By WILLIAM HAGEMAN
Chicago Tribune

They’ve got the musical talent, on-stage mannerisms and authentic instruments, right down to the 1960s-vintage Ludwig drum kit.

But what sets Stockwood apart from other Beatles tribute bands is a boyish exuberance.

And it’s as genuine as the drum set. After all, these guys aren’t even in high school yet.

Mcclatchy-Tribune

Members of Stockwood — billed as the world’s youngest Beatles tribute band — do their own playing and singing.

Stockwood — billed as the world’s youngest Beatles tribute band — comprises Collin Berg and J.D. Fuller, both 14; 12-year-old John Morefield; and Evan Berg, Collin’s 10-year-old brother. Or on stage, John, Paul, George and Ringo, respectively.

They’ve been together for three years, since a talent show at their Woodstock, Ill., school, Dean Street Elementary, where they did “I Want to Hold Your Hand” and “Can’t Buy Me Love.”

A teacher who saw them was putting together a fundraiser for a few weeks later and asked J.D.’s father, Jay Fuller, a physical education teacher at the school, if the boys might be interested in playing. They learned six more songs, and the rest is music history.

They’ve played at festivals, benefits, block parties and store openings. From the Taste of Polonia to the Fest for Beatle Fans, where last year they won the battle-of-the-bands competition. Venues have ranged from the House of Blues in Chicago to the Rosewood Retirement Home in Elgin, Ill., one of their first gigs. They have a Web site ( www.stockwoodrocks.com), there’s talk of a CD, and they play all over the Midwest, taking their love of the Beatles with them.

“I’ve liked Beatles music since I was very young,” Collin said. “Everybody (in the band) loved it when they were young. We just loved the music, the good messages in it.”

“We just enjoy the style,” added John.

At a recent rehearsal, the boys warmed up by doing scales and practicing harmonizing. They’ve been taking voice lessons for about a year, according to Rob Murphy, J.D.’s uncle and their business manager, an effort to keep puberty from pulling a Yoko Ono on the band.

Then they took a nice spin through “A Hard Day’s Night,” during which Collin let loose with an on-the-nose Lennonesque scream — any Beatles fan can hear it in his head — before the last verse.

These guys are amazingly good. So good, in fact, that they get lumped in with the likes of Milli Vanilli and Ashlee Simpson, who were caught lip-synching their performances.

“People say that all the time,” Murphy said. ” ‘They’re playing soundtracks behind them,’ ‘They’re not really playing.’ But it’s them.”

What is artificially enhanced is their hair. All four are blond, and three have opted for dye jobs.

“J.D. was the only one who decided he was OK with being a blond,” Murphy said.

“He’s J.D. 24 hours a day,” said his mom, Debbie Fuller. “He’s Paul only a couple hours a week.”

How long the boys will keep Stockwood going is anyone’s guess. It’s also their choice.

“They’re not forced into anything,” Murphy said. “We tell them, ‘Anytime you want to quit, it’s OK.’ We don’t want to be stage parents.”

This thing may continue for a while, though. Stockwoodmania has its advantages.

“The groupies,” Murphy laughed. “There are six or eight girls who follow them. I swear they’re at every show.