Dave Boquist once lived the life of a rock 'n' roll dreamer, constantly on the road, traversing the nation and the world. He is an original member of the alternative rock/country group Son Volt. After five years of performing with the band, he stopped, yet his passion for music and creativity remained. Now, at 67 years old, he is a music teacher at two Twin Cities charter schools and a part-time landscaper. Over a cup of coffee, he proves to be one of the most unassuming individuals.

Uncover the Hidden Musical Journey of Dave Boquist

Connection to St. Paul

Dave Boquist has called St. Paul home for more than 20 years. Currently, he resides on Selby Avenue. His long association with the city has been a significant part of his life.

He has witnessed the growth and changes of St. Paul over the years, and his music has been intertwined with the city's cultural fabric.

St. Paul has provided him with a stable environment to pursue his musical endeavors and share his talent with the local community.

Getting Started with Son Volt

That chapter in his life seems like a distant memory now. It was nearly 30 years ago. Before that, he worked as a social worker for several years until he was 26. Then, he decided to focus solely on music.

He took on various jobs, one of which was working at the Loring Café. Initially, he was a busboy, but he worked his way up to become a bartender. Many musicians would frequent the place.

It was during this time that he started going to the Uptown Bar for "Picking and Grinning." Maggie MacPherson, who booked the event, would invite people to perform a set of three or four songs. Boquist learned many songs there and met a lot of musicians. He played the banjo and fiddle. The Jayhawks took notice of him and he had a brief stint with them.