photo by Denise JR Bass
| Amy Bedard, Dan Lilley, Mark Cutler, Becky Chace, John Amitrano, Leo Dumas, Pete Vendettuoli, and John Fuzek |
FOREVER YOUNG is:
- John Amitrano – acoustic & electric bass, vocals
- Amy Bedard – violin, acoustic guitar, vocals, keys
- Becky Chace –acoustic guitar, vocals, keys, tambourine
- Mark Cutler – electric & acoustic guitars, vocals, mandolin
- Leo Dumas – drums, percussion and vocals
- John Fuzek – 6 &12 string acoustic guitars, vocals, keyboard,
- Dan Lilley – electric & acoustic guitars, vocals, harmonica
- Pete Vendettuoli – electric & acoustic guitars, banjo, mandolin,
THE BAND:
The Forever Young band was originally conceived after Mark Cutler, John
Fuzek and Dan Lilley performed the Neil Young classic “Powderfinger” as a
group set closer for a RI Songwriters Association show at Stone Soup
Coffeehouse in Pawtucket, RI (March 2006) Forever Young is a group of
performers that pay tribute to the SONGS of Neil Young. No one in the band
tries to imitate Neil Young. In addition to Cutler, Fuzek and Lilley, Forever
Young original members also include Becky Chace and Pete Vendettuoli.
John Amitrano and Phil Hicks were added to the band in December of 2007 to
give the show a "Crazy Horse" kind of feel. Original drummer, Phil Hicks
passed away in Jan 2010. Leo Dumas was added to the line-up a few months
later. Amy Bedard joined the band in April 2011 to add vocals, violin, guitar
and keyboard. All of the musicians performing in Forever Young are staples of
the Rhode Island music scene and veterans of many national and regional
tours. In addition, they are all fans and have been influenced by the music of
Neil Young. Drawing on the 40+ year career of Neil Young; the show highlights
many of Young’s popular songs and a few of the more obscure numbers. The
show is presented with the full band doing both the ACOUSTIC and
ELECTRIC songs that Neil Young is famous for. The show is reminiscent of
the "Four Way Street" live album recorded by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
and of Neil Young with his many back-up bands.
The Forever Young band was originally conceived after Mark Cutler, John
Fuzek and Dan Lilley performed the Neil Young classic “Powderfinger” as a
group set closer for a RI Songwriters Association show at Stone Soup
Coffeehouse in Pawtucket, RI (March 2006) Forever Young is a group of
performers that pay tribute to the SONGS of Neil Young. No one in the band
tries to imitate Neil Young. In addition to Cutler, Fuzek and Lilley, Forever
Young original members also include Becky Chace and Pete Vendettuoli.
John Amitrano and Phil Hicks were added to the band in December of 2007 to
give the show a "Crazy Horse" kind of feel. Original drummer, Phil Hicks
passed away in Jan 2010. Leo Dumas was added to the line-up a few months
later. Amy Bedard joined the band in April 2011 to add vocals, violin, guitar
and keyboard. All of the musicians performing in Forever Young are staples of
the Rhode Island music scene and veterans of many national and regional
tours. In addition, they are all fans and have been influenced by the music of
Neil Young. Drawing on the 40+ year career of Neil Young; the show highlights
many of Young’s popular songs and a few of the more obscure numbers. The
show is presented with the full band doing both the ACOUSTIC and
ELECTRIC songs that Neil Young is famous for. The show is reminiscent of
the "Four Way Street" live album recorded by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
and of Neil Young with his many back-up bands.
photo by Denise JR Bass
John Amitrano – bass, lead and backing vocals
(West Greenwich, RI)
John has been playing venues in the Rhode Island area since 1983. From 1983-
1990 he was a member of Tyger Tyger, an original rock band based in Providence,
RI. The band had a recording deal with the independent label Tropical Records.
They recorded 23 songs over two years including a few of Amitrano’s originals
(Better Place, Garbage Boys and Up In Smoke) which received steady airplay on
local radio stations WBRU and WHJY. In 1990 he was a founding member of the
popular Rhode Island band the Flying Ditchdiggers. The Ditchdiggers recorded one
of his songs (Olney Ghosts) on their first album. From 1992 to 1994 John played a
bit with his brother lead guitarist and song writer Mark Cutler. They performed
occasionally as a duo and in a band called Buddy Holiday. In 1994 John got back
together with Dan Lilley formerly of Tyger Tyger and the Flying Ditchdiggers and
formed a new band called Lovetrain. This band evolved from an original band
featuring Dan Lilley and John Amitrano songs to a cover band featuring Neil Young,
Woody Guthrie and everything in between. In 2003 John took a year off from gigging
to spend time with his family and get back to fundamentals with his bass playing,
taking bass classes at a local school. After that hiatus at the urging of his wife he
returned to Lovetrain and gigging. In 2008 as Lovetrain began to slow down John
began performing with Forever Young and part time with the Becky Chace Band.
