Bluegrass and Beyond
Patrick Springs, Virginia
While many songs in folk music are credited as “traditional” or “public domain,” there is simply no song without a songwriter. Though not a household name, David “Bluegrass Buddy” Via, of Patrick County, Virginia, is known in bluegrass and jamgrass circles as one of today’s greatest and most prolific songwriters. He started singing in church at age three and playing guitar at age twelve. He also began writing his own compositions at an early age and has since gone on to pen numerous chart-topping songs for artists including Ronnie Bowman, Dede Wyland, and Larry Keel. While David’s songs are generally categorized as bluegrass, they often emanate a decidedly bluesy feel and an overt allegiance to the working-man’s folk music of the late Woody Guthrie and Johnny Cash. One of his most cherished honors was Jeanette Carter’s request that David’s song “Lord Keep the Light On” be performed at her funeral, sung by Carter Family friend and legendary country artist Marty Stuart.
Along with his skills as a songwriter, David is a fiery performer, with a commanding voice and a unique mandolin-playing style. He has recorded and performed extensively with his band Corn Tornado, a rollicking and fluid collection of musical friends, including original members Danny Knicely, John Flower, and “Fiddling Dave” Van Deventer. In addition, David has performed with Tony Rice, Tim O’Brien, Sammy Shelor, Curtis Burch, Ronnie Bowman, Larry Keel, and countless others. For the 2021 Richmond Folk Festival, David will reunite with much of Corn Tornado’s original ensemble that was showcased on the band’s critically acclaimed albums In a Holler on a Mountain and It All Comes Down to a Song, with the addition of fiddle phenom Nate Leath. This is a set not to be missed!