Singer-songwriter David Olney, who died in 2020, released more than two dozen albums through his extensive career. In 2024, New West Records released “Can’t Steal My Fire: The Songs of David Olney,” a tribute album featuring Olney’s songs performed by other artists. During this program, recorded on November 30, 2024, songwriters Steve Earle, Mary Gauthier, and Jim Lauderdale pay tribute to Olney by sharing stories about their work and friendships with him and performing some of his songs.

Lauderdale begins the program with renditions of Olney’s “Delta Blue” and “Jerusalem Tomorrow.” He later performs a song he co-wrote with Mary Gauthier and Jaimee Harris, “We’re All We’ve Got.” Gauthier and Harris perform “Women Across the River” and “1917,” both written by Olney. Gauthier also performs one of her songs, “Mercy Now,” and reads the tribute she wrote for Olney’s service at Nashville’s Belcourt Theatre. Earle plays Olney’s songs “Sister Angelina” and “Illegal Cargo,” then concludes the program with a performance of his own song “Copperhead Road.”

After moving to Nashville in the early 1970s, Olney formed the band Dave Olney and the X-Rays and toured across the country. His songs have been recorded by Emmylou Harris, Del McCoury, Kim Richey, Linda Ronstadt, Steve Young, and many others.

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