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All good things must end - at least for the season

| 05 Sep 2013 | 12:19
    Photo by Roger Gavan Dick Wells and Jim Perry give a sample performance of their Sept. 15 concert for those who helped establish and support the concerts at Railroad Green. From left, Mayor Michael Newhard, Leo Kaytes, Jim Perry, Dick Wells, Town of Warwick Supervisor Michael Sweeton and former Village Trustee Bill Iurato.
    Photo by Roger Gavan Dick Wells and Jim Perry give a sample performance of their Sept. 15 concert for those who helped establish and support the concerts at Railroad Green. From left, Mayor Michael Newhard, Leo Kaytes, Jim Perry, Dick Wells, Town of Warwick Supervisor Michael Sweeton and former Village Trustee Bill Iurato.

WARWICK — On Sunday, September 15 the final free summer concert series at Railroad Green will feature a performance by the Jim Perry Big Band and Dick Wells from 3 to 5 p.m.

All of the band arrangements are the work of retired Sgt. Major Jim Perry, former group leader and lead alto saxophonist with the United States Military Academy Band Jazz Knights at West Point.

Wells, who is well known locally as a radio personality on WTBQ (1110 AM/93.5 FM) is a longtime professional singer who has performed on Las Vegas stages with legendary entertainers like Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. In addition to singing with the famous Harry James orchestra, Wells sang with the Sammy Kaye orchestra and has also appeared on the Johnny Carson Tonight Show.

Many of the musicians with the Jim Perry Band are veteran performers who appeared with famous bandleaders and entertainers like Benny Goodman, Gene Krupa, Lionel Hampton, Bob Crosby and Paul Simon.

Visitors can relax on the grass at Railroad Green or enjoy refreshments and seating at one of the nearby outdoor restaurants. Bring chairs or blankets.

Eleven years ago all village concerts were held at Stanley-Deming Park.

Dick Wells was not on the 2002 schedule and the final concert had already been held. But at the suggestion of Leo Kaytes, chairman of Leo Kaytes Ford, and with his financial assistance along with that of other sponsors, Mayor Michael Newhard approved a request to hold another concert featuring Wells and the big band at the new Railroad Green.

Since that time former Village Trustee Bill Iurato, who had been charged with overseeing the development of Railroad Green, continues to organize the free concert series in the park that residents enjoy today.