If you have spent any time in Boothbay Harbor in the last three or four decades, there is a very good chance that you have listened to and been entertained by Danny Beal.

Last night, I got word that Danny Beal had passed away. I felt like somebody had hit me on the head with a frying pan.

My first encounters with Danny were in the early to mid 80's when I met him while visiting Boothbay. He was playing at a place called Geppetto's and I thought he was great.

Later, we became friends when I was working at McSeagulls. I thought he was a bit obnoxious and over bearing at first, but it didn't take long for him to change my mind on my first impressions. This guy was not only funny and a great piano player/singer, he was very intelligent.

We stayed friends throughout the years. I worked one summer at the Boothbay Country Club in the restaurant and lounge, and that was the summer of golf. Beal lived right across the street from the golf course and we must of played at least 100 times that summer. Some political arguments, (though we were mostly in agreement on our views,) some terrible, but good natured ribbing on both of our parts about how bad we both were at golf, and lots of beverages and hot dogs paid up from friendly wagers Beal and I had made on our golf matches.

The last time I saw Danny was last summer at the Tugboat Inn. I walked in and he was playing to a full house. He saw me...stopped playing, and yelled out a derogatory comment about me in his booming voice, and went back to finishing his song. All I could do was laugh, and take it. We sat and talked outside on the deck in between sets for awhile, and I told him I would see him next summer. His reply was "God willing, I will be here"

It's sad to think Boothbay Harbor and the fine restaurants and establishments won't have the ultimate entertainer playing for them in the summer of 2017. I have never seen a guy look at a crowd and play the room the way he could.

It's sad to think that we will never play golf again..and hear him busting out laughing right after I make a bad shot.

It's sad to think his 2 boys, who he absolutely adored, have lost their father way to young.

It's sad.

For those unfamiliar with Beal's story, check out this video below.

 

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