey Reid, among others, have each recorded Francey tunes. Four choirs, Toronto's Common Thread, Kingston's Open Voices, Vancouver's Solidarity Notes and the Seattle Labor Chorus have performed works by David and his songs are being taught to school children in classrooms across Canada.
David has performed at all of Canada's major folk festivals along with Denmark's prestigious Tønder Festival, the Towersey Village Festival in Oxford, England and the Carrying Stream Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. He has hosted workshops that included such artists as Jesse Winchester, Dougie MacLean, Garnet Rogers, the Ennis Sisters, and Ray Bonneville. He has shared workshops with Steve Earle, Billy Bragg, Utah Phillips, Oysterband, Kate Rusby, James Keelaghan, Sylvia Tyson, Karen Savoca, Shooglenifty, Ashley MacIsaac, the Waifs, and numerous others.
Thanks for including me! What Question can I ask to empower myself and others? How can I improve the experience of those I encounter today? What can I do to facilitate your Gift?
Yesterday Is History Tomorrow is a Mystery Today is a Gift... That's why we call it the Present
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
Thanks for being an integral part of this years ArtsWells Festival and for sharing your amazing music and passion. We hope to see you back again for next year’s festival July 30 – August 2, 2009. Take care and all the best till we meet again. Peace and Love from all of the ArtsWells Crew!!
My debut single ROLLIN' IN THE HEY just broke into the top 75 on the Music Row Breakout Chart WITH A BULLET!!!. Also I was just featured in the "Listen Up" section of COUNTRY WEEKLY!!! Visit my page and click on the Country Weekly free download button to get your copy of the debut single.
Thank you for your friendship. My debut single ROLLIN' IN THE HEY is currently #84 on the Music Row Breakout Chart and is poised to break into the top 75. Request it at your local radio station today. Also the CD is finally available. Visit my page to hear samples and buy it now! Also I value your opinion about what you think my next single should be so please drop me a line.
David Stevenson, your countryman, and I just had a brief exchange about you. We expressed our mutual respect for your music. For myself, I must say wether you speak to me or for me I cannot say. What I felt I must say is thank you. Your muse has been important to me. So thank you sir. -frankie
Hi my friend David,<br />hope everything's alright and your projects are working out.<br />I'm asking you for your support. My song Light on the horizon is one of the finalists of an important german songwritercontest of Rollingstone and aspirin. You can listen to the song and vote for it on my myspace site or directly on<br /><br />http://www.aspirin.de/html/brand/songContest.html?song7<br /><br />But of course only if you like the song but I hope you'll do. If there are any problems with the german language then take a look at my blog. <br />Thank you for your support … for the sake of the song.<br />All the best from Germany for you and all your friends<br />Your friend Klaus<br />
Hi David, Wanted to drop by again & invite you and your friends to check out my new website. Just finished it yesterday. Stop by and let me know what you think. Regards, Craig- http://www.whitesalmonguitar.com/
As gospellers have said, Beneath signalling skies, On land dusty to tread, A trough in a stable Was the strawy first-bed Of a divine baby - The forgiving Godhead.
A season for new hope - There then and here now; The yuletide of goodwill - There then and here now.
In respect of this chance, Beneath bright or dark skies, Faith’s the star that we glance Attending Christ’s churches And trying to enhance, With singing and ritual, Our God-loving stance.
Thanks for the add. I appreciate your songwriting - WOW! Best of luck to you on your tour. Please consider coming to the Pacific Northwest sometime in 2009. You've got quite a following here.
Thank you David for dropping by Sioux Lookout for a show this evening. It was a pleasure to shake your hand, hear your songs, and experience your stories live. An enchanting Sunday evening indeed. Cheers - Barry
