Today marks exactly 15 years since the passing of my first and most influential music mentor.

On Oct. 13, 2001, Jeremy Wright Kinnear died in the early morning hours of his 21st birthday as the result of a hit-and-run accident in Fredonia.

But despite his short time with us, the 1999 Southwestern High School graduate had already impacted the greater Jamestown area music scene in a deep and profound way as the drummer for Atica. The band – which also included local musicians Ryan Melquist, Ryan Ecklund, Colin Shaffer and Matt Clark – began when its members were still in high school and had quickly developed a strong following; performing in a number of reputable venues both in and outside of the area, including the Great Blue Heron Music Festival. And while Jeremy had made me aware of his involvement with Atica, it was in an entirely different capacity that I got to know him.

In 1999, fresh out of high school, Jeremy signed on to be the percussion instructor for Falconer Central School’s marching band. That was also the first of my seven years of involvement with the program, and I was lucky enough to have shared three of them with Jeremy.

From for two years I studied under Jeremy, who wrote and transcribed his original percussion parts for each of his three seasons with the marching band’s, and it was during that time that I learned how to become a confident drummer in varying degrees – from a full kit to the keyboard instruments of xylophone, marimba and bells. I also had the opportunity to perform alongside him in the pit orchestra for Falconer’s 2000 musical production of “The Wizard of Oz.”

For an introverted 14-year-old who wasn’t known for being the most empathic individual, I was as devastated as I could be when the entire band was informed of his death following one of our weekly marching band competitions – for which Jeremy had been conspicuously absent and no details had been given. The remainder of our 2001 season was dedicated to Jeremy and, fittingly enough, the band would go on to place first in our Small School 3 division of the New York State Field Band Conference state championship later that month.

I could go on and on about how my knowing Jeremy helped mold me into a better musician, and how I had Atica’s album “Without a Doubt” on nearly constant repeat in my CD player for years on end, but suffice to say that my passion for and knowledge of the local music scene would look vastly different today were it not for him.

Fortunately, I did have one opportunity to see Jeremy play with Atica; and though I remember little about the band’s performance itself, I’m proud to say that, more than a decade later, I would have the opportunity to perform alongside two former Atica members that I so looked up to in my earliest years as an aspiring musician.

Jeremy Kinnear was an intelligent, highly proficient and kind-hearted young man who touched many more lives than I could even remotely guess at. I am but one of those people, but there is no doubt that my brief time in knowing him was among the most crucial to my development into a working, passionate musician.

Rest easy, Jeremy. We’ll never be the same again.

And now, here’s some of what you can expect to find in the area this week.

HIGHLIGHTS

‘Back Room Radio Hour’ To Feature Probables, Derek Davis Duo Today: The 20th overall episode of Trinity Guitars’ “Back Room Radio Hour” program will feature The Probables and the Derek Davis Duo in an on-site live taping today beginning at 7 p.m. This month’s featured service organization is Charity Miles, a mobile application which provides an opportunity for the user to donate to a charity while doing your favorite activity. Run, walk, bike, shovel snow, walk your dog while logging distance and maching funds from your favorite service organization. The episode will be broadcast on WRFA-LP 107.9 FM the following Monday, Oct. 17, at 7 p.m. There is no cost to attend, but seats must be reserved in advance by calling 665-4490 or emailing trinityguitarsbill@gmail.com.

Trinity Guitars is located at 800 W. Third St. in Jamestown. For more information, find the event on Facebook.

Prendergast Library To Hold Local Art Auction Saturday: The James Prendergast Library Association will hold a local art auction fundraiser Saturday from 6:30-9 p.m. The work has been donated by local artists or by families and collectors on their behalf, and approximately 30 participating artists will have one piece or more for sale. Davis and Eng will provide music starting at 6:30 p.m. Guests can enjoy hors d’oeuvres, sweets, beer and wine while browsing items for sale. Lee Davies will start the bidding at 7:30 p.m. Some pieces will be sold ahead of time and are pictured with descriptions on the library website. These pieces are also being promoted on Facebook.

The James Prendergast Library Association is located at 509 Cherry Street in Jamestown. Tickets are available at $30 at the library or online at prendergastlibrary.org.

