Buskin grew up in New York City. He graduated from Brown University in 1965 in the middle of the folk music era. After Brown, he attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA where he began to write his own brand of folk-rock songs. His brother is the writer John Buskin.
Buskin signed his first recording contract with Epic Records in the early 1970s. He recorded two albums in Nashville and later toured with the rock group Pierce Arrow, recording two albums for Columbia Records. Here he met Robin Batteau, and the two decided to become a duo. David played guitar and piano; Robin guitar, mandolin, and electric violin. The partnership lasted until 1990. The Washington Post has described the duo as "an irresistible amalgam of melodic, sensual pop, folkie grit and killer wit." They appeared together, composing and performing throughout New England and New York in various clubs, including The Bottom Line.
David performs with his partners, Rob Carlson and George Wurzbach in the group "Modern Man â filling the void between The Three Tenors and The Three Stooges." "With the release of their third CD, "Assisted Living," the somewhat musical group known as Modern Man continued its assault on the out-moded idea that only those persons not yet manifesting symptoms of Alzheimer's should perform in public."
From 2005 to 2014, Buskin rejoined his former partner, Robin Batteau and percussionist Marshal Rosenberg. They created a new CD and toured as "Folk du Soleil." In April, 2014, Batteau announced his retirement from performing, but reunited with Buskin starting in 2019. From 2014 to 2015, Buskin performed with his partners in "Modern Man," with a final concert in October, 2015.
Buskin received the Clio award in 1983.
Buskin is the recipient of the "Kate Wolf Award" from the World Folk Music Association in 1999.
In 2002 Modern Man was awarded Backstage's "Bistro Award" for Best Musical."