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Hi Folks,

I got this very sad news today. Hal is a very long time JPF member who participated in the very first East Coast Roadtrip and continued up until the most recent JPF event in Nashville at Pineyfest and the showcase on that Saturday. He was a great guy and will be missed a great deal by all of us who knew him. He was very talented and was a previous JPF Music Awards nominee as well. Here's the email I got from his friend and fellow JPF member Guy-Michael Grande.

Dear friends,

It is with deep sadness that I write you this morning with the news of Hal Benoit's sudden passing. On Sunday, March 9th, Hal was taken to the Summit Medical Center (here in Nashville), where he suffered several heart attacks and died. He was 52 years old.

Over the years, each of us has had the privilege of experiencing Hal's abundant musicality up close, many performing with him, getting to know him and becoming close friends in the process. Hal was a true artist who expressed himself vigorously both on- and off-stage, and he will be greatly missed.

While specific details about a memorial service (in his native Western Mass.) are unknown at this point, please join me in keeping his family -- especially his sons Michael and Willy -- in your thoughts and prayers this week.

Take care and God bless,
Guy

+++++

Guy-Michael Grande
Route Five Records
Nashville, TN


Brian Austin Whitney
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I have nothing but great memories of Hal. He was a barrel of fun and a spectacular musician... he'll be missed for sure.


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I've missed having Hal around since he moved to Nashville. Both playing together and running into each other at the deli counter to stock up for the kids school lunches. (We both did that ridiculously late in the evening when there was no one else in the market.) Now, unfortunately that's going to be a permanent feeling. He really was a giving person and a great musician.

Hal really believed that making music was all about sharing feelings and the interaction of live music in the moment. Didn't matter if the musican was a pro or a novice as long as they were truthfully expressing themself on the instrument or in their songwriting. Those of you who didn't know him can get a feel for his music on his myspace page http://www.myspace.com/halbenoit or if you've got a little more time in this interview he did on the "Jopeycast": http://ia301136.us.archive.org/3/items/JoeFitzpatrickjopeycast22/jopeycast22.mp3

I can't believe he's gone.


Marty my home

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Didn't have the privelege of knowing him, but I will raise a drink to a fellow JPFer tonight. R.I.P Hal.


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Originally Posted by Bob Cushing
Didn't have the privelege of knowing him, but I will raise a drink to a fellow JPFer tonight. R.I.P Hal
.

Same here.
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Now I am trying to remember if I saw him. If he performed at Pinefest this year I must have seen him but I met a lot of new folks at that event and I am trying to recall. Did he post by the name of Hal Benoit? 52 is way too young. Sobering.


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Me too...does anyone have a picture of him to post? RIP Hal


Herbie
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For those at the show, if you remember I kept joking that most of our Western Mass chapter was in attendance at that showcase. I will look for the showcase pics. My recent computer crash makes that problematic but I will try to hunt one down.

Brian


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Here's a photo of Hal performing at Lyrix this year in Nashville on Saturday over Pineyfest weekend.

[Linked Image]


It's hard to believe he's gone.. it shows all of us that you never know how long you've got so try and make the most of it.

Brian


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Here's one more I found.

[Linked Image]

Brian


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Quote
Didn't have the privelege of knowing him, but I will raise a drink to a fellow JPFer tonight. R.I.P Hal.


I'm raising my glass now. I'll burn an extra incense for him and all the folks we've lost lately tonight during practice. Rest in Peace all of our friends.

Thanks for the photos Brian, it helps bring it home.


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In the middle of life...We are all on the edge of life..R.I.P. Hal ..God Bless.

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Amen frown




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I was told that the family is going to have Hal cremated in Nashville and then returned to Mass. He leaves behind 15 and 19 year old sons. I still can't believe he's gone. I keep running our conversations through in my head.. he was so excited to be pursuing music in Nashville... this really sucks.

Brian


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Gosh, he sure didn't look sick...unreal...I am embroiled in health problems lately, my father passed away 2 weeks ago at 79, and my mom just found out she has a 4 inch tumor near her navel...had a bunch of blood tests today. Life can change "in a blink"


Herbie
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http://www.herbietunes.com

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Here's to you Hal. I never got to know you, but we're all family here. Our prayers to the family.

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I remember him, nice fellow. Our prayers here go out to his family.


You've got to know your limitations. I don't know what your limitations are. I found out what mine were when I was twelve. I found out that there weren't too many limitations, if I did it my way. -Johnny Cash

It's only music.
-niteshift

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So sorry to hear this. Hal looks like a great guy. Best wishes to his family...I imagine he left a bit of his voice and music behind for them...that may be a great comfort in years to come.

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Sympathies to his family and personal friends. I can see and hear his good spirit in his pictures and his music. Will be missed by many, for sure.

His sons are so young. Seeing how he has affected many people, (on his site too), I bet his sons will at some day in the future tell stories about their dad, and some will be told back to them.

For now though, it must be so tough to have that happen for his sons, at least. It was bad for me when my dad died when I was 43.

He seems to have gone while being active in his music. That will be a gift to treasure for the ones hearing him recently.

Just keep going, everyone, everyday. Realize how fragile we are, and live as if not.

Every day is special. Hal must have had tons of them. That is what probably drew people to him. His thrill for life through his music. With that, he lives on.



Actually a Member Since 1996 or 97 (Number One Hundred Something).
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The sobering thing about a heart condition is that sometimes the first symtom is ...death. The early and mid fifties are times in men's lives when there is a bump in heart related fatalities. The good news is that if you make it into your 60's and you don't show signs of heart disease, you have an excellent chance of making it into your eighties and beyond. That is no consolation for his young son's and that is the worst part of this. It is going to be emotionally very hard on them and probably financially very tough for the family if he was the major bread winner.

Thanks Brian for the pictures and Marty for the music and interview links.


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its sad to hear about Hal. we all will miss him may he rest in peace...

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Sad..... and such a young age......we will miss him. RIP Hal

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That Hawaiian Shirt sure looks Familiar...I prolly met him at one of the Pineyfests I made it to... Sure sad to lose ANY JPFer...especially One So-Young! (& So Talented!)

Almost lost my kid-brother to a heart attack last May...KNOW how Unexpected these things are..really sad to hear Hal didn't get a second chance/Hope his family gets through this OK!

My Condolences,
Stan

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My deepest sympathy to his sons and family. I did not know him but to know he attended Pineyfest and rubbed elbows with our pal "Bobbalina" automatically reserves a special spot for him above. Thanks for letting everyone know, Brian... and for the photos. Gosh, this strikes "close to home" 'cause he was such a young man. (I remember when I believed 30 was old!)

May Hal rest in peace and memories last forever among his friends.

Dave

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Folks
This thread is almost three years old.

I'll add my sympathies for this man's family. I did not know him.


Bill
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Didnt know him but it is good to be remembered.

I am sure those who knew him will read this OLD POST and pass a few moments thoughts for him and his family. Thats Good

God Bless Roy and helen


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