Bill Perry Day: Free blues festival this Sunday

CHESTER — A day of music to celebrate the life and times of the late blues guitarist Bill Perry will be held from noon to 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 25, at the Bertoni Gallery Sculpture Garden, located at 1392 Kings Highway in Sugar Loaf. The schedule is as follows: Noon — Kick-off by Barry Adelman of Music for Humanity 12:30-2:30 p.m. — The Dan Brother Band (blues and rock) 2:45-3:15 p.m. — Budweiser Bob and Outside Don (blues and rock) 3:30-5:45 p.m. — The Reddan Brother Band 6 p.m. Presentation of the Music for Humanity Bill Perry Scholarship award There is no admission charge. The $1,000 scholarship goes to a graduating senior at the Chester Academy who shows great promise in music and aspires to continue his or her education and passion for music. This year the scholarship was awarded to Quinn Marshall. Bill Perry Day is a tribute to one of Chester’s most beloved native sons, a guitarist, songwriter and singer who toured throughout the U.S. and Europe. In the 1980s, he was the main guitarist for Richie Havens and also toured with Garth Hudson and Levon Helm. In 1995, he was signed for an unprecedented five-album deal with the Pointblank/Virgin label. The Bill Perry Blues Band consisted of Bill Perry (lead vocals, lead guitar), John Reddan (guitar and vocals), Tim Tindall (bass guitar), and Rob Curtis (drums). The band released a total of seven albums between 1995 and 2006. Perry died in Sugar Loaf on July 17, 2007, at the age of 49. He is survived by a son, Aaron, and a large family. Sunday's event is the third Bill Perry Day, which is held every year on the last Sunday of July. For more information about Bill Perry Day, call 469-0993 or visit www.bertonigallery.com.