“Empathy stands out. Caring about each other is the foundation of society. Without empathy, diseases like AIDS would run rampant, wildfires would be worse and so on. Government would work better if there was more empathy — and it helps us all sleep better at night,” Jerry Kolb.
BILL KNIGHT
Family and music are important to Jerry Kolb, a 63-year-old Peorian probably familiar for his behind-the-scenes presence at music shows, or his behind-the-bar sight at the popular “State & Main” program on WTVP-TV 47 for years.
Kolb traces his roots to Kentucky, where parents Ken and Doris met as University of Louisville freshmen, married in 1948, earned doctorates at The Ohio State University, and worked in chemistry in Indiana and New York before moving to Peoria in 1965, when Ken was hired to teach chemistry at Bradley.
“She was a stay-at-home mom for about two months,” Jerry says, adding that Doris became the first executive director at Planned Parenthood of Greater Peoria before being hired as Illinois Central College’s first chemistry professor and co-authoring “Chemistry for Changing Times.”
After retiring from ICC in 1986, Doris started teaching at Bradley, where Ken started a popular junior-level chemistry course for non-majors, and the two devoted arts supporters ended their careers as nationally respected emeritus faculty.
Jerry himself earned a degree in accounting at Bradley, and his career took him from business to communications. He served on the board at WTVP, then its chief operating officer, and launched “State & Main,” a local live-music show with the atmosphere of a nightclub.
“We didn’t have a license to sell liquor, so we gave it away,” Jerryj (at right) says, laughing. “It was popular, with acts from New York, California, all over, and it ran for three years. I had the fourth year booked when I was fired.”
Jerry and wife Laura have two daughters, and they and their extended family have used Jerry’s passion for music and the legacy of Doris and Ken to continue the music. Jerry’s helped promote shows at the 3300 Event Center and the Blue Ridge performances outside Chillicothe, and with Bradley’s Doris Kolb Women in Music Concert Series, which will feature recording artists the Secret Sisters and special guest Mary Bragg on Sept. 25 at Dingeldine Music Center. Also, in coming months, Bradley will complete the Ken and Doris Kolb Pavilion on the green space behind Bradley Hall.
1. Given your parents’ achievements, were you interested in science?
Absolutely. But as far as following in my parents’ footsteps, the shadow was too profound. I needed to blaze my own trail.
Filmmaker Steven Spielberg in his new movie “Disclosure Day” implies math is a universal language; his 1970s movie “Close Encounters” used music in that way.
2. For you, which is the universal language?
Music, definitely. Remember, NASA launched the Voyager probes into interstellar space with a time capsule containing a recording of human music, from Chuck Berry to Beethoven.
3. What’s more important, curiosity or empathy?
Empathy stands out. Caring about each other is the foundation of society. Without empathy, diseases like AIDS would run rampant, wildfires would be worse and so on. Government would work better if there was more empathy — and it helps us all sleep better at night.
4. Back to music: Willie Nelson or Jelly Roll — or the variety of music?
I appreciate virtually all music. I was raised on variety. TV’s “Ed Sullivan Show” would have rock ‘n’ roll, then Judy Garland or Robert Goulet, then some guy spinning plates on a stick, then [the puppet] Topo Gigio. A radio would play Sinatra and Dean [Martin], the Beatles and Judy Collins, the Statler Brothers and the Temptations …
5. What’s your least favorite household chore?
We have a dog and four granddogs and (I collect) all their poop.