In the Country with Dave Woods:
Denver Bohdal

This month, the spotlight is on Essex, Ontario’s Denver Bohdal.

Welcome to the Spotlight, Denver! Please share with us the story behind your debut release, “Before I Could Drive”.
Thanks so much for having me, Dave! “Before I Could Drive” was my first release, having been released on July 24th. Around Christmas in 2025, I was playing a gig at a pub near my house called Brookston Oaks. After my first set, a man named Mr. John Flood approached me and asked me, “Have you been writing any songs lately?” I was a bit embarrassed to admit it, but I explained to him how it was very difficult for me to write as I was just 15 years old – I couldn’t drink, drive, or have a family of my own yet. Even though he listened and understood, he replied to me, saying, “But look at you, buddy, you’re getting up and playing for people before you’re even able to drive!” When he said this, we both shared a look before I told him, “That’s the name of our song, Mr. Flood!” The next week, Mr. Flood, Sean Lavin, and I worked together to co-write this song, which tells the story of the craziness of travelling on the road to play music before I’m able to drive (legally).

You picked up your Dad’s guitar a couple of years ago and taught yourself to play. What inspired you to do that?
Growing up, I was never really surrounded by music. I always enjoyed public speaking and listening to music here and there, but nobody in my immediate family played music (well) or sang – we were a hockey family that always pushed hard work even when things got tough. In March of 2024, my family was out of the house for the day, so I was home alone crushing Fortnite and Chel with my buddies while listening to “Something In The Orange” by Zach Bryan on repeat. When I was done with the PS5, I went upstairs feeling bored, when my eye caught my Dad’s old, beat-up, but otherwise basically untouched Epiphone guitar. Nothing but spontaneous curiosity, plus my new favourite Zach Bryan song, led me to spend the rest of the day watching YouTube guitar tutorials on “Something In The Orange”. Even though my newfound rendition sounded absolutely awful, I was pretty proud of myself, and it touched a part of my soul I didn’t know I had. That’s kind of where I discovered music and started to feel a desire to learn everything there was to be learnt.

Who are a few of your musical influences and why are they important to you?
I listen to a lot of Americana and Folk musicians that inspire me in different ways. Lyrically, I look up to artists like Stephen Wilson Jr. and Sam Barber, who write their songs as powerful stories instead of cliches that everyone has already heard. Melodically, I really like artists like Noah Kahan and Zach Bryan. I like how artists like that are versatile enough to write songs that are sad, happy, fast, or slow, while still making you feel something in your heart.

What is your favourite part about writing songs?
My favourite part about writing songs is the fact that you can write a song about pretty much anything. When I started writing songs, I assumed every song needed to be based on something you experienced or something with a really deep, general meaning. However, after a little time, I started to realize that the words you write on paper can mean something different to every person who hears them. A song about falling behind on school assignments can relate to a toxic relationship for other people. The true beauty of writing songs to me is the fact that you can make someone feel an infinite amount of emotions just through a set of metal strings on a wooden box and your voice.

What is the favourite stage you’ve played on so far?
My favourite stage that I played on so far was the Essex County Nashville Takeover writer’s round at Rochester Place. Although it was not the biggest stage in the world, this event introduced me to writer’s rounds with incredibly talented partners and a phenomenal audience. This was the first time I felt truly comfortable and excited to share my original writing to an awesome audience. This performance opened the door for me to network and connect with different people while helping me to practice performing in front of a large crowd.

Who would be your ultimate duet partner and why?
My ultimate dream duet partner would be my Grandpa. He died 6 years before I was born, and he was supposedly the greatest accordion player in the world (as said by my Grandma). He wasn’t famous, and I never got to meet him, but I still feel him in my heart every day. Growing up, people constantly told me stories about him and compared him to me. I think about him all the time, and I always wish I had the opportunity to meet him. Since I started playing music, my wish has grown stronger, with the dream that one day I’ll be able to play a song or two with him. However, if Dave Woods learns the guitar, that’ll have to be at the top of my list!

At just 16, you’re off to a great start in music. What are some of your goals for your music career over the next few years?
Over the next few years, I hope to write as much as possible and release as much music as I can. Catching a song live or seeing a clip on TikTok is cool, but releasing music lets people truly listen to and connect with it as much as they want. Additionally, I really hope to get at least my G2 in the next few years so I can drive myself from gig to gig.

Thanks for joining me here in the Spotlight, Denver & all the best with your music career as it continues to build! To our readers, you can check out all things Denver here: https://linktr.ee/denverbohdal