Daniel W. Boone Maines, age 86, passed away at Marion General Hospital September 24, 2024, surrounded by his closest loved ones. He was born on November 6, 1937, to Gerald and Ellen (Ward) Maines, who brought him to their home on the rural route near Edgewood, Indiana, where he roamed the surrounding pastures and attended a country school as a child. In 1947, his family moved to Phoenix, Arizona where he eventually attended North Phoenix High School. Daniel was born into a musical family in which his father Gerald, a jazz guitarist, had taught him the rudiments of guitar picking, age ten. Soon his passion for the instrument blossomed into country and western music. By age fifteen, he was singing in the church choir where he met his lifelong friend and fellow musician, Phil “Short”” Rye, a 6’6” cowboy who led the Arizona Stringdusters band. The two played numerous venues in the Phoenix area and on the local TV station. Upon the family’s return to Indiana, Daniel joined the US Army and was stationed on the 38th parallel in Korea for the duration of his enlistment.
Following the conclusion of his military service, Dan became a tradesman, participated in productions with Civic Theater and played as rhythm guitarist with his father Gerald and Uncle Don in the Don Maines Band. Eventually, his love of the arts led Dan to New York City where he pursued his interests. He attended the New School for Social Research where he pursued his interests. He attended the New School for Social Research where he studied acting and writing. While living in a rooming house, he befriended a young couple whose guitar music lured him down the hall to their room where he knocked on the door and asked them if he could come in and play. Soon, Dan and Jesse Colin Young were fast friends, playing folk music and original compositions, heavily influenced by the blues. During their time making music together, they played in numerous coffee shops, known as basket houses, that proliferated in Greenwich Village in the 60’s. Dan was Jesse’s first singing partner. Ultimately, Dan’s musical talents were shared with his two most cherished musical partners, his sons Daniel and Doug. The Maines “home studio” welcomed many musical friends through the years where they often gathered to play folk, blues, and various forms of Rock. Daniel is survived by his sons Daniel Ward and Douglas Joseph, siter Rebecca Maines Scheer, niece Monda Maines Denault, nephew David E. Maines, great-nephew David John Maines, sister-in-law Linda Benson, and life-long friend Suzi Young. He was preceded in death by his parents Gerald and Ellen, his brother David Russell Maines, and great-niece Ellen Widen. A brief private viewing for family and close friends will be held at Raven-Choate-Robinson Funeral home at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 4th. Graveside services will follow at 3:00 at Estates of Serenity. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion Post 313, 522 E 8th Street, Fairmount, IN 46928.