Tragically in 2010 Lovetrain and now Forever Young drummer Phil Hicks passed
away; Lovetrain dissolved. Today, John plays steadily performing on stage with;
Viking Jesus, Frank O' Rourke and Forever Young.
(West Greenwich, RI)
John has been playing venues in the Rhode Island area since 1983. From 1983-
1990 he was a member of Tyger Tyger, an original rock band based in Providence,
RI. The band had a recording deal with the independent label Tropical Records.
They recorded 23 songs over two years including a few of Amitrano’s originals
(Better Place, Garbage Boys and Up In Smoke) which received steady airplay on
local radio stations WBRU and WHJY. In 1990 he was a founding member of the
popular Rhode Island band the Flying Ditchdiggers. The Ditchdiggers recorded one
of his songs (Olney Ghosts) on their first album. From 1992 to 1994 John played a
bit with his brother lead guitarist and song writer Mark Cutler. They performed
occasionally as a duo and in a band called Buddy Holiday. In 1994 John got back
together with Dan Lilley formerly of Tyger Tyger and the Flying Ditchdiggers and
formed a new band called Lovetrain. This band evolved from an original band
featuring Dan Lilley and John Amitrano songs to a cover band featuring Neil Young,
Woody Guthrie and everything in between. In 2003 John took a year off from gigging
to spend time with his family and get back to fundamentals with his bass playing,
taking bass classes at a local school. After that hiatus at the urging of his wife he
returned to Lovetrain and gigging. In 2008 as Lovetrain began to slow down John
began performing with Forever Young and part time with the Becky Chace Band.
Tragically in 2010 Lovetrain and now Forever Young drummer Phil Hicks passed
away; Lovetrain dissolved. Today, John plays steadily performing on stage with;
Viking Jesus, Frank O' Rourke and Forever Young.
| THE MEMBERS |
Amy Bedard – violin, vocals, guitar, keys
(Greenville, RI)
Amy Bedard is a classically trained, violinist but picked up the electric violin about 15
years ago. She received her B.S. degree in Music Education at Rhode Island
College where she played violin and also sang in the chorus and chamber singers.
Amy has been playing in the RIC Symphony orchestra for the past 25 years. Bedard
has also been teaching music and strings classes in the Providence Public School
system for the past 17 years. She also fronted the rock band the Sliders for about 5
years in the late 90’s. She also plays guitar, violin and sings as half of the acoustic
duo, Providence Underground with Gil Allen (since 2001).As if all this wasn’t enough
she also performs in a wedding ensemble, A Change of Scene and plays violin in pit
orchestras for various theater companies throughout RI and Massachusetts.
(Greenville, RI)
Amy Bedard is a classically trained, violinist but picked up the electric violin about 15
years ago. She received her B.S. degree in Music Education at Rhode Island
College where she played violin and also sang in the chorus and chamber singers.
Amy has been playing in the RIC Symphony orchestra for the past 25 years. Bedard
has also been teaching music and strings classes in the Providence Public School
system for the past 17 years. She also fronted the rock band the Sliders for about 5
years in the late 90’s. She also plays guitar, violin and sings as half of the acoustic
duo, Providence Underground with Gil Allen (since 2001).As if all this wasn’t enough
she also performs in a wedding ensemble, A Change of Scene and plays violin in pit
orchestras for various theater companies throughout RI and Massachusetts.
Becky Chace – vocals, guitar, keys
(Barrington, RI)
Chosen Best Female Vocalist 5 times by the readers of the Providence Phoenix
Best Music Poll, Becky has been called "one of the most celebrated
singer/songwriters to come out of the RI area." Motif Magazine. She's released 8
CDs since her recording career began in 1998. Her recordings have received
critical acclaim from publications including The Boston Globe who called Chace’s
Take Your Shot “a stunning collection of original roots rock, folk, and blues."
Together with longtime friend and guitarist Brian Minisce, Chace has opened for
such national acts as B.B. King, Joan Jett, America, Judi Collins, and Leon Russell
to name a few. The Worcester Telegram recently called her a “...steamy cauldron of
music, purveying the sort of countrified roots/folk rock that hits with a gritty, earthy
edge.”
