In this live episode of the Kaatscast podcast, recorded at the Emerson Resort & Spa on November 8, 2024 and hosted by Brett Barry engages in a detailed discussion with Elinor Levy, Folk Arts Program Manager at Arts Mid-Hudson, about the life and legacy of Clayton “Peg Leg” Bates (1907-1998).
The show explores Bates’ inspiring journey from losing a leg in a cotton gin accident at the age of 12 to becoming one of the most celebrated tap dancers, performing on Broadway and appearing on “The Ed Sullivan Show” at least 21 times.
He owned and operated an interracial resort in the Catskills, Peg Leg Bates Country Club, in Kerhonkson from 1951 to 1987, along with his wife Alice E. Bates.
Bates was a beloved member of his community, both in Ulster County and his childhood home of Fountain Inn, South Carolina. He loved entertaining and often used his talents to raise funds for the less fortunate.
Elinor Levy shares insights from her research, Bates’ entrepreneurial venture and his impact on the Black community.
The episode includes personal anecdotes, clips from a documentary about Bates, and audience Q & A, enriching the narrative of Bates’ remarkable resilience and contribution to the arts.
Kaatscast is a biweekly series featuring Catskills culture, history, sustainability, local interviews, literature, and the arts. Shows are hosted by Brett Barry and produced by Silver Hollow Audio, in the heart of the Catskills.
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