David Mallett, iconic Maine singer-songwriter, dies at 73
With a career spanning 4 decades, his songs were performed by artists like Pete Seeger, Emmylou Harris and John Denver and his 'Garden Song' became a folk standard.
December 18, 2024 Ray Routhier Portland Press Herald
Friends and fans of Maine singer-songwriter David Mallett remembered him Wednesday for inspiring other musicians and writing songs that convey messages of hope and love. Mallett died late Tuesday night, according to his son, Luke Mallett. He was 73.
In a career that spanned four decades, Mallett wrote songs that were performed by such nationally known artists as Alison Krauss, Pete Seeger, Emmylou Harris and John Denver. His “Garden Song” is considered a folk music standard.
He was born and lived much of his life in the small town of Sebec, near Dover-Foxcroft, aside from time spent in Nashville in the 1980s. His sons, Will and Luke, perform as The Mallett Brothers Band.
Friends and fans of Maine singer-songwriter David Mallett remembered him Wednesday for inspiring other musicians and writing songs that convey messages of hope and love. Mallett died late Tuesday night, according to his son, Luke Mallett. He was 73.
In a career that spanned four decades, Mallett wrote songs that were performed by such nationally known artists as Alison Krauss, Pete Seeger, Emmylou Harris and John Denver. His “Garden Song” is considered a folk music standard.
He was born and lived much of his life in the small town of Sebec, near Dover-Foxcroft, aside from time spent in Nashville in the 1980s. His sons, Will and Luke, perform as The Mallett Brothers Band.
Though Mallett’s songs were informed by his life in small-town Maine, people anywhere could relate to them on an emotional level, said Maine humorist Tim Sample, a longtime friend.
“He took this raw material about his life and family in Maine, the fabric of Maine, and wove them into songs that anyone in the country could identify with,” said Sample, who performed with Mallett at the Common Ground Country Fair in Unity in 2023. “He loved the state of Maine and his passion came out in his music.”
Sample pointed to the song “Fire,” released in 1978, as an example. It’s about a fire that burned the Mallett family farm to the ground when he was young but also about family history and loss.
Mallett’s “Garden Song” came from his love for the land and growing things in Maine soil. It was written in 1975 and became a popular children’s song performed by a dozen or so artists, including Mainer Noel Paul Stookey of the folk trio Peter, Paul & Mary, as well as Arlo Guthrie and John Denver. The song, about the tools, work and rain needed to make a garden grow, was also made into a children’s picture book.
During his long career, Mallett performed across the country and in Canada and Europe. He appeared on radio and TV, including National Public Radio’s “A Prairie Home Companion.” His career began when he was 11, singing in a folk duo with his brother, Neil. They appeared on local TV and recorded songs that were played on the radio.
While studying acting at the University of Maine, he was influenced by singer-songwriters like Gordon Lightfoot and Bob Dylan, and decided to begin performing solo. In 1975, he started working with Stookey, who had a recording studio in Blue Hill. Stookey brought “Garden Song” to the attention of folk legend Pete Seeger, who included it on one of his albums. Denver’s version, released in 1979, reached No. 31 on the Billboard adult contemporary chart.
Mallett lived and worked in Nashville in the 1980s and had songs recorded by country and folk stars like Marty Stuart, Hal Ketchum, Kathy Mattea, Harris, Krauss and others. Back in Maine over the past three decades, he continued to perform and record new songs.
The internet-based folk music fan group Folkwax picked his release “Artist in Me” as album of the year in 2003. In 2014, the University of Maine gave Mallett an honorary doctorate in recognition of his contribution to the state’s cultural heritage. In recent years, he’s often appeared on stage with his sons in The Mallett Brothers Band.
Mallett performed at Gov. Janet Mills’ second inauguration, in 2023, and has performed at the Blaine House several times during her time in office. Mills posted on X that she was “deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my friend.” She referred to Mallett as the “living embodiment” of Maine.
In an interview, Mills said she is a longtime fan of Mallett and his music.
“He’s an icon of Maine,” she said Wednesday. “I have seen him perform numerous times, numerous times over the decades, and it’s always inspiring.”
Mills said her favorite songs include “Celebration,” “Autumn” and “Hope for One and All,” which he performed at the inauguration and describes starting an old car in the middle of winter.
She said Mallett’s gift with the pen and soothing voice will continue to leave an imprint in Maine for years to come.
“His songs will last forever,” Mills said.
Other Maine musicians and artists have often credited Mallett with inspiring them in their work and lives. Speaking through tears Wednesday, singer-songwriter Anni Clark, of Old Orchard Beach, said she was “just broken” by the news of his death.
“He paved the way for many of us here in this little state of Maine. He gave us hope and told us that we could make a difference if we wrote and shared our words in music,” said Clark.
On Facebook, Clark said that Mallett’s music contained messages aimed at making the world a better place, urging people “to slow down … to see, hear, taste, embrace & share the simple & good things in life.”