(Barrington, RI)
Chosen Best Female Vocalist 5 times by the readers of the Providence Phoenix
Best Music Poll, Becky has been called "one of the most celebrated
singer/songwriters to come out of the RI area." Motif Magazine. She's released 8
CDs since her recording career began in 1998. Her recordings have received
critical acclaim from publications including The Boston Globe who called Chace’s
Take Your Shot “a stunning collection of original roots rock, folk, and blues."
Together with longtime friend and guitarist Brian Minisce, Chace has opened for
such national acts as B.B. King, Joan Jett, America, Judi Collins, and Leon Russell
to name a few. The Worcester Telegram recently called her a “...steamy cauldron of
music, purveying the sort of countrified roots/folk rock that hits with a gritty, earthy
edge.”
Mark Cutler – electric guitar, vocal, mandolin
(Riverside, RI)
Mark Cutler has been singing and playing now for most of his life. He still
occasionally plays with his old band, The Schemers and his current band The Dino
Club. Mark was also a member of The Raindogs (with Johnny Cunningham on
fiddle) who released two critically acclaimed records on ATCO records (Buffalo
Springfields label as well!). The band toured with Bob Dylan, Warren Zevon, Bob
Dylan, Don Henley, The Georgia Satelites, the Waterboys and many others. He has
won the Motif Music Award for best Singer-Songwriter 3 years in a row (2006-09).
(Riverside, RI)
Mark Cutler has been singing and playing now for most of his life. He still
occasionally plays with his old band, The Schemers and his current band The Dino
Club. Mark was also a member of The Raindogs (with Johnny Cunningham on
fiddle) who released two critically acclaimed records on ATCO records (Buffalo
Springfields label as well!). The band toured with Bob Dylan, Warren Zevon, Bob
Dylan, Don Henley, The Georgia Satelites, the Waterboys and many others. He has
won the Motif Music Award for best Singer-Songwriter 3 years in a row (2006-09).
Dan Lilley – guitar, vocal, harmonica
(East Providence, RI)
Dan Lilley grew up in the rural town of Portsmouth, Rhode Island listening
religiously to folk music by Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, Donovon,
Bob Dylan, Lindisfarne, and of course, Neil Young. Something about the potato
fields of his home town, along with the Sakonet River that flows alongside it, and the
Newport Folk Festival influenced Dan to want to listen and play nothing but acoustic
guitar music. So, for many years he scorned any music with an electric guitar in it
and remained a folk purist, or so he thought. The problem was, if one keeps buying
Neil Young and Bob Dylan records and continues to worship these guys the way
Dan did, one will eventually be exposed to lots of electric guitar playing, real good
electric guitar playing. So it was that the pure-at-heart country boy eventually came
to embrace The Beatles, The Stones, The Kinks, The Who, Led Zep, and the entire
canon of Classic rock geniuses. Now Dan owns a couple of killer electric guitars
himself, along with his trusty Gibson acoustics. But it all goes back to the beautiful
tone of the acoustic guitar. That, along with the sweet fields of Portsmouth and the
Sakonet River, form the basis of Dan's very soul. Try to imagine the wonder he
experienced upon first discovering the immortal song books "Neil Young Complete,
Volumes 1 and 2". Countless hours were spent hunched over those books,
studying the photos of Neil with The Buffalo Springfield, Neil and Steve Stills, Neil
with early Crazy Horse, CSN&Y and of course, learning the songs! He spent his
teenage years wearing flannel shirts and patched jeans, trying to become the back
cover of Neil Young's "After The Goldrush" album. Everyday after school it was
home to his Yamaha guitar and the Neil Young songbooks. Practicing, practicing,
practicing. Strumming that E minor chord over and over again. Trying to learn "The
Needle and the Damage Done" note for note. Straining his voice to hit those
inhumanly high notes the way Neil does so effortlessly. He has fronted many bands
such as original bands Tyger Tyger, The Flying Ditchdiggers, and currently,
Lovetrain. Lovetrain is a 4-piece rock and roll band from Providence, Rhode Island,
USA. The band was started in 1993 and released its first cassette, entitled “Off The
Track” in 1995. Shortly afterwards the band underwent lineup changes,
transforming themselves from a country-tinged rock band to a harder edged rock
and roll outfit. The band is now Dan Lilley on vocals, guitar, and harmonica; John
Amitrano on bass and vocals; Mike Sullivan on lead guitar and Phil Hicks on drums.
