By Kate Bartlett
Many locals and visitors alike are familiar with Jack Smeltz for his weekly column in The Villager newspaper, and his love and support for musicians. Jack’s weekly column, “What’s Shakin’”, highlights all music events in the Ellicottville area for the upcoming 7 days, which he has been writing for 7 years. His passion for music is evident in his support for local and visiting artists, and he is a true musician at heart with a remarkable story.
nnnnnJack was born and raised in Cleveland Ohio, moving to Ellicottville 12 years ago. His first music experience was as a Cub Scout at 8 years old, when he watched his friend Joey Santora tap dance on stage. Jack remembers watching the performance and telling his mom he wanted to learn to dance. 12 years of dance ensued.
Always a performer, Jack loved the stage. “I was never shy. I loved, and still love, performing.” Jack became a regular on the Gene Carroll Show, a local talent/variety show on television in Cleveland.
At age 9, he was approached by a group of neighborhood friends to play bass guitar in their band. “I had no idea how to play guitar, but they knew my reputation for performing, and convinced me to learn.” His friends brought a Venture Learn to Play Album and Jack taught himself guitar by ear through these four songs. The band, Horizons, played locally in neighborhood spots, and Jack loved his first year playing on stage.
Jack stuck with music and focused on improving his guitar skills. He began singing vocals and played throughout High School, until he was drafted into the Army. Naturally, he assembled a band while stationed in the Army, a 3-piece band rightly called U.S. (pounced ‘us’). The band played at various locations around Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where they were stationed, frequently at a place called “The Joint.” They met and befriended a few noteworthy musicians, including The Ozark Mountain Daredevils, who asked them to come on tour; however, this didn’t align with their Army duties.
After Jack was discharged from the Army, he moved home to Cleveland. He won a local talent contest at the Greenville Inn as a duo with a friend on harmonica, and Jack playing guitar. “We won by a landslide because we were the only ones who entered the contest,” laughs Jack. Regardless, they were awarded a full-night’s gig playing at the Greenville Inn, so they recruited more band members.
The Kosmic Kowboy Band, a 5-member country/rock band consisting of 2 guitar payers, bass, harmonica and drums, played for about 10 years and weekly at the Greenville Inn in Cleveland, Oh. The establishment still hosts live music weekly since the Kowboys started playing 49 years ago. “There’s even a plaque commemorating our band at the Greenville, and we literally left our mark on the place.” During their last song, Fire on the Mountain, harmonica player Doug Jones frequently took a shot of 151 liquor, and blew out a flame, shocking the audience and going out with a bang. “On our last night,” recalls Jack, “Doug did his stunt, but it scorched the ceiling, leaving a black mark for years to come.” The Kosmic Kowboy Band left their mark on the Greenville Inn, literally and figuratively, gaining a remarkable following in Cleveland for about 6 years.
Jack took a bit of a hiatus from performing while he raised his family for about 15 years. He was asked by a friend to return to music, and they started the last band Jack played in (so far), The Rogue Scholars. This band played blues and jazz-oriented rock covers, Allman Brothers, Steely Dan and more. Jack enjoyed playing with this group as it was his first venture in playing percussion.
Once Jack had an ‘empty nest’ and his kids had moved away, he decided to move to Ellicottville. “Skiing brought me here, but the music has kept me here.” Jack started his column, “What’s Shakin’” in The Villager, which has fulfilled his need for music in his life. “Ellicottville has always had a vibrant music scene,” explains Jack. “I’ve had the honor of meeting and befriending various traveling artists over the years, from Grammy Award winning artists to country and blues Awards Winners; there are so many talented musicians who visit the area.”
Jack enjoys building relationships with the musicians, and even used to cook meals for them when they were traveling through the area. “I know what it’s like to be a traveling musician, and nothing beats a home cooked meal.” Through his column, along with other efforts, he encourages everyone to support live music, and local musicians.
“Music is the universal language. It heals people. It brings people of all different backgrounds together. It facilitates connections between us. It unites us.”
Follow Jack’s weekly column in The Villager for upcoming artists to Ellicottville, and in the words of Jack “Please always, always, always, support live music.”