What happened to 49-year-old Big D singer David McWane? GoFundMe crosses $45K amid health battle

A wave of support is pouring in for 49-year-old American musician David McWane after news of his cancer diagnosis left fans and the music industry shaken. As he undergoes treatment, supporters have rallied around him, launching a fundraiser to ease the burden of everyday expenses. The campaign on GoFundMe has already raised more than $45,000, turning a difficult moment into a powerful show of solidarity and hope. Let's find out more about what exactly happened to him.

The fundraiser was started by Ryan O'Connell, a bandmate of David McWane from the ska-punk band Big D and the Kids Table. According to PrimeTimer, sharing the difficult news, Ryan O'Connell spoke about David McWane's cancer diagnosis in a message on the GoFundMe fundraiser page. He revealed that McWane is currently undergoing treatment and is facing rising daily expenses while focusing on his health.

Additionally, Ryan also highlighted how McWane has spent decades uplifting others through his music and friendships, building a strong community around the band Big D and the Kids Table. The fundraiser, he said, was created so fans and friends can support McWane during this challenging time and help him focus on recovery.

"Today we’re launching a GoFundMe for our friend and bandmate, Dave.

Dave is currently in treatment for cancer and hasn’t been able to work, and the financial strain has started to build. He’s always been someone who shows up for the people in his life, his friends, his band, and his family and now it’s our turn to show up for him," the post mentioned.



As soon as the post surfaced on social media, it quickly grabbed the attention of McWane's fans. One wrote, "Sending all the love and positive energy to you and the fam, Dave; we love you!!!"

While another said, "Dave, you have inspired the Suburban Legends since Ska is Dead 2004, but you also made your way into all our hearts! Let’s fight this fight!"

"Is it possible to add the URL as a link? It’s not currently clickable or copiable from the profile", one added.

"One time at Warped Tour, probably around 2004, my buddy and I saw Dave at his merch booth. He noticed my friend's glasses were smashed. We explained how they got destroyed in the pit during LAX. Dave gave us free Big D T-shirts. Great guy."

David McWane, who has spent nearly three decades touring with the ska-punk band Big D and the Kid Table, is also an educator and writer. He currently teaches in the music industry programme at Northeastern University and has previously taught music, songwriting and music business at Bay State College and Northern Vermont University.

McWane studied at Berklee College of Music, where he earned a bachelor's degree in music business, music production, and engineering. Alongside his music career, he is also a writer and has self-published books, including The Modern American Gipsy, Kringle, and Let The Poets Come & Stop Me.