Years after Carson City, David Osborn is still strumming

CAIRO―For David Osborn, the story of a life in music and entertainment begins not on a grand stage, but in the dusty streets of a long-gone Wild West town tucked into the Catskills. And it continues today in a quiet musical outpost along Route 23.

Carson City, a beloved western-themed amusement park in Catskill, was more than a summer job for Osborn—it was home, a proving ground, and ultimately, a legacy he would carry forward for decades.

Osborn first arrived at Carson City in the summer of 1957 as a high school student, working each summer through his sophomore, junior, and senior years. The park was owned by Arthur Gillette, a man Osborn describes as a mentor and “like a second father.”

“Arthur taught me a lot,” Osborn recalled. “I was blessed to have him.”

Gillette saw something in the young musician early on, trusting him not only with responsibilities at Carson City but occasionally sending him to oversee operations at another of his ventures, Adventureland in Newburyport, MA. It was a rare vote of confidence that helped shape Osborn’s future.

At Carson City, Osborn became a fixture. Armed with his guitar, he performed three shows a day, weaving music into the fabric of the park’s staged gunfights and live-action storytelling. Visitors could find him bringing life to venues like the Crystal Pistol and the Gambler’s Paradise or even stepping into character himself as the town’s mayor.

“It was a very cool place to grow up,” Osborn said. “The band and I would play three shows a day. There was always something happening.”

Music ran deep in the Osborn family. His father, a music teacher and choir conductor for 42 years, kept a demanding schedule, but still encouraged his son’s development. When the elder Osborn needed extra musicians for school performances, David was often called upon to fill in—sometimes on instruments he barely knew.

“That meant learning fast,” Osborn said with a laugh. “Trombone, saxophone — whatever was needed.”

When Gillette passed the torch, Osborn purchased Carson City from him in 1979 and operated the park for 19 seasons over a 20-year span. At the time, he was already managing several hotel properties in the Lake George region, including the George Washington Motor Lodge.

Taking on Carson City gave him another, more personal reason to stay rooted in the Catskills—close to two of his daughters living in nearby Hudson.

In many ways, Carson City became a family affair. Osborn’s three daughters grew up in the park, working in the gift shop or performing as can-can dancers in the saloon.

Even today, former employees regularly reach out to Osborn with fond memories.

“They tell me they loved working there,” he said. “There was nothing like it—not before, not since.”

Today, Osborn’s musical legacy lives on through his longtime business, Osborn Music Center. Located at 4422 State Route 23 in Cairo, a regional hub for musicians of all levels for many years.

Visitors are greeted by an unexpected sight—statues of the Blues Brothers, acquired from Erie, Pennsylvania, standing as a tribute to the enduring spirit of American music that has shaped his life.

Inside, the shop reflects Osborn’s lifelong passion: walls lined with guitars, stringed instruments, and musical accessories, along with the kind of personal knowledge that only comes from a lifetime in music.

That passion extends far beyond retail. Osborn is an avid collector, owning more than 600 guitars, some dating back to 1818. His personal guitar museum features around 80 carefully curated instruments, each representing a piece of musical history.

His musical tastes reflect the roots of his career—southern rock, country, and the sounds of early rock and roll icons like Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash.

Over the years, Osborn also formed friendships within the broader music world, including a connection with Steve Cropper, the legendary Stax Records guitarist and member of Booker T. & the M.G.’s.

Osborn himself spent 17 years performing with the Friar Tuck Band, building a reputation as a versatile and dedicated musician.

These days, he still occasionally takes the stage at local venues such as Five Furlongs in East Durham.

At his studio in Acra, Osborn continues to pass along his knowledge, teaching aspiring musicians the guitar, harmonica, bass, ukulele, mandolin, and four-string banjo.

“I’m very proud of my students,” he said.

Osborn’s journey reflects a unique story that echoes far beyond the Catskills. It is one of mentorship, music, and a bygone place that still lives on in his memory and that of countless others.

For those who were there, Carson City was more than a theme park―it was a stage. And David Osborn has never stopped playing his part.