Muncie blues musician Governor Davis has passed away after battling COVID-19 for more than a month. According to the Governor Davis Band’s Facebook page, the 73-year-old died on Wednesday, Oct. 13.
A 1977 Ball State University graduate, Davis formed his own blues group, the Governor Davis Band. He went on to tour in Muncie, but in Fort Wayne, Bloomington, Indianapolis and beyond Indiana.
In the beginning of September, Davis posted on his social media account that he had been admitted to IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital due to COVID-19. From there, a GoFundMe was started for him and his spouse, Gina.
Sight and Sound Music Center, where Davis had worked for about two decades, kept the public updated on his health via social media. By mid-September, Davis had been put on life support, and on Oct. 13, Jason Struble, owner of Sight and Sound, announced Davis’ death.
Dawna Sodders-Simpson, a former background singer of Davis’, told The Star Press no one had a bad word to say about the musician.
“He was bigger than life. He never met a stranger. He was truly a legend,” Sodders-Simpson said.
As Davis travelled throughout Indiana and beyond, he also spent about 22 years sharing his gift with others at Sight and Sound Music Center in Muncie.
In that time, Struble estimated, he probably taught hundreds, if not thousands, of students.
“He inspired so many people to play music. He taught everybody, from little kids to adults. I know of so many circumstances where people said, ‘Governor was the reason I started guitar, and then I followed him, and he’s the reason I wanted to learn the blues,'” Struble said. “He was the kind of guy that was… He always cared about sharing music with other people.”
Although along with his iconic style, it was always about the music, and sharing it with others.
As the news of Davis’ death spread, Sodders-Simpson said she’s watched former students and fellow musicians post their favorite memories and photos of Davis, recalling everything on his Facebook page.
“A lot of people are just really devastated at this time over his loss,” Sodders-Simpson said. “He was a jewel of Muncie.
To support Davis’ wife and family pay for his medical bills and other expenses, Sight and Sound shall hold a benefit later this month.
Struble, who also has his own production company, is trying to bring musicians and the community together for a night of music and fundraising. Prior to Davis’ death, organizers of the original GoFundMe were able to raise $4,935 as well.