Following his service in the U.S. Army Air Force where Jake was a member of the U.S. Army Air Force Band the trained musician traveled the country during the big band area playing with the likes of Gene Krupa, Harry James and Lionel Hampton just to name a few. After six years of touring Jake thought it was time to settle down with his wife and son in Opelousas. In 1952 he opened his shop on North Main Street where it remains today although a brick facility was built in the 70’s.
There was two other music stores in Opelousas at the time but Jake, with his knowledge of music, was able to be successful. His son Carl said his dad had only the best name of instruments like Fender guitars and other top main brands. He was also able to corner the market on the local swamp pop musicians that played the Opelousas club scene. Jake even started his own group with local musicians but stayed close to home playing the local clubs Like Toby’s, Southern Club and The Cedar Lane Club to name a few.
Growing up during that time I lived almost directly across the street from Jake’s. On Saturday afternoon on their way to a night gig it was normal to see some of the great swamp pop musicians stop at his store to pick up extra guitar strings and other musical accessories. Some of the better known groups were Little Bob and the Lollipops, Good Rocking Bob, the Twisters featuring Rod Bernard and many others.
Following Jake’s death his son Carl took over the business and still runs it today. He is also an accomplished musician and and will occasionally get out Jake’s trumpet and play a few tunes. He is also proficient on the guitar and gives music lessons in a special room he set up in the back of the shop. Carl also mentioned to me that Jake also made several records on the Ace label. “Dad also played trumpet on some of Rod Bernard’s hits,” Carl said. After 70 years the business is still catering to the music public and as Carl would say, “This is a family business and I am here for the duration.”
