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Musicians

Mindy Lilyquist, a resident of Utah, has been performing in and outside the state for over 14 years. She started on the local stages of Lagoon Theme Park and moved onto performing for Utah State University's acclaimed "Glen Miller Singers", traveling the United States to share some of the greatest jazz standards of all time. She has since performed throughout the world as headlining entertainment for the Radisson Diamond Cruise ship as well as performing for a season at Sun Valley resort. Currently, Mindy is performing locally with many entertainment companies, including her annual stint as Lorena Bobbit in Odyssey Dance Theater's award wining Halloween show, Thriller. She feels blessed to be sharing the stage with all the accomplished artists of the Salamanders.   Mike Dowdle has release nine CD’s internationally, which have been reviewed in such national publications as “JAZZIZ” and “Guitar Player”. He is featured on thousands of commercials, movie soundtracks and CD’s, playing every imaginable musical style. Some of the artists include Marie Osmond, The Osmond Brothers and the Jets. You’ll hear his guitar on movie scores and movie trailers, such as “Cool Runnings”, “I Love Trouble”, “The Three Musketeers”, “Multiplicity”, “The Cable Guy”“The Stand, “The Yearling”, “Antz” and “Born to Be Wild”. You may hear him in the background on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Today Show (NBC), Good Morning America (ABC), ABC Sports main theme or ABC Monday Night Football. In a review of Michael’s work on CD, Johnathan Widran from JAZZIZ.com has said, “His fluid electric guitar lines pop and crackle and run easily into edgy blues territory, while his graceful acoustic melodies are as lilting as smooth jazz gets.” Visit Michael’s website at michaeldowdle.com .   Dave Despain, a founding member of the Salamanders, has been playing keyboards in a variety of bands since he was in junior high and has had the opportunity to travel all over the US and Europe playing for conventions and concerts. He does occasional session work and arranging for local songwriters and artists as well as local businesses and national corporations. You can hear his work on radio spots, Sony PlayStation games, and numerous CDs. Over the years he has been the keyboard player for numerous local acts including The Saliva Sisters, The Osmonds 2nd Generation, Joshua Creek, Thurl Bailey and has recently played shows with Juice Newton, Collin Raye, Lucy Lawless, Debbie Reynolds and Bo Diddly.   Rick “Sneez” Senese has performed on hundreds recording sessions and is the “in demand” drummer for many local groups such as Colors, Peter Breinholt, Osmond 2nd Generation and Julie DeAzevedo. You may have caught him performing at the 2002 Olympic Opening Ceremony with the Dixie Chicks. He has recorded for NBC, ABC, ESPN, FOX, K-JAZZ, the Ricky Lake Show, Honda and Nu-Skin. You can visit Sneez at www.sneezdrums.com.   Mike Rytting has performed locally for years, and also backed up such national artists as Tanya Tucker, Jim Stafford, the Coasters, Drifters, Platters and the Cherelles. He has also performed in concert or recorded with local artists Michael McClean, Thurl Bailey, Osmond Second Generation and Nancy Hanson. He has also recorded on local and national ad campaigns for television, “The Christmas Tree Festival”, “Extreme Clothing” and “Home Front” spots for the LDS church.