Becky Chace

Led by their namesake lead singer, the Becky Chace Band has proven to be a prolific act while quickly and steadily building an audience and endearing itself to critics. Chace, who had begun writing and playing songs at the age of 16, had actually begun to make a name for herself as a solo act prior to putting together the band. She won the WRX Acoustic Challenge in Newport in 1998 and, in October of that year, issued Play Me to favorable reviews. Adding guitarist Brian Minisce and bassist Liza Annuziate, the group began to tour extensively in the Northeast, including slots opening for Judy Collins and Gin Blossoms. In 2000, Chace earned a nod as Best Female Vocalist by the readers of the Providence Phoenix and the band issued Take Your Shot, again receiving positive notices for their blend of rock, pop, and folk. Chace managed to replicate her success in 2001 with the Providence Phoenix readers and the group also scored honors for Best CD and their song "St. Joan" nabbed Best Song, securing it a place on several regional compilations. They added drummer David Latimer in September 2001 and, by the spring of the following year, had issued another album, Used Cars, which showcased the band's live, stripped-down feel. The prolific act's profile continued to increase and they quickly followed with Entertaining Road Hazards, an EP that combined tracks recorded live in the studio with newer compositions, in August 2002.