Bill Earl: Music man stays young with song

At 94, Bill Earl says music keeps him young.

“It's my life,” the Lewes resident says of the decades he spent performing, directing and composing music.

He may move slower these days, but when he sidles up to his baby grand piano, his fingers still fly over the keys. Beethoven, show tunes and his own compositions blend together when he puts on an impromptu concert.

At his side for the past 57 years is his wife, Haide.

“I'm amazed at what people can do at his age,” she said.

The couple has lived in Lewes for 33 years. They spend their summers at their ocean-block boarding house complex, Holly Haven, in Rehoboth Beach.

Earl said he looks forward to the summer months when he often entertains guests and encourages young musicians to pursue their talents. He spent decades teaching as music director in Montgomery County schools, encouraging students to pursue music with an enthusiasm he brings to all his projects. His legacy lives on as scores of former students have brought their families to visit him during the summer months. Former students, their children and even their grandchildren return annually to see their beloved teacher.

“Music students come and bring their instruments, and he interacts with them,” Haide said. “It's wonderful.”

Still statuesque with a shock of silver hair, Earl spent his early years studying music in New Castle, Pa., north of Pittsburgh. He pursued a music degree at Westminster College, also near Pittsburgh, he was sidetracked for a few years during World War II.

Six months before he was scheduled to graduate, Earl was drafted. Luckily for him, though, when the military found out he was a musician, they sent him straight to the Air Force Band in Miami Beach. He stayed stateside for three years playing keyboard and French horn for Air Force bands and eventually chaplain services.

“I did entertaining and it helped encourage soldiers,” he said.

Earl left the Air Force in 1946, but he didn't stop entertaining. He attended Columbia University and earned a master's degree in music. A world of entertaining opportunity opened up to him as he worked at clubs and music venues throughout New York City.

“I had three wonderful, good-paying jobs,” he said.

Looking back at his years of performing, a few memories stand out. Redhead comedienne Lucille Ball tapped him on the back one day and said, “This is my piano player.” He went on to accompany her during her shows. Then there was the time he noticed comedian Red Skeleton biting his fingernails before going on stage. Earle recommended an ointment called Thanx. “He thanked me two or three times after that for recommending Thanx. He thanked me for Thanx,” he said, chuckling over the alliteration.

Meeting famous composer Irving Berlin was also a huge thrill, he said.

Earl said he particularly admired Berlin for the 3,200 songs he wrote throughout his career. Although on a smaller scale than Berlin's, Earl has had his own success composing. He wrote the Gaithersburg High School Alma Mater and the Rockville High School football fight song during the 29 years he worked in the Montgomery County school system. “They still sing those songs today,” he said.

Locally, Earl wrote Lewes's official song, “You're Sure to Like Old Lewes.” At the request of the mayor of Rehoboth Beach, Earl said, he followed up with “Hats off to Rehoboth.”

He wrote “It's the Great Ship Called the Overfalls” in 2004 and “Song of Sussex” in 2008.

Until recently, Earl performed at area nursing homes, playing songs and show tunes for residents to sing along.

He looks back fondly on his years as director of the Lewes Men's Choir – a group he formed in 1988 – and the decades he played organ in congregations throughout the Cape Region.

However, after years of moving from one musical project to another at breakneck speed, Earl has had to adjust to a slower pace and lifestyle. Haide has stayed strong to guide him through it all.

“I won't let him get depressed,” she said. “You become more of who you are in old age. That's the better part of marriage, when you don't have to impress anyone anymore.”

For this, he pays her the utmost respect.

“Haide, you've done a good job,” he said, exchanging the kind of knowing glance a couple who have dedicated their lives to one another understands.