Fort Wayne is home to a lot of talented people. Some make a name for themselves either locally or, occasionally, beyond the city limits. Some remain obscure forever, never really sharing their talents with anyone. Many fall somewhere in between – known to those closest to them and even beyond, but never really "hitting it big."

       An example of the latter is Jon McCoy, a singer and guitarist who performed all over the country, hitting many of the little clubs that fill our cities. Although a jazz guitarist of note and a respected singer, McCoy never found fame or fortune as a musician, but the people he entertained in Allen County in recent years were devoted, making his performances a regular part of their week.

       Now, less than two months after his unexpected death at 64, his family and friends are planning a tribute to the man they loved and whom audiences admired. Led by his musical partner, Paul Stewart – who is also well-known as part of the Chris and Paul partnership – an evening of entertainment is planned for August 22, a night that will feature Stewart and McCoyÕs own son, a talented singer in his own right. Fittingly, the celebration of McCoyÕs life and work will take place at HallÕs Guesthouse on Washington Center Road, the place where McCoy and Stewart had been regularly performing on Tuesday nights.

       To only know that McCoy and Stewart sometimes performed together is to only know part of the story. Their shared experiences began before theyÕd ever met, and those stories tell the history of an ever-changing music business, as well as conveying some of the history of Fort Wayne.

       ÒJon and I met at PiereÕs,Ó recalls Stewart. ÒI was working at Crooners, and Jon sang there one night. He and I found out weÕd started out at the same time and had played a lot of the same places, including the old Van Orman Hotel here in Fort Wayne – the old hotel that used to be down on Berry and Harrison.Ó

       Their common ground provided good fodder for an act, and the pair began performing regularly together at the PiereÕs complex as well as Legion 47, where they developed a rabid following. They also discovered a valued friendship.

       ÒJon was a tough Irishman,Ó laughs Stewart. ÒBut he was just a lovable guy.Ó

       McCoyÕs own road to Fort Wayne began in Springfield, Illinois in 1943, with music becoming an important factor in his life early on. McCoyÕs son, J.J., who will be among those performing at the August 22 tribute, recently discovered something that told part of that story in his late fatherÕs own words.

       ÒI found a life story that he was working on,Ó says J.J. ÒI donÕt know if he knew his time was short or if he just wanted to put it all down, but it tells a lot about his life.Ó

       Part of that autobiography shares how he came to start playing the guitar.

       ÒItÕs 1957, and I was that weird age of 14,Ó he wrote. ÒQuiet, sullen times until Dad bought me a hollow-body Harmony guitar. Pretty thing – blonde body and all. I started picking away at it, wishing I knew some chords. I asked Dad if I could take lessons. He had reservations because I took accordion lessons and dropped out when I was 11. HeÕs was a soft touch, though. I began taking lessons at McNeil studios in downtown Springfield. By this time I was 15 and had my driverÕs permit. I was proceeding so well that he bought me an electric guitar. It was a Silvertone. Only Sears sold this model. It was brown and had the basic capabilities (volume control and a tone knob for treble to bass). A little amp came with it. When I took lessons, I took the Harmony. It was easier to transport back and forth.

       ÒA whole new world was opening to me. People wanted me to play whenever there was a get-together. Relatives thought their Jonnie Joe was a virtuoso. Friends always asked me to bring along my guitar. At first, I used to hang it over my bed over the headboard Ôtil one night the strap broke and fell on my head. I guess you might say I had music pounded in my head.Ó

       Although it was that guitar-playing that first drew attention, McCoy focused on singing later in his life, and it was his voice, Stewart says that impressed everyone who heard him.

       ÒI never heard Jon sing a song out of key,Ó says Stewart.

       Although Stewart plays a variety of musical styles and genres, when he and McCoy played they stuck to a particular type of music.

       ÒJon sang a lot of Sinatra and Dean Martin, a lot of that Rat Pack stuff, and the audiences at the Legion really loved it. I play the keyboards and play a lot of different stuff with Chris, everything from big band to hip hop. Jon stayed in one era – but he did that era very well.Ó

       The McCoy tribute pays homage not only to his own life and career, but to the combined 98 years of entertainment experience that he and Stewart shared each time they took the stage together. The inclusion of McCoyÕs son is particularly significant to Stewart since heÕd seen McCoy's sons grow up and had observed the relationship they had with their father.

       ÒJon had four sons, and I saw so much love between them and their dad. I remember when J.J. was in college, and sometimes heÕd come out to PiereÕs and heÕd just sing his fanny off all night long. Those boys can all sing, just like their dad.Ó

       With the help of Stan Liddell of PiereÕs, who has long provided a musical home for Stewart and who provided an early stage for his work with McCoy, Stewart is pleased to be able to provide a fitting memorial for his departed friend and musical partner.

       ÒI just wanted to do something for the family,Ó he says. ÒItÕs just going to be a night to remember Jon. WeÕll start at 9 p.m. and go to whenever, and a lot of friends will come in. He was just a talented guy who didnÕt get much exposure, but he did have quite a following.Ó

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