David Francey Lands 2nd Song On A Grammy-Nominated Album

By Richard Flohil

Three-time Juno award-winning singer-songwriter David Francey is elated at the news of having another song on a Grammy-nominated album.

The Travelin’ McCourys' debut self-titled album has received a Grammy nomination for Best Bluegrass Album. When discussing his recent release, Ronnie McCoury spoke about the song," Borderline," as being written by “one of my favourite writers, David Francey. I always liked his recording and arrangement of this song. I always found it to be a little haunting — it’s about a guy who has to travel to make his pay…I can relate!” (Relix Magazine)

 "Empty Train," was the first Francey song to be featured on a Grammy-nominated album. In 2016, Claire Lynch’s North by South received a nomination in the Best Bluegrass Album category.

“To have my music recognized by such incredible musicians is outstanding,” said Francey, “and for my writing to be showcased on two Grammy-nominated albums is an unbelievable honour.”

His recent album, The Broken Heart of Everything, was released in early 2018. The extraordinary song collection showcases Francey’s skill as a lyricist. His so-good-they-could-be-traditional melodies and themes of the camaraderie of small-town life, the drudgery of the daily grind, the pride in an honest day’s work, the sadness of losing loved ones, the joy of close family connections, and the quiet strength of mature love have struck a chord with audiences around the world

 He recorded this album with his long-time band-mates Mark Westberg (guitar), Chris Coole (banjo), and Darren McMullen (mandolin, bouzouki etc.) at Coole’s family cabin on Belmont Lake, Ontario. Francey's delivery is soft, smooth and emotive, a beautiful, gentle timbre arising from his ongoing struggle with vocal strain.

Francey has won three Juno awards, four Canadian Folk Music Awards, a SOCAN Folk Music Award, and three critics’ Album of the Year awards from the Canadian folk magazine, Penguin Eggs. Francey is currently working on new original material, co-writing with other talented singer-songwriters, and showing and selling his beautiful acrylic paintings across Canada.