I’ve had my 45 of the Depressions for nearly twenty-five years I suppose and always had a nagging feeling it was local despite nothing on the label to indicate such a connection. After more digging a few years ago I was able to establish their Frankfort roots and at long last I can shed at least some light on these guys. Cheer up – it’s The Depressions! Enjoy! [2025 Shawn Chambers / Lexingtunes]
Sandwiched between the two largest cities in the state, the 1960s musical legacy of Frankfort, KY, is easily overshadowed by that of Louisville and Lexington. But Franklin County can be justifiably proud as the area was alive with bands like the Weejuns, the Acrosonics, the Slightly Fabulous Shadows, and, of course, the Prestations. Throw in lone pickers, gospel singers, and church choirs and the small town had something for everyone.
It is here in 1964 that the Depressions were formed by a trio of Franklin County High School students: Kenneth Randal Smith (b. 1945), his younger brother Robert Smith II and William C Jacobs Jr (b. 1948). One of the students worked at the local Val-U-Mart, which was managed at the time by Barry Boiarsky and this connection was key. Boiarsky was a casual guitar player, and music surely was a popular topic of conversation between the young boss and his employee. Upon realizing he had a singer in the midst an informal audition was held, but little convincing would be needed to sway Boiarsky.
The trio’s vocal talents were already well known by those at FCHS. William Jacobs had taken first place in the Vocal Solo category just months prior at a school talent show. The chorus teacher was fond of Robert and would declare later that he had the “best bass voice of anyone his age she has ever heard” per a contemporary newspaper account. The family vocal line clearly was present in Kenneth as well. Boiarsky was sold and quickly arranged for a studio session and plans for a record.
The details of the December 30, 1964, session in Louisville are largely unknown, but it is easy to imagine it happened at the Allen/Martin studios and most likely employed studio musicians on both the vocal side as well as the instrumental flip. Robert handled the lead vocal with Kenneth and William backing on the A-side track “House of Silver,” which had lyrics penned by Boiarsky.
The music made a local impact immediately.
While the record was in the pressing phase at the RCA plant, the group was provided a tape and it was broadcast on local radio station WFKY. The high school allowed the song to be played during the study halls and the student body was a built-in and receptive audience.
The Depressions were one of the acts at a FCHS Hootenanny in February 1965. Featured alongside the Ebonettes and local legends the Prestations, the boys were given a four-song set and debuted “House of Silver” live for the first time. Later in the same month, the Depressions were asked back for the PTA Founders Day program where, again, “House of Silver” was well-received. These live sets would almost certainly have had just light instrumental accompaniment or were perhaps a capella given the lack of a true “band” for the trio.
The Depressions were never meant to be a touring group and came and went over a period of less than a year. Fortunately, the 45 keeps their music alive.
Kenneth graduated and ultimately ended up in the army and served in Vietnam before retiring after a long career at General Motors. He passed way in 2012 in Ohio. His obituary mentions that “he was well known for his karaoke” so clearly these early days of music lasted a lifetime.
At the time of this writing, Robert Smith’s days beyond the Depressions are unknown. He seems to have died between 2008 and 2012.
William C Jacobs remained in Frankfort and clearly had musical influence on his son Sheldon Jacobs who is a local producer in the area. WC unfortunately passed away in March 2025.
Discography:
BARRY RECORDS 0721 / 0722 House of Silver / No Big Thing 1965