Obit: Allan 'Mac' McHale

Subject: Obit: Allen MacMcHale
From: kendall
Date: 12 Nov 12 - 10:13 AM

My old friend, Mac McHale died of a heart attack yesterday at 6 pm.
He is well known in the northeast for his Bluegrass, Irish and old country music.
Rest in peace my friend.

Subject: RE: Obit: Allen MacMcHale
From: maeve
Date: 12 Nov 12 - 10:15 AM

I'm sorry, Kendall. He shared a great deal of music with many friends and audiences.

Maeve

Subject: RE: Obit: Allen MacMcHale
From: kendall
Date: 12 Nov 12 - 10:17 AM

We used to enjoy picking old time songs in my living room.

Subject: RE: Obit: Allen MacMcHale
From: Charley Noble
Date: 12 Nov 12 - 10:22 AM

Kendall-

That is very sad news to hear. Another mainstay of our music community gone.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Obit: Allen MacMcHale
From: maeve
Date: 12 Nov 12 - 10:25 AM

Maine Hall of Fame:
From http://www.mackenziewsd.com/member4.htm

"Allan F. McHale
Allan "Mac" McHale

Allan McHale, born and raised in Bangor, Maine, was influenced at an early age by the live country music of Gene Hooper, Hal Lone Pine and Smiling Bill Waters on WLBZ and WABI in Bangor. He start playing banjo at age 18.

From 1965 to 1968 he had a Hootenanny Show that toured Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. His group was called The Larkin Hill Singers. From 1969 to 1971 he played mandolin and sang tenor with the Nonesuch River Singers performing throughout New England.

In 1972 he joined the White Mountain Bluegrass Band in Portsmouth, New Hampshire playing mandolin and handling bookings and business affairs. He started the Northeast Winds band in 1978 which became New England's most popular traditional Irish music group. They recorded 5 albums, 2 videos and did many TV and PBS specials.

The Old Time Radio Gang was formed in 1987 and they still keep a busy schedule playing traditional American country music in grange halls, school halls and town halls. Allan is dedicated to the preservation and presentation of the old time country music.

When he is not on tour, Allan is busy running Kennebunk River Productions."

Subject: RE: Obit: Allen MacMcHale
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 12 Nov 12 - 06:19 PM

I just found out from Bob Frost, via Facebook.

Bluegrass Today Obit

I'm still in a bit of shock.

I first met Mac in 1973 when I worked for Ashley-Jasper Associates in Kennebunk and he repped for 3M. I was present at some of the first gigs of Northeast Winds in Kennebunkport. On our wedding night, Tom and I (we were staying that night at the Captain Lord Mansion) went to see Northeast Winds at the Anchorage in Lower Village. I'm babbling...I'm in a bit of shock, I think.

He and our friend Emery Hutchins have recorded three (I think) CDs as Two Old Friends and Mac would occasionally show up at our Friday Press Room sessions.

Linn

Subject: RE: Obit: Allan "Mac" McHale
From: GUEST,Judith Hansen
Date: 12 Nov 12 - 07:44 PM

I've known Mac and been a fan for nearly 40 years. He used to play music with my college boyfriend John Cochran in the Bangor area--two good old Irish boys. We shared a pride in being Maine natives, an appreciation for Maine the way it used to be, a love of old time country and bluegrass music, fond memories of listening to country music on radio station WWVA out of Wheeling West Virginia, which in the 1950s, you could only pick up in Maine after about 10 PM. We often compared notes on the joys of being single and independent! I had the pleasure of promoting his concerts in my newspaper, The Tourist News, and am delighted that we did a feature store about him last summer. Most of all, I loved his music, his skills on (especially) mandolin and banjo. He was a treasure, optimistic and full of life, with a big heart and a ready smile. He will surely bring joy to the angels! Here on Earth, we will miss him forever.

Subject: RE: Obit: Allan "Mac" McHale
From: Jeri
Date: 12 Nov 12 - 08:02 PM

"Two Old Friends", Mac and Emery Hutchins play Orange Blossom Special.

Subject: RE: Obit: Allan 'Mac' McHale
From: kendall
Date: 13 Nov 12 - 09:51 AM

It's a hell of a shock. He was only 2 years older than I.

Subject: RE: Obit: Allan 'Mac' McHale
From: open mike
Date: 13 Nov 12 - 12:42 PM

may his music live on!

Subject: RE: Obit: Allan 'Mac' McHale
From: GUEST,Zita Hooper Wood
Date: 15 Nov 12 - 04:24 AM

he was such a good friend to my parents. they traveled with him and his wonderful band for about 15 years. i drove for my father for the last 10 years and ive never had so much fun and laughed so much! alan was just here in machias two weeks or so ago and took my mom flo and my cousin mack and girlfriend linda out to breakfast at helens and they all had a grand time.we all will surely miss him. thanks again alan for being so good to my parents they really loved you.i hope you and dad are making beautiful music up in heavan.

Subject: RE: Obit: Allan 'Mac' McHale
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 15 Nov 12 - 11:08 AM

According to Hutch, calling hours are at the Bibber Funeral Home in Kennebunk, Maine on Friday, November, 16, from 1-3 PM and 6-8 PM. The funeral will be at St. Martha's Catholic church (Rte. 1, just north of Kennebunk center of town) on Saturday, November, 17, at 11:00 AM.

Linn

Subject: RE: Obit: Allan 'Mac' McHale
From: kendall
Date: 15 Nov 12 - 01:47 PM

Hi Zita. Allan always spoke of Gene and Flo in the most loving terms. He was so happy when he learned thaT I am a Cousin to Gene. They were alway two of my favorite people and I am glad I knew them.
Give Flo a hug for me.