David’s Voice

There is something extraordinary about hearing the voice of someone we’ve lost.

In 2018, during one of the Airstream Sessions, I sat down in the Airstream with David Botten and recorded a conversation. At the time, it was simply an interview with one of those wonderfully creative people who seemed to be woven into the fabric of island life.

Today, it is something more.

It is David’s voice.

David was difficult to put into a category. He had a background in theatre. He was a graphic artist, an actor, a musician and a very funny man. He performed with Twilight Radio Theatre, hosted open mics, made amazing art, played with other musicians and generously invited people to share the stage with him. And somehow, for a man with so many talents, there was zero pretension…just that laugh and a sense that his community was important.

David could bring the same enthusiasm to washing dishes that he brought to performing. He could take on a theatrical role completely, then turn around and sit behind a drum kit, sing a song, make people laugh, or encourage somebody else to get up and have a go. He was one of those musicians who could pick up a song everyone had heard a thousand times and somehow make you listen to it again.

On May 4, 2019, I recorded the Dog House Blues Revue at the Skol Pub while broadcasting live to air. Among those recordings is a performance by David playing drums and singing. Finding that recording again recently felt like finding a little treasure that had been tucked away. Because it isn’t simply a recording anymore. It’s David’s voice.

We were shocked and deeply saddened when we learned that David was ill. He eventually left Gabriola and returned to Ontario to be with his family, and he died in 2021. In the years since, our island has said goodbye to too many musicians, artists and familiar voices. It makes these recordings increasingly precious and we continue to record musicians, raconteurs, artists and community members. Let us know if you have someone in mind.

They remind us of something that is easy to forget while we’re busy making them: we aren’t only recording programs or performances. We’re keeping voices alive... little piece of someone special that can suddenly fill a room again.

So we’re going to spend some time listening to David…not simply remembering that he was talented- although he certainly was that. Not simply remembering the actor, artist, drummer, singer or entertainer. We’re remembering the generous, funny, creative and wonderfully unassuming man behind all of it.

David’s Voice – on GABE Radio Airing Tuesday, August 11 at 8 pm

Keep on Listening at Airstreaming.org or Airstreaming on TuneIn Radio.