After 15 odd years playing together the LOVETRAIN finally disbanded for good in
2010. Dan's musical focus has morphed into the duo, Dan Lilley & Scatman.
Consisting of Dan and Mike Sullivan, lead guitarist for LOVETRAIN, the guys have
found that as a duo there is more work available with a lot less hassles. The
repertoire remains very similar to what the Lovetrain was playing which is Dan's
originals along with folk, rock, and blues from the 60's and 70's. Before the final
break up the band managed to record a second CD entitled "Destination". The disc
features 11 new originals written by Dan Lilley. Released in May of 2010,
"Destination" received numerous positive reviews and was nominated for "Album of
the Year" in the 2011 Motif Magazine Music Awards. The CD is available at shows
and online at CDBaby.com. Dan was voted Best Male Vocalist in the 2010 Motif
Magazine Music Awards. Along with the duo of Dan Lilley & Scatman, Dan also
performs with Forever Young, Rhode Island's premiere Neil Young Tribute Band.
This stellar outfit has been gaining popularity in the New England area, earning the
Motif Magazine Award for Best Tribute band in 2008, 2010 and 2011.
(East Providence, RI)
Dan Lilley grew up in the rural town of Portsmouth, Rhode Island listening
religiously to folk music by Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, Donovon,
Bob Dylan, Lindisfarne, and of course, Neil Young. Something about the potato
fields of his home town, along with the Sakonet River that flows alongside it, and the
Newport Folk Festival influenced Dan to want to listen and play nothing but acoustic
guitar music. So, for many years he scorned any music with an electric guitar in it
and remained a folk purist, or so he thought. The problem was, if one keeps buying
Neil Young and Bob Dylan records and continues to worship these guys the way
Dan did, one will eventually be exposed to lots of electric guitar playing, real good
electric guitar playing. So it was that the pure-at-heart country boy eventually came
to embrace The Beatles, The Stones, The Kinks, The Who, Led Zep, and the entire
canon of Classic rock geniuses. Now Dan owns a couple of killer electric guitars
himself, along with his trusty Gibson acoustics. But it all goes back to the beautiful
tone of the acoustic guitar. That, along with the sweet fields of Portsmouth and the
Sakonet River, form the basis of Dan's very soul. Try to imagine the wonder he
experienced upon first discovering the immortal song books "Neil Young Complete,
Volumes 1 and 2". Countless hours were spent hunched over those books,
studying the photos of Neil with The Buffalo Springfield, Neil and Steve Stills, Neil
with early Crazy Horse, CSN&Y and of course, learning the songs! He spent his
teenage years wearing flannel shirts and patched jeans, trying to become the back
cover of Neil Young's "After The Goldrush" album. Everyday after school it was
home to his Yamaha guitar and the Neil Young songbooks. Practicing, practicing,
practicing. Strumming that E minor chord over and over again. Trying to learn "The
Needle and the Damage Done" note for note. Straining his voice to hit those
inhumanly high notes the way Neil does so effortlessly. He has fronted many bands
such as original bands Tyger Tyger, The Flying Ditchdiggers, and currently,
Lovetrain. Lovetrain is a 4-piece rock and roll band from Providence, Rhode Island,
USA. The band was started in 1993 and released its first cassette, entitled “Off The
Track” in 1995. Shortly afterwards the band underwent lineup changes,
transforming themselves from a country-tinged rock band to a harder edged rock
and roll outfit. The band is now Dan Lilley on vocals, guitar, and harmonica; John
Amitrano on bass and vocals; Mike Sullivan on lead guitar and Phil Hicks on drums.
After 15 odd years playing together the LOVETRAIN finally disbanded for good in
2010. Dan's musical focus has morphed into the duo, Dan Lilley & Scatman.
Consisting of Dan and Mike Sullivan, lead guitarist for LOVETRAIN, the guys have
found that as a duo there is more work available with a lot less hassles. The
repertoire remains very similar to what the Lovetrain was playing which is Dan's
originals along with folk, rock, and blues from the 60's and 70's. Before the final
break up the band managed to record a second CD entitled "Destination". The disc
features 11 new originals written by Dan Lilley. Released in May of 2010,
"Destination" received numerous positive reviews and was nominated for "Album of
the Year" in the 2011 Motif Magazine Music Awards. The CD is available at shows
and online at CDBaby.com. Dan was voted Best Male Vocalist in the 2010 Motif
Magazine Music Awards. Along with the duo of Dan Lilley & Scatman, Dan also
performs with Forever Young, Rhode Island's premiere Neil Young Tribute Band.
This stellar outfit has been gaining popularity in the New England area, earning the
Motif Magazine Award for Best Tribute band in 2008, 2010 and 2011.
Leo Dumas – drums and vocals
(New Bedford, MA)
Leo Dumas has been playing drums for a few decades starting most with weekend
gigs at the local dances, high schools, dances halls, VFW halls, private parties.
