David Coggins

Inducted in 2023

Dave Coggins has gone above and beyond to capture and hold his audiences for over 50 years. Born in Weymouth, Nova Scotia, he is well known for his countless contributions to country music and for participating in fundraisers and charitable events in his region of southwest Nova Scotia.

Dave has been the front man and vocalist for Bonded Stock (in collaboration with long time friend, Clayton Lewis) since 1973, playing at all major Exhibitions in Southwestern Nova Scotia, Christmas Daddies Telethon in Digby, Lawrencetown Exhibition, Digby Lobster Bash, Harbour Lights Cabaret in Little Nashville, Dartmouth, Fort Scenic, Fall River, and the Fox Mountain Festivals, to name only a few.

In 1977, Dave and Bonded Stock (along with several other local country music bands of the day) had the honour of opening for Don Gibson at the Shubenacadie Raceway. In 1982 he appeared as a guest on the ATV television Show, “Maritime Country”, and on “Maritime Night” as part of the Canadian Country Music Awards held in Halifax.

Besides performing, Dave (along with Clayton Lewis), successfully organized the Digby County Country Jamboree at the Digby East Fish and Game Association facility promoting younger singers in the area by way of a talent show, while bringing in professional guests from the Halifax country scene.

In 1999 Dave and Clayton received recognition from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #61 for their dedication and service of over 30 years of playing at the Yarmouth location. This recognition came along with many other citations from Legion branches in southwestern Nova Scotia.

Most recently, in June 2023, Dave and Bonded Stock were honoured by their local area of the Town of Digby, the Municipality of Clare and Digby, the House of Assembly and the Province of Nova Scotia and others for their 50 years of performing and entertaining in Southwestern Nova Scotia and beyond.

Since 1973 Dave has recorded 5 albums as lead vocalist with Bonded Stock, the first 3 of which contained several original songs. Two of his original recordings, “Nova Scotia Sky” and “Way Before My Time”, were chartered on a number of country stations across Canada and made the top 10 at several locations.