Belfast Transfer Station employee turns trash into tunes

BELFAST, Maine (WABI) - Here’s something to smile about.

One man’s trash has become treasure for a community in Waldo County.

“There [aren’t] too many people that play this music,” said Ron Spear.

Belfast’s Ron Spear can’t remember a time before he could play the piano.

“My mother was a piano player, and dad was a trumpet player, so music was always there,” he said.

Ron was even in a band with his father, Don Spear, and has the record to prove it.

They stopped playing in the early 90s after Don’s death. But, eventually, Ron found his way back to the bench.

“I said, ‘Why should I keep all this stuff to myself?’ I’ll play for senior citizens. I played out in Bangor, at the Bangor House. I played there once. There were 172 people there. After dinner, I started playing, and half the crowd left. Why? What the, what kind of music is that? I said that’s before your time, which it was,” Spear said.

It’s true, Ron’s repertoire features music from a time well past.

But, these days it’s found a new audience in an unlikely place: the Belfast Transfer Station.

It all started about two months ago when someone was getting rid of their piano.

“This one came in, there’s nothing wrong with it. Then, what? Three weeks ago, this [organ] came in, and I’m saying, geez. It’s a Yamaha, and so, I had them bring that right in here,” Spear said. “I figured I’d start playing, and I didn’t think people would like it. I’ve had people film me. I don’t know how many times. They give me money. I don’t ask for money. Geez.”

It’s been a hit with the locals who many times will pull up a chair.

It turns out, Ron’s big online, too.

“Next thing I know, I was on Facebook. I’m all over Facebook, and I’m getting them from all over the state of Maine, likes. Likes, I got like 5,000. Unreal,” he said.

Despite the newfound attention, there’s one thing he won’t do: “A lot of them want requests. I don’t do that.”

So, no, you can’t hear “Piano Man.”

But, you might walk away learning some new favorites.

“My mother always told me, when you retire, stay busy. I’m gonna stay busy right up until I drop. I’m 73 now, and I see what happens with people that don’t do anything. I didn’t want to be one of them,” Spear said.

You can typically find Ron at the Belfast Transfer Station on Thursdays and Fridays starting at 10:00 a.m.