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Born and raised in [[New York]]; he began his music career shortly after his graduating from [[New York University]], where he found work with the [[vaudeville]] team of [[Olsen and Johnson]] on their legendary revue, ''[[Hellzapoppin]]''. His early career included arranging and playing [[saxophone]] with such bands as [[Henry Busse]], [[Dick Stabile]], and [[Russ Morgan]] between [[1945]] and [[1951]]. In the mid-[[1950s]], he was [[A&R]] director for [[Coral Records]], writing and conducting for the label's stars that included the [[Andrews Sisters]], [[Teresa Brewer]], [[Bing Crosby]], and [[Danny Kaye]]. During this time, he hit the [[Top 40]] charts with his release of the ''[[Moonglow (song)|Moonglow]]'' which was also known as the theme from ''[[Picnic (film)|Picnic]]''. This record had some wordless vocal effects by [[Norma Zimmer]], [[Lawrence Welk]]'s Champagne Lady.
Starting in [[1951]], he served as Lawrence Welk's musical director. In that role, he conducted the orchestra in the rehearsals and spent many years behind the scenes as an arranger. After leaving the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] television network in [[1971]], Welk [[Television syndication|syndicated]] his show and continued on TV using the theme song ''[[Champagne Time]]'', which Cates had composed. A prolific writer, Cates's songs were sung by many of show's "Musical Family". In [[1973]], the Maestro asked him to conduct the orchestra on camera, a role he carried until the show ended in [[1982]]. In addition to his work with Welk, Cates wrote and arranged a number of albums with other leading band leaders of the era. One of his albums ''[[Polynesian Percussion]]'' featured some fine instrumental work by his brother-in-law guitarist [[Alvino Rey]], and [[Buddy Cole]] playing a [[console guitar]], and [[Novachord]], as well as another fifteen-plus odd [[percussion]] instruments producing some unique sounds.
He died [[May 12]], [[2002]] at his home in [[Santa Monica]], [[California]] aged 90.
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