Later playing full time with rock bands, showbands, ect. In the late 70's he was flown
out to audition in Minneapolis for a band with Dez Dickerson in it. He passed the
audition, but decided to get a real job instead. A short while later Dez went on to
play with some guy named Prince. Spent most of the 90's playing in the Beatles
tribute band "The Best Of Beatlemania" traveling coast to coast doing theater and
corporate gigs with the likes of the Turtles, and Chuck Negron from Three Dog
Night. He also opened for the Drifters, Savoy Brown, James Cotton and more.
Besides being currently involved the Neil Young Tribute band "Forever young"
consisting of Rhode Islands finest singer / song writers. He's also involved in a John
Lennon tribute and many other side projects.
(New Bedford, MA)
Leo Dumas has been playing drums for a few decades starting most with weekend
gigs at the local dances, high schools, dances halls, VFW halls, private parties.
Later playing full time with rock bands, showbands, ect. In the late 70's he was flown
out to audition in Minneapolis for a band with Dez Dickerson in it. He passed the
audition, but decided to get a real job instead. A short while later Dez went on to
play with some guy named Prince. Spent most of the 90's playing in the Beatles
tribute band "The Best Of Beatlemania" traveling coast to coast doing theater and
corporate gigs with the likes of the Turtles, and Chuck Negron from Three Dog
Night. He also opened for the Drifters, Savoy Brown, James Cotton and more.
Besides being currently involved the Neil Young Tribute band "Forever young"
consisting of Rhode Islands finest singer / song writers. He's also involved in a John
Lennon tribute and many other side projects.
John Fuzek – guitar, vocal, 6-string banjo, keys, harmonica
(Harmony, RI)
John has been performing his own style of music, either solo or as part of a duo,
around the Northeast and various points of the US for over 25 years. He was part of
the popular duo Fuzek•Rossoni for seven years and still occasionally performs with
Mary Ann Rossoni. He produced the Hear In Rhode Island Music Festival for eight
years, showcases and workshops for the Rhode Island Songwriters Association (he
is currently Co-Chairperson of RISA), worked with other festivals and helped
produce a few CDs by other artists. His first solo, full length CD, “A Dog’s Age”, was
released in May 2004 and was chosen by the Providence Phoenix as one of the
BEST ACOUSTIC CDs in RI. He has also been nominated for the Providence
Phoenix’s Best Music Poll several times and has won twice in the Best Male Vocalist
category. He has shared the stage with notables such as: Judy Collins, Richie
Havens, Kevin Bacon, Steve Forbert, Noel Paul Stookey (Peter, Paul & Mary), River
Phoenix, Tom Rush, Marshal Crenshaw, Livingston Taylor and many more…
(Harmony, RI)
John has been performing his own style of music, either solo or as part of a duo,
around the Northeast and various points of the US for over 25 years. He was part of
the popular duo Fuzek•Rossoni for seven years and still occasionally performs with
Mary Ann Rossoni. He produced the Hear In Rhode Island Music Festival for eight
years, showcases and workshops for the Rhode Island Songwriters Association (he
is currently Co-Chairperson of RISA), worked with other festivals and helped
produce a few CDs by other artists. His first solo, full length CD, “A Dog’s Age”, was
released in May 2004 and was chosen by the Providence Phoenix as one of the
BEST ACOUSTIC CDs in RI. He has also been nominated for the Providence
Phoenix’s Best Music Poll several times and has won twice in the Best Male Vocalist
category. He has shared the stage with notables such as: Judy Collins, Richie
Havens, Kevin Bacon, Steve Forbert, Noel Paul Stookey (Peter, Paul & Mary), River
Phoenix, Tom Rush, Marshal Crenshaw, Livingston Taylor and many more…
Pete Vendettuoli – banjo, mandolin, guitar, vocals, keys
(RIchmond, RI)
Pete Vendettuoli has been a fixture in the New England Music Scene for over a
decade, playing in bands such as "No Shamus", "Josie Crosby Band", "Rank
Strangers", "Fat Glass" and "Garda Band". As the owner of PM Recording in North
Kingston, Pete has his finger on the pulse of the RI Music Scene and has
accompanied many of the area's finest talent. He is also the owner of the RI based
Ethnic Concepts stores.
(RIchmond, RI)
Pete Vendettuoli has been a fixture in the New England Music Scene for over a
decade, playing in bands such as "No Shamus", "Josie Crosby Band", "Rank
Strangers", "Fat Glass" and "Garda Band". As the owner of PM Recording in North
Kingston, Pete has his finger on the pulse of the RI Music Scene and has
accompanied many of the area's finest talent. He is also the owner of the RI based
Ethnic Concepts stores.
photo by Denise JR Bass