By Cathy Miller

Who’s a professional appraiser, radio talk-show host, TV personality, author, speaker, consultant, musician, and a 26-year resident of Hope? Why, that must be Brian Kathenes!

A Letter Writer

Between the ages of 4 and 13, Brian was in and out of hospitals with a congenital foot defect requiring a series of operations. From his wheelchair, he began penning letters to celebrities. He wrote to U.S. presidents, supreme court justices, astronauts, and actors. Two of his favorite responses were from Roy Rogers and Jimmy Stewart, respectively. Both mailed young Brian a variety of items: Roy Rogers sent the words to “Happy Trails” all written out, and Jimmy Stewart sent an autograph and one of his neck ties. Brian also received letters from many of the “Star Trek” crew, including William Shatner (Captain James T. Kirk), DeForest Kelley (Dr. William “Bones” McCoy), and others.

A Musician

Upon recovery, he picked up music, playing drums in junior high and high school. Of his early experience with a band, he admits with a laugh, “we never went anywhere.”

Nowadays, Brian plays banjo primarily – ukulele, guitar, and drums occasionally. He purchased his very first banjo while employed as a chemical engineer at Estee Lauder in New York City. He and his friend, Doug, paid a visit to Sam Ash Music Store after Doug urged Brian with the compelling argument, “Let’s buy banjos, and we’ll get girls.” That early banjo-dalliance waned for a spell, but about five years ago Brian picked up the banjo once more and set out to learn the instrument. Peter Taney, of the Muskrat Ramblers, gave him banjo lessons, and sent him plucking. He’s one half of the always captivating Banjodoodles, which is his first “official” band, with Bob Portner, aka Mr. Doodle, on vocals and tambourine. Brian often performs with an ever-changing gaggle of friends, billing the shows as – wait for it – Brian Kathenes and Friends. His wife Nancy, an accomplished pianist, sometimes joins in on guitar and vocals.

When asked if he ever writes his own songs, Brian name-checked two – “The Hope Song” about his hometown, and “If It’s More Than Three Chords, I’ll Just Listen” (self-explanatory).

He composed and performed the banjo intro to “Racing at Monmouth” in the late 1980s on Storer Cable.

He really enjoys bluegrass and old cowboy songs (as opposed to country songs), but packs a broad repertoire of music in his big bag o’ tunes. When asked if he has a least favorite genre, Brian was very diplomatic in his reply, “I may not love it all, but I’ll listen to it all!” (while nonchalantly alluding to his son’s heavy metal band which practiced in his garage several years ago…)

He hosts the Hootenanny in Hope at St. John’s United Methodist Church about five times a year. It’s a two-hour, family-friendly open acoustic jam for anybody to join in and play, sing or just come and listen. Fall dates will be posted soon on social media.

Brian and Nancy were producers and founders of The Hope Community Players back in the late 90s. It no longer exists, but they have performed in some local shows with other production companies, including Fat Cat Productions. He’s happy to report that he and Nancy have met some of their best friends through their volunteer work.

A Volunteer

He volunteers with the Arc of Warren County, WNTI, and Big Brothers Big Sisters. He’s worked on fundraisers for Haven for Hope and Family Promise. He was a Scoutmaster for eight years. 

Brian has been recognized for his endeavors in many areas, including:

• Inducted into the 2016 Hackettstown Senior Hall of Fame. Established in 1997, the Senior Hall of Fame is sponsored by Hackettstown Medical Center and recognizes individuals age 60 and over who through their volunteer service have improved the quality of life for the residents of Hackettstown and environs.
• 2009 Business Person of the Year, awarded by the Warren County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Warren County Regional Chamber of Commerce.
• 2008 Good Scout Award, given by the NJ State Senate and NJ State General Assembly in a Joint Resolution for “meritorious record of service and commitment” to his community.
• Recipient of the 1992 and 2004 International Society of Appraisers Media Award for Outstanding Efforts in the Education of the General Public in Qualified Appraisal Practices and Ethical Standards.
• 1999 Hope Township Outstanding Citizen of the Year, awarded by the Mayor of Hope and the Hope Township Council.
• Additionally, he has garnered multiple accolades from the International Society of Appraisers, along with other honors and recognitions for his mastery in the field.

A Businessman (And an appraiser)

He is president and CEO of Progressive Business Concepts (www.pbcbiz.com), which is a full-service, training and consulting firm, specializing in organizational performance.

Brian met Leon Castner through an appraisal association, and became business partners for 30 years. They were expert witnesses in the Nixon Watergate Presidential Papers Case. They provided appraisal services for US Presidents, NASA astronauts and moon-walkers, sports stars, Hollywood celebrities, members of Congress, and Fortune 100 corporations. Brian is the Managing Partner of National Appraisal Consultants, LLC (www.nacvalue.com), a firm specializing in personal property appraisal consulting, appraisal theory, and appraisal-related court cases. He is an expert on the Declaration of Independence. He has appraised the Batmobile, the Back to the Future car, and memorabilia from the blockbuster movie “Titanic,” including the giant ship model. He has appraised items that have been on the Moon, and even appraised (and played) Elvis’ guitar. Brian holds the first and only Specialist Certification (S-CAPP) in the Autographs, Manuscripts, and Historical Documents.

A Radio Host

Brian and Leon hosted “Trash or Treasure,” an antiques appraisal radio show on WRNJ 20 years ago. They joined the on-air line-up on WNTI terrestrial radio 15 years ago, as hosts of “Value This! with Brian and Leon.” A few years back, “Value This” found a new home at WNTI.org, when WNTI went digital. The show is now nationally syndicated on 29 stations with 200,000 listeners each week. For the uninitiated, hosts Brian Kathenes and Leon Castner entertain with their lively banter and comprehensive knowledge of just about anything – from furniture to autographs, coins to comic books, medals to stamps, sports to movie memorabilia, manuscripts to historic documents, and everything in between. During the program, they also take listeners’ calls and share antiques tips. There is also a “Value This” podcast.

A Brian of All Trades

What a trip –  from a small engine/lawn and garden parts service distributor, to a chemical engineer, to new product launches for Estee Lauder and Max Factor, landing onstage, picking and singing with his jangly banjo, and his music-loving mates. Yes indeed, it sure is Brian Kathenes!