THE BAND
DAVE BENNETT
// Guitar/Vocals
Dave Bennett has been a part of the Lake Arrowhead community since 1971. Dave was raised in a musical environment,(sister Pamela being a member of the 60’s folk group “The New Christy Minstrels"), Dave began playing guitar and piano at the age of 9. After graduating from Rim High in 1972, Dave left to study music at the community college and university level in Denver, Co., where he was introduced to jazz by his music instructors and while playing in local R&B bands in downtown Denver clubs. Although his first touring opportunity came after joining a local country/rock band, jazz was always at the top of the listening list. After studying instrument building at the Roberto-Venn school of luthiery in Phoenix, AZ, Dave returned to the mountain communities and continued to play music locally and in the LA area as he started his construction company, Dave Bennett Construction Inc, and raised his family. Dave had the distinct pleasure of joining Michael Paulo and the smooth jazz all stars on stage at the BJJF in 2012. Always a champion of local charities, Dave has been with Christmas in April/Rebuilding Together for 20 years,(10 as a board member), and has recently joined the BJJF board to lend his hand in promoting jazz and to provide assistance in furthering opportunities to local music programs.
VICKIE G
// Vocals
Vickie G has been singing and doing theatre since childhood. She spent 6 years touring the country in an RV playing music and recording 6 albums with her original band, Betty Dylan, who was chosen to perform at Willie Nelson's Farm Aid in 2004 and opened for major acts such as Leon Russell, Casey Chambers, Buddy & Julie Miller, Greg Trooper, Hank Williams III, Rodney Crowell, Dan Hicks, Loudon Wainright, and others. She has also performed the National Anthem at various baseball games, hockey games, car races and events all over the country. Vickie calls Lake Arrowhead her home now and continues to record and play music with the Dudes as well as her award-winning Renaissance Faire music quartet, The Story Wrens.
JOHN GOLDEN
// guitar/vocals
John Golden is the consumate guitar player, singer and song writer. He's been playing in bands in Lake Arrowhead for over 20 years with Dave Bennett. A talented harmonizer with a knack for singing the blues, his voice, rhythm and lead guitar adds depth to The Dudes.
DEAN CORTEZ
// bass
By the time he graduated high school, Dean was the regular bassist with the famed latin-percussionist/singer Wille Bobo. A founding member of the seminal latin-fusion band 'Caldera,' Dean recorded two albums with them before becoming the bassist on the Boz Scagg World Tour. Dean has recorded virtually every album and currently tours with the band, Hiroshima. He also tours regularly with numerous other major artists, and records music for both film and television.
ROY SWEDEEN
// drums
Roy Swedeen is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, composer, recording engineer, and producer. He has been a professional musician since age 10. As both a recording artist and a working musician, his gigs vary depending on the day. He says, “One moment I'm writing an orchestrated action track and the next I'm going to go play a blues gig; I'm just grateful to be playing music for a living.” His original music recordings have been licensed for use on MTV, Entertainment Tonight, Animal Planet, The Travel Channel, Friends, and many more. UNCUT magazine's review of one of his CD projects says: " Swedeen proves himself a multi-instrumental dynamo, tackling everything from cactus blues and roadhouse ramalama to outlaw country and beyond." Roy Swedeen's latest CD release is called "Desert Road Trip,” which is a collection of instrumental music inspired by California's Mojave Desert. It can be heard on Pandora and is available for purchase online.