Dirigo Deep Dives #5: Jay Beal

This installment of Dirigo Deep Dives brings us a first: a real-life and original member of the Club’s already-legendary band. Love those not-so-dulcet tones echoing across Fitzy? They’re the work of bass drummer Jay Beal and his bandmates. Deep Diver first met Jay at the end-of-season DU party held at Allagash in November. Like every other Deep Dive subject, Jay is a delight to talk to, a warm and kind soul, and has a fascinating personal story.

Music is the thread that weaves through Jay’s life. In fact, during our Zoom interview, Jay was sitting outside the Webb's Mills Village Store in Casco-- his local haunt turned soccer bar-- where he was waiting to play at a Thursday jam night for musicians. “Whoever comes in and wants to play is welcome,” he explains. Deep Diver stopped counting all the instruments Jay plays, but remembers they include violin, mandolin, drums, and something called a resonator guitar. And he sings! How many people do you know whose early years included the Brunswick Regional Youth Orchestra, a Nutcracker Burlesque production (shout out to Vivid Motion Dance- that sounds like something DU members gotta see!) and currently plays in a 60s Surf Rock band (The 3Wheelers)? He now brings his talents to everything from singing Karaoke to playing accordion in a local Folk/Bluegrass band, and of course, keeping the beat at Fitzy. When Sam, the other OG bass drummer, isn’t available, it’s Jay’s precision drumming leading us in the Heart Beat clap as the seconds count down to the game’s opening kick. “There’s no way to overstate music’s influence on my life,” Jay explained.  "I have met so many wonderful people through music, including my wife Anne who I met at WMPG 23 or so years ago while dropping my band's CD off at the station. I was so captivated by her dedication to the craft, not only had she been on-air for 20+ years at the time, but she also produced her own Heavy Metal music show, ‘Musical Mayhem,’ on Portland Public Access TV (ch 2) using VHS tapes she got from record labels. I play all types of music but Metal has always been our bond."

Photo Courtesy of Jenna Daly

Jay’s also got soccer deep in his veins, starting with playing as a youth in Topsham and more recently participating in league play at Casco Bay Sports in Westbrook and at Fitzy! He created and led the soccer team for his employer, Systems Engineering from 2014-2020. Hearing rumors on the benches, he was an early adherent to “USL to Portland” and along the way got invited to the DU Discord and to the band by our fearless leader, Don. Jay played in the very first sessions where the Bandits built the “sound of the band.” All this long before Portland had a team, a name, or a jersey. His personality is ideal for the DU and for the Hearts. “I’m a people person,” he says. He’s happy to start up conversations with anyone, which Deep Diver can attest. Jay’s philosophy about the entire enterprise is grounded in the kindness and community spirit that Hearts and DU embody. “I was glad to see how the team took off in a community direction. I thought it would take off in a soccer-only direction.” So when he saw how deeply the HOP were working to connect with our community, he took the same approach in joining the DU. “What can I do for the DU?” he asked and decided the answer was music. Indeed, even though the season was over and no events are planned, Jay had spent the previous evening at a Valentine Bandits rehearsal. Deep Diver hopes Gabe is reading this because Jay’s experience matches perfectly with the founder’s intentions of putting community first. (Deep Diver agrees but hastens to add that the soccer was great too!)

Last captivating and truly unique thing about Jay's family- his wife, Anne Beal, is the owner/operator of the Meow Lounge in Westbrook, Maine’s first cat lounge (a 501(c)3 non-profit). Anne is a hero to the cat rescue community, the force behind over 800 adoptions and she hopes to sponsor local spay/neuter clinics in the future. The Lounge typically has over 20 resident cats for visitors to meet and adopt on any given day. Anne works with over 10 shelters around the state to foster cats on their way to permanent homes. They share their Casco home with a herd of rescued felines (and pet Pig, Benny). Deep Diver can’t think of a more purrfect career for a DU family member: doing good work, helping others, and all in a quirky and fun way! Thanks to Anne and to Jay for making Maine a better place and for bringing your talents and joy to the DU, to the Hearts of Pine, and to the Zoo. Purrhaps the DU can adopt a cat as our mascot? Would look really cute in the new candystripe kit!