Local fans are eagerly anticipating the arrival of The Beatleman (aka Jimmy O’Shea), who will be performing his unique one-man tribute to the life, times and music of The Beatles this Saturday at the VFW Post 6287 in Ruskin, with nearly 200 selections of Beatles songs in his repertoire.
O’Shea has performed across the country from as far north as Massachusetts (his home state), as far west as Las Vegas, and as far south as the Florida Keys.
But there is one performance that stands out in his mind as the most singularly special of his career: that of playing his original song “Little Princess Angel” for the family of Phoebe Jade Jonchuck last week at her memorial graveside in Tampa.
“When I first heard about Phoebe, my heart just went out to her and to her family,” said O’Shea. “I knew I couldn’t bring her back, but I thought maybe I could help in some way.”
O’Shea had read that 5-year-old Phoebe, who lost her life on January 8, 2015, when she was thrown over the railing of the Dick Misener Bridge into Tampa Bay, had loved flowers, rainbows and butterflies, so he sent a beautiful “dish garden” to her family that included flowers of every color and bright pink butterflies. “Then I sat down and wrote her a song,” he said.
“Little Princess Angel” became the title of the song, coined from the nickname given to Phoebe by her grandmother, Michele. “She was my little ray of sunshine,” said Michele. “She was always helping people, like showing her classmates how to zip up their jackets. She also loved singing, dancing and dressing up like a princess, so I began calling her ‘My Little Princess Angel.’”
Michele, struggling with her tragic loss, reached out to Jimmy O’Shea in Key Largo after receiving his card and beautiful floral gift. “Even though we had never met, Jimmy seemed so sincere. For some reason, he became a comfort to me,” said Michele. “The first time I heard the song he wrote, I felt so happy. Everything in the song is Phoebe.”
“I’ve always felt that music had healing powers, and I seem to have a special affinity for children,” said O’Shea. “That’s why I love performing for kids in my show.”
Little ones get a kick out of just meeting The Beatleman, said O’Shea, even though The Beatles existed long before they were born. “Yellow Submarine” and “Octopus’s Garden” are the most often requested songs by children who come to his show.
O’Shea said he is amazed at the popularity of his tribute show with both young and old alike. “I think what I’m playing is magical and positive and speaks to the child in all of us. It’s just the opposite of some of the negative messages in today’s rap music.
“The Beatles had magic,” said O’Shea. “They wanted to make the world a better place, and I think they did.”
O’Shea said he was taught by his father to “live by the heart,” and it is a philosophy he still adheres to today. “I believe in trusting people and looking for the good in people. Sure, sometimes you get hurt, but if everyone could live by their heart, the world would be in much better shape.”
“I love him so much,” said Michele Jonchuck of The Beatleman. “He’s been an inspiration to me and has helped in the healing process for the whole family.” She said she felt that Jimmy was “like an angel, coming out of nowhere,” sent specifically to help her through her tragedy.
“Phoebe was the light of my life, and I will never understand why this happened,” said Michele. “But Jimmy has shown that there are still amazing, good people out there and that brings me great comfort.”
“Fly Away, Little Angel, won’t you stay, Love is all around you, loving you today…” echo Jimmy’s lyrics.
The Beatleman will be performing at the VFW Post 6287 on U.S. 41 in Ruskin on Saturday, March 26, from 7 to 11 p.m. A steak dinner precedes the show, all open to the public. For more information, visit The Beatleman on Facebook, or go to www. vfwpost6287.com.