CONTACT: Paul L. Duffy, Recreation Director, Town of Westerly, 401-348-2597
DATE: June 29, 2005
Town of Westerly Welcomes Washington Trust as Co-Sponsor of Blues on the Beach '05
Westerly, Rhode Island... The Town of Westerly Recreation Department has joined forces with The Washington Trust Company to bring another season of Blues on the Beach to the town beach in Misquamicut. This year's concert series will be the fourth year that nationally and internationally acclaimed blues artists have come to town to celebrate Westerly's rich blues heritage. As part of their sponsorship, Washington Trust will give out beach balls to the first 100 people to arrive and raffle off an event chair at each of the six concerts.
"The Town of Westerly is happy to host Blues on the Beach again for the thousands of fans who look forward to seeing some of their favorite performers every summer," said Paul Duffy, director, Town of Westerly Recreation Department. "Having Washington Trust as a co-sponsor this year makes the event even more of a Westerly hometown experience."
The Blues on the Beach concerts have become a homecoming of sorts since many of the artists began sowing the seeds of their blues and swing music careers almost 30 years ago in Westerly. For fans of the artists, Blues on the Beach is one of the few opportunities they have to hear these bands play live in this area.
This year's concert series is packed with local legends and favorites:
- July 6: The season starts off with local legend Roomful of Blues
- July 13: The incomparable Greg Piccolo, one of the original Roomful members
- July 20: Dave Howard and the High Rollers featuring Westerly's own Bobby Christina on drums
- July 27: Visiting from Texas, Johnny Nicholas and the Texas All-Stars drop by
- August 3: Another Roomful alumnus and local favorite, Sugar Ray Norcia and his Big Band
- August 10: The final concert features Al Copley and his Prophet Motive
All concerts are held rain or shine. In the event of rain the concerts will be held at the Windjammer on Atlantic Avenue. All concerts begin at 6 p.m. and parking is free in the old town beach parking lot after 5 p.m. For up to date concert info please visit the official Blues on the Beach website at www.bluesonthebeachri.com.
The Washington Trust Company is the largest independent bank headquartered in Rhode Island. A state-chartered bank, Washington Trust offers a full range of financial services, including wealth management, through its 16 branch offices located in Rhode Island and southeastern Connecticut. Founded in 1800, the Bank is a subsidiary of Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc., whose common stock trades on The NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol WASH. Web site address: www.washtrust.com.
