Carl “Bud” Wychulis had a gift for entertaining people, and used it to help his friends and neighbors.

“He was a really good musician, but more importantly he was very kind, the definition of a good person,” said Ivan Munoz, a musician who grew up in Tamaqua and was mentored by Wychulis.

Wychulis, who died over the weekend after battling leukemia, sang and played in bands around Carbon and Schuylkill counties for 50 years.

He played in bands like the Mudflaps, Remember When, and the Bud and George Duo, and was a familiar face on annual American Cancer Society Telethons.

Wychulis impacted those who were on stage with him, or in the audience dancing along.

Julie McDonald, whose late father George McDonald was the other half of “The Bud and George Duo,” recalled how he could make you smile with a story, song or a magic trick.

She called him the quintessential entertainer, who enjoyed making people happy.

“He loved performing - not for accolades for himself, he enjoyed bringing together and socializing,” McDonald said.

His longtime bandmate Sam Alonge, of the Mudflaps, said that he had a connection with people which served him well as a performer.

But he also recalled Wychulis’ drive and dedication. For several years, they drove around the state and beyond for Mudflaps shows, sometimes two-three nights a week. Wychulis also toured with Bill Haley’s Comets, spending long periods of time on the road.

“Music is what drives you, and that has to be in your blood,” Alonge said.

Wychulis was destined to be in a band. Coming from a family of musicians, he started accordion lessons as a child. His brother Chet recalled that at the time, he was too small to carry his instrument to lessons.

Growing up in the early ’60s, they were naturally drawn to rock music.

“When we saw The Beatles on Ed Sullivan, that kind of lit the fuse for us and a lot of people,” Chet said.

Bud focused on keyboards and they played together in a band called Sarboc (Cobras spelled backward) who recorded a record in 1972 called “Shadow of My Girl.”

“The times that we were in bands together were pretty amazing,” Chet said.

He used his talent to help the community. For 40 years, Wychulis was a host on the American Cancer Society Telethon.

Eddie Collins, a Pottsville-based musician, recalled playing with his band at the Cancer Telethon and having the opportunity to see behind the scenes as Wychulis juggled co-hosting, performing, and helping other bands.

“He was doing anything he could to help raising funds for the cancer society.”

Wychulis organized the telethon’s house band. His brother Chet fondly recalled playing in the house band with his children - Bud’s niece and nephew - and reliving some of their early days as musicians.

Part of Wychulis’ love for his community was a desire to celebrate its music scene.

Many musicians from the area looked up to Wychulis, and he was always willing to share any guidance he could.

Dave Freeman met him under less than ideal circumstances - replacing Wychulis in a band when Freeman was a teenager. He said Wychulis handled the situation with class, and they developed a long friendship. Over the years he’s witnessed a “six degrees” of Bud Wychulis when meeting musicians - including meeting the son of Bud’s longtime collaborator George McDonald in Florida.

“We would have never known each other without having Bud as this connection from the past,” Freeman said.

TJ Chinaski used to tag along to rehearsals when his mother sang backup vocals in Wychulis’ band Remember When. Wychulis inspired him, and gave him tips on how to book shows and make it in the business.

“He showed you can do it if you really want to. He’s quite the inspiration,” Chinaski said.

Ivan Munoz and his brother Damian, who perform as “The Munoz Brothers,” First met Wychulis at the Cancer Telethon. He recorded their music and offered them tips on creating a memorable sound. Munoz said Wychulis gave him the confidence to pursue a career in music, but also taught him lasting lessons about family and humility.

“The amount of knowledge he imparted on us musically and just as a mentor figure, is just invaluable,” Munoz said.