The Downtown Jamestown Development Corporation (DJDC) together with local organizations announces the 2010 Jamestown Savings Bank Riverwalk Concert Series schedule.  Continuing on its success in 2009, the series will run the first Thursday in June, July, and August.  Each concert will be held at the Riverwalk in Brooklyn Square, adjacent to the JAMA Riverwalk Center, from 7pm-9pm.

“We teamed up with the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation (JRC) in 2009 to kick-off this series and to market the riverfront as an attractive destination within the city,” said Tiffani Conti, DJDC Special Projects Manager. “The river front is an integral part of Jamestown and the series will continue to help re-shape residents and visitors views of the riverfront.”  

Jamestown Savings Bank – A Division of Northwest Savings Bank is the 2010 corporate sponsor of this year’s concert series. Jamestown Savings Bank is a Gold Member of DJDC and a continued supporter of DJDC and its mission.

Westfield native and Chautauqua Lake Idol winner, Shawn Wilder, will be opening the series on Thursday, June 3, 2010.  In the past year, Wilder shared the stage with such artists as Kenny Rogers, Sean Patrick McGraw, Stella Parton and Hall of Fame Songwriter, Jerry Foster. Shawn’s first album, Wilder and Peck, was produced by M. B. Gordy and recorded by Johnny Lee Schell. Gordy, world renowned percussionist and former drummer of the Doobie Brothers. Schell, professional guitarist, vocalist, engineer, composer, and producer who contributed to 8 Grammy Award winning albums and worked with such artists as B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal, and Buddy Guy.

Wilder tapped the creative talents of some other like-minded musicians for the release of his first full length album, The Beginning, January 2, 2010. Anthony Brown, owner of Graphite Sound based in Warren, PA recorded and produced the album. Shawn considers Brown to be one of northwestern Pennsylvania’s best kept secrets. Brown’s extensive resume includes having four songs listed on AC Billboard charts, producing music for the Hallmark channel, the comedy sitcom My Name Is Earl, two feature films, Red Eye and The Breed, as well as recorded and mixed the 25th Anniversary Album for 10,000 Maniacs. Brown also contributed to Shawn’s album with keyboards, guitars, and backing vocals. Rich Alcorn, nephew of Gene Johnson of Diamond Rio, guitarist/songwriter of Gotham Rose performed guitars, bass and backup vocals on Shawn’s most recent album. Alcorn has shared the stage with such artists as Patti Loveless, Trace Adkins, Toby Keith, Diamond Rio, George Jones, and Neal McCoy. Contributing fiddle on The Beginning is 2008 U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion Lydia Byard of Mayville, NY. Rad Akers, drummer of national touring band, Big Leg Emma, contributed studio drum tracks. The synergy of all the artists involved with The Beginning provides tremendous dimension to Shawn’s album.

United Refining Company, through its Kwik Fill / Red Apple Convenience store chain, has appointed Shawn Wilder as their Featured Artist for 2010 Kwik Fill Driving America Tour and Sweepstakes. Shawn will be given considerable exposure through television and radio commercials as well as promotions throughout 296 of United Refining Company’s Kwik Fill Stores located throughout Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania. Wilder will is scheduled to perform such events as; Taste of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY; Taste of Syracuse, Syracuse, NY; Rochester Lilac Festival, Rochester, NY; Lake Erie Speedway, Erie, PA; Holland International Speedway, Holland, NY, Watkins Glen International Speedway and many more.  [Bio information from http://www.myspace.com/swwilder]

“This series will have a positive impact on the community by inviting a variety of new and returning visitors to the riverwalk every month,” added Conti. “We have many partners this year to help continue this amazing series and to continue developing the waterfront.”

Additional concerts include Richie Leeper & Soul Revival on Thursday, July 1, 2010 and King Rail on Thursday, August 5, 2010.

The Jamestown Savings Bank Riverwalk Concert Series is supported in part by Jamestown Savings Bank – A Division of Northwest Savings Bank, Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, DJDC, Jamestown Renaissance Corporation, Heritage Ministries, Community Bank, N.A., B&S Management, County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency, Jamestown Area Medical Associates (JAMA), and The Post Journal.