Bringing World War II-era music to life: Greenwich man portrays Glenn Miller

 SARATOGA SPRINGS — Gary Ferris plays the role because he looks the part.
For the past several years, the Greenwich resident has portrayed legendary World War II-era band leader Glenn Miller complete with the kind of officer’s uniform Miller wore during his weekly radio broadcasts that entertained troops and raised money for the war effort.
To Ferris, it’s a way to honor and remember those who came to America’s defense — including his late father — during one of the country’s darkest hours.

"They’re all so humble about what they did," he said. "They’re all heroes."

 Ferris has put on more than 120 shows in five states during the past three years, including one this week for Saratoga Springs Rotary Club. It’s a demanding schedule for someone who’s already quite busy. Ferris is executive director of the Adirondack-Saratoga Chapter American Red Cross, a specialist in the New York Guard and volunteer bugler with the New York State Military Forces Honor Guard.

"I originally intended to do this solely for veterans’ organizations such as The American Legion, VFW posts and VA medical centers," he said. "But I get invited frequently to retirement communities, public libraries and other venues. I’ve played at West Point and on a former World War II Army air base in Colorado."
 Today alone he’s making three Veterans Day appearances in Albany, Delmar and Glens Falls and is scheduled to perform for The American Legion’s national commander in February.  Next Wednesday, Nov. 16, he’ll be at Saratoga Springs Senior Center and Home of the Good Shepherd in Saratoga Springs.

"My policy is to do this totally free for veterans’ organizations and military units," Ferris said. "I do accept modest honoraria from retirement communities that have entertainment budgets. It’s truly a personal community service project."

 Miller left his highly successful band to join the service in late 1942 as a member of the Army Air Corps. Soon after, he formed a new group and his weekly radio show, called "I Sustain the Wings," was broadcast from New York City before his deployment to London.  Ferris has recreated this same type of show, which he calls "Until It’s Over Over There: The Road to Victory."

"I assume the role of a captain in the Army Air Forces Technical Training Command," he said. "I set the stage with a lighted "On Air" sign and use an AMP55 crooner microphone attached to a portable sound system."

"After a station identification and an opening theme with voice-over I read letters from soldiers and their sweethearts — some real, some fictitious — requesting various songs," he said. "I then sing the song using professional soundtracks that are loaded onto an iPod. In between the musical selections I read commercial spots from Coca-Cola, Bulova, Firestone, and Cadillac and also promote War Bonds."

Ferris has five different shows including one for Christmas. He’s taking part in Troy’s Victorian Stroll on Dec. 4 and on Dec. 7 — the 70th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor — he’ll be Prestwick Chase in Greenfield, Rensselaer County Senior Center in Troy and The Stanton in Glens Falls.
Musical selections include Miller favorites such as "Moonlight Serenade" and "Elmer’s Tune."
"I practice by singing in the shower," Ferris said, smiling.
Following is a schedule of upcoming performances.
• Nov. 11 — The Stanton in Glens Falls 6:30 p.m.
• Nov. 16 — Saratoga Springs Senior Center 1 p.m.; Home of the Good Shepherd, Saratoga Springs, 3:30 p.m.

• Dec. 4 — Victorian Stroll, Troy YWCA, 12:30 p.m.
• Dec. 7 — Rensselaer County Senior Center, Troy 10:45 a.m.; Prestwick Chase, Greenfield, 1:30 p.m.; The Stanton, Glens Falls, 6:30 p.m.
• Dec. 8 — Washington County Tea Party Patriots meeting, 7 p.m.
• Dec. 13 — Schenectady Police Department retirees, 7 p.m.
• Dec. 21 — Home of the Good Shepherd, Saratoga Springs, 3:30 p.m.
• Dec. 22 — Atria in Albany 2:30 p.m.; Parkland Gardens in Schenectady 7 p.m.
For information or to contact Ferris see the website: www.warstory. us or call (518)-466-5433.