The Magic and Legendary of the Leaders of the Band
By Darlene Mae O’Connor
As I stepped through the door and crossed the threshold, I was immediately filled with that indescribable sense of joy you feel when after a long journey, you finally make it home. I remember RUSH was playing “The Spirit of Radio” at high decibels in my headset and I gave into the irresistible urge to air guitar to the riff. I felt the energy of airwaves crackling with light and the bright antennas glistening with the energy, everywhere in the store/studio/museum that is CHAUTAQUA MUSIC. I was greeted by a knowing grin on the face of a man resembling a young Gregg Allman. We chuckled at my expense and thus began a series of chats, reminiscing of younger days growing up in Jamestown and our collective generational respect for musical genius. We are in agreement that the contribution music makes in cultural and social evolution is not just tangible but, necessary. It is how we relate to those who went before us and to those who will follow us and it is how we relate to each other while we are here. The air takes on a feeling of shared experiences. I sense that like myself, he too feels a responsibility for the future success of our community and that he has a vision for our it.
Mr. Billy Kates is the owner of the iconic store of all thing’s music, as well as, another keeper of the light that once shone so brightly on the landscape of our city’s past. A scholar and a gentleman, Billy is one of those people I really enjoy talking to, but who make for a tough interview. Reluctant to draw attention to himself, I had to assure him that my aim is true and the motivation behind the articles I write is to promote the potential here in these “Enchanted Hills”. That it is my hope to help residents remember the days when Jamestown was the “Small Town with a Big City Attitude” and we had the props to back it up! I love telling stories from those gone-by days to inspire people here today to understand the roots of our historical talent and entrepreneurial spirit grow deep here. That by tapping into the vast vault of stories from the “glory” days, we might ignite the collective “Can-Do Spirit” we Western New Yorkers are infamous for. Billy is one of Jamestown’s biggest fans who sees and understands the enormous wealth of talent in our community, over all aspects of academics, art and enterprise. He too believes, that to revive what was once the vibrant city known then as, “The Furniture Capital” of the country and the big name on the Southwestern, New York “Talent” scene, it will require a spirit of cooperation among local business and civic leaders and their combined willingness to promote our great wealth of cultural history and deep well of local talent. To quote him, “We are the prodigals come home to roost and we aren’t going anywhere”. Jamestown is known for launching the careers of many individuals in all aspects of the Arts and Entertainment. Lucille Ball and The Ten Thousand Maniacs are just of the more famous names. We have given rise to “Stars” in the fields of Science and Engineering, Textiles, Environmental Conservation: Research and Development and all while promoting the growing number of “Cottage Industries” and protecting our “Cultural Heritage”. This is and must continue to be the “Nature” of how we do things here in a Tree City! Not just for personal gain, but for our collective futures and the preservation of our contributions to a rich history for our posterity.
Though despite having a decade between us and not having personally met one another, Billy and I discovered there was a common thread between us. We are both tied into the musical heritage of our city through our parents love of music. They were sought-after performers and because John Davis, Billy’s dad, provided consistent access to high quality instruments and the contemporary sounds and tools of the times, we are heirs of their places in the rich history of Music in Jamestown and its influence on the culture of the day.
Growing up in families of musicians, we were exposed to music from all genres. We are descendants of the Rat Pack and the Big Band eras and the younger siblings of the “Woodstock” and the “Dead Head” generation. His great friend and fellow musician, Chris Cotter, is quoted as saying and has written an original song by the same title, “We are in the Twilight of the Idols”. Chris is a nurturer of our musical history and he gives lessons to Guitarists of future fame. He is local and can be found in the historic Jamestown Furniture Building. Another important cornerstone.
As contemporaries to the minds that created “Orchestrated Rock and Roll”, our hero’s lay claim to “Rock Opera”, “Jazz Fusion” and the “British Invasion”. The sounds of Peter Gabriel, Sting, David Bowie, David Byrne and the like, incorporate rhythms from across the globe confirming that music is the “Universal” language. The list of Legends in our time is long and like his father Billy not only carries on with the business his father built, but with his commitment to local musicians to provide access to the most contemporary music and instruments of the day, but he is committed to evolving with the music and the musicians of tomorrow. Moving into the future, coming out of a few tough years globally, Billy is hopeful about our future here in Chautauqua County. As he said, “Per Capita, this region has more talent in the Fine and Performing Arts than any where else I have ever lived or visited”. Having traveled a bit, myself and spending 30 years in booming S.W. Florida, I can concur. Having met two of his children, I can confirm he is growing future assets for our citizenry and sending out “Ripples” expanding our pool of great talent. His daughter plays Baritone Sax and her brother Guitar. Billy plays the Drums, but he is really passionate about guitars. He can find parts for and repair instruments, amplifiers and equipment other retailers may have never heard of. In his realm of the “Contemporary and Historical”, he has the same Hammond B3 and Leslie Speaker my father performed on back in the “Jamestown Hey Day’s”. His Mother performed on the same and she has left an indelible mark here as a legendary Pianist and Piano teacher, but when Billy stated his passion for rock and roll, his piano teacher laid out sheet music for a rock song and that was when his mom, his teacher and Billy decided the drums were a better fit!
All that to say this… it is the movers and shakers like Billy Kates, of Chautauqua Music, our publisher Jeanine, Andrea Latona who creates wonders at “Full Moon Rising” and the likes of “the BIODOME project, JSP Skate Park and Products and those who are “On Tap” to be Future Features to carry us into a Bright Tomorrow and filling our hills with the Sweet Sound of Music.
Visit Billy in his incredible museum of modern music at CHAUTAUQUA MUSIC 110 Second St. Downtown Jamestown or visit him on Facebook. He will quickly respond. Especially if you are racing a deadline with the story you are writing about him. He is a very humble and honest human being.
In Closing,,, Rock On Jamestown, Rock On!