My blog of Dave’s death last April generated an outpouring of comments and memories from many friends both old and new to me. I’d like to share this fascinating private message from Jonathan Amos, who wrote:

“I have just read with great interest your tribute to Dave. Thank you. I wanted to add a few words to your web page. I saw Dave only once at the Newquay Folk Club in Cornwall in 1976, bought Sad Pig Dance from him at the concert and since that day have never forgotten his wonderful and unique guitar playing. It was one of life’s great mysteries to me that such talent could go unnoticed by so many.

“Today I have just found out, to my great surprise, that we both went to Framlingham College in Suffolk. I looked him up in the Society of Old Framlinghamians website and found him listed with only the briefest of details but appearing gloriously, aged 14 and 15, in four photographs of the school cricket, hockey and rugby teams. How strange that it took that cute little boy, covered in mud, another eight years before he started playing guitar. The Society has a list of Distinguished OFs but guess what, no Dave! How can they include Ed Sheeran and not Dave Evans?! I shall tell the Society the news so they can add him to the list of Distinguished OFs and also include a fitting obituary in the annual Yearbook.”

“He was certainly a very good-looking boy with a face full of character which didn’t change much into adulthood so it’s easy to spot him in these school photographs. He must have been pretty good at hockey, rugby and cricket to get into the school first teams. I can’t get over the fact that he did not start playing guitar until he was 23 (I thought I was late starting at 16!) so perhaps he was really keen on sport in those days. These photos stop at 1956 though he left the school in 1958 so I’m not sure if he lost interest in sports in his last two years or if the photos have not been uploaded.

“Anyway, I have been very pleased to come across these old photos and listen to Dave’s music again. I hope they give pleasure to others, especially old friends and relations who probably never knew such photos existed.”

Though the school’s secretary was glad to hear of Dave’s musical success and fame from Jonathan, he has yet to receive his entry, though we remain hopeful.

Meanwhile, I waited to share this until I could also share this exciting news:

Stefan Grossman chose to commemorate Dave with a new Mel Bay publication of Dave’s Sad Pig Dance tab. He included a few extras, including the rare “Squaring the Triangle” piece that I played at the last Harp Guitar Gathering. You can access the audio clip of that (provided via Dave > Frank Doucette > me > Stefan) and the others through a link given in the book.

The book contains assorted rare b&w photos, including two from the Gatherings.

Most surprisingly, the book’s only text is by yours truly. Stefan was moved by my very personal post and asked that it serve as this publication’s 4-page Introduction! I was of course floored and honored, and subsequently provided a slight shortening and updating, but essentially, it’s all there.

I hope every guitarist and friend of Dave buys a copy (preferably from your local music store or direct from Mel Bay here).