Little Theatre’s Production Of ‘Jekyll And Hyde’ Continues This Weekend: The Lucille Ball Little Theatre will conclude its two-week production of the Broadway musical “Jekyll and Hyde” this weekend, beginning with the opening night performance on Friday at 7:30 p.m. The production will also be staged Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person, and can be purchased by calling the theater box office at 483-1095 or by visiting lucilleballlittletheatre.org. Season tickets are also currently on sale for the five production to be staged during the 2016-17 season, and those who may be interested in becoming first-time season ticket holders will also receive a free ticket to “Jekyll and Hyde” with the purchase of season tickets.

Falconer Farmers Market To Host Kim Rambacher In Saturday Booksigning: The Falconer Farmers Market at Davis Park, located on corner of West Main and Holmstead streets, will host Bemus Point author Kim Rambacher in a Saturday booksigning from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rambacher will be signing copies of his book, “Miracle Marcia,” which was written in honor of his late wife, Marcia, who passed away following at 17-year battle with breast cancer. The book, priced at $15 for paperback and $22 for a hardcover, can be purchased via “Miracle Marcia” on Facebook, eBook, Xulonpress.com, Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Petals and Twigs in Bemus Point, Off the Beaten Path and Falconer Pharmacy.

Larry The Cable Guy To Perform Two Saturday Shows In Salamanca: Larry the Cable Guy – multi-platinum recording artist, Billboard Award-winner and one of the most recognizable comedians in the country – will perform two Saturday evening shows at the Seneca Allegany Events Center at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Larry has released seven comedy albums, of which three have been certified gold by the RIAA for shipments of 500,000 copies. In addition, he has starred in three Blue Collar Comedy Tour-related films, as well as in “Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector,” “Delta Farce” and “Witless Protection.” He has also published book bearing the title of his catchphrase, “Git-R-Done!”

The Seneca Allegany Events Center is located at 777 Seneca Allegany Blvd. in Salamanca. Tickets start at $30 and can be purchased by calling 1-877-873-6322 or online at senecaalleganycasino.com/events/.

HAPPENINGS

To include an upcoming show or event in this column, email gpaterniti@post-journal.com or call 487-1111, ext. 243 by Monday.

Tonight

Greatest Hits: 6 p.m., Celoron Legion, 26 Jackson Ave. in Jamestown

Jules-R-Us Karaoke: 8 p.m., Good Time Saloon, 590 Fairmount Ave. in Jamestown

Karaoke with DJ Xcite: 9 p.m., Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Lara Hope and the Ark-Tones with Matt Boland: 10 p.m., Mojo’s Music Bar, 104 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Karaoke with Felony Entertainment: 10 p.m., Forte, 114 E. Third St. in Jamestown

Friday

Adam Gould: 6 p.m., The Wine Cellar, 309 N. Main St. in Jamestown

Rustic Ramblers: 7 p.m., Lakewood Legion, 174 Chautauqua Ave. in Lakewood

Brian Chase: 9 p.m., Yesterday’s, 103 Chautauqua Ave. in Lakewood

The Freeze: 9 p.m., Good Time Saloon, 590 Fairmount Ave. in Jamestown

Karaoke with Felony Entertainment: 9 p.m., Shawbucks, 212 W. Second St. in Jamestown

Widow Maker: 10 p.m., Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Governess with Mala Sangre and Coffin Bangers: 10 p.m., Mojos’ Music Bar, 104 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Saturday

Rhema Poetry open mic: 4 p.m., RydersCup Coffee, 28 Chautauqua Ave. in Lakewood

Ralph Chamberlain Jr.: 8:30 p.m., Celoron Legion, 26 Jackson Ave. in Jamestown

Jules-R-Us Karaoke featuring Tami T: 9 p.m., Good Time Saloon, 590 Fairmount Ave. in Jamestown

Refuge: 10 p.m., Shawbucks, 212 W. Second St. in Jamestown

Dead Calm: 10 p.m., Mojo’s Music Bar, 104 E. Second St. in Jamestown

The Freeze: 10 p.m., Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Sunday

Open Jam: 9 p.m., Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Monday

Open Jam: 9 p.m., Mojo’s Music Bar, 104 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Tuesday

“Night of the Living Dead” screening: 7 p.m., Chapel Theater, 316 E. Fourth St. in Jamestown

Wednesday

“The Silence of the Lambs” screening: 7 p.m., Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, 116 E. Third St. in Jamestown