discovered fandom in 1984 and “came out of musical retirement.” His warm, strong, clear voice is one of the most distinctive in the filk community. Few singers involve an audience as completely in their music as Dave does; he is an engaging performer on stage and in filk circles. His repertoire includes many a song guaranteed to get the entire circle joining in on choruses, harmonies, and other instruments. He plays guitar with a recognizable strong rhythm, and plays dumbek, bodhran, recorder, and whistle.
Dave has released two solo albums, “Music After Midnight” and “Rambling the Galaxy”, and two albums with the group Dandelion Wine, “Circles in the Grain” and “Cheap Hooch.” These releases have been a strong influence on other filk performers. He has many songs on various con tapes, and has done backup work on albums for other filkers.
Dave has been an ambassador for the uniqueness of Canadian filk in countless filk circles, concerts, and Guest of Honour spots, especially in his promotion of songwriters such as Stan Rogers and Sam Baardman.
He organized the filk track at the 1994 Worldcon, introducing the “instaband” and filk lounge concepts to promote collaboration and friendship among filkers. He is the founding and driving force behind “Baggiecon,” a fannish party at the Winnipeg Folk Festival, and founder of the “Musician’s Hat Fund” in Winnipeg.
Dave always has a kind word at the ready and his encouragement has helped many newer filkers to give performing a try. Dave’s inclusive, yet professional, approach to music continues to be an example to all of us in the filk community.
For these contributions to filk music and the filk community, Dave Clement is inducted into the Filk Hall of Fame this twenty-seventh day of March, nineteen hundred and ninety-nine.