The Lt. Dan Band Rocks!
I took Little Man to the concert at the Uptown Theater on friday night. Gary Sinise & the Lt. Dan Band were so much better than I imagined. You think that actors would be so-so musicians because if they were great musicians why not choose music over acting, right?! This group was not a band that you would see at weddings or sweet sixteen birthday parties. These guys & gals are talented. Extremely so! They played cover tunes only but the genres varied. They played some Rolling Stones, the Who (to Little Man's delight), Linkin Park, Bob Dylan, and Mariah Carey to name a few. It was energetic and at a tiny little place so it was cozy too.
First I want to say, Gary Sinise looks just like he does on TV. He was the same height that I imagined, same weight, same eyes and smile but he looked younger. Maybe on CSI:NY they try to make him look older. Who knows. It could have been that he had this silly smile plastered to his face for 2 1/2 hours straight! I don't mean silly as in stupid but silly as in fun. I have never would have guessed this guy is party animal. He looked so happy and was having a great time. He had plenty of interaction with the crowd.
The other concert goers were super nice. They let Little Man get in front so he could see. He was right at the feet of his hero "Mac". About 2 hours into the show Little Man turned around and rested against me, hugging my chest. He was tired. Gary looked at me and gave a sympathic look at Little Man (who didn't see our exchange). I mouthed "he's tired" and Gary nodded and kept smiling like he had been the whole evening. I felt bad for Little Man because I think he had been trying to get Gary Sinise's attention all evening and as soon as he turned around that is when he got noticed. Of course, the man probably thought I was a horrible mother keeping her kid out past his bedtime. What can I say? I let him watch R-rated movies too as long as there is no sex. I am probably going to hell for it or at the very least need to pay for psychotherapy for Little Man when he gets older.
I have to talk about the rest of the group. They kicked ass! The singers were awesome. The male singer had long blonde hair that was so dang pretty I just wanted to go up to him and touch it and ask what shampoo does he use. He was super energetic and sang Message In A Bottle by the Police. AWESOME. The one girl singer wore a Cheerios t-shirt and that made me love her. There was a husband and wife percussion team. Every person in that group was smiling and having a good time. Maybe that is the key. Music groups do these rigorous tours. But the Lt. Dan Band only does shows sporadically making it more of a fun thing than a job. It was just a big ol' party and I was glad to be there.
The bad news: I didn't take a camera. I met a nice woman who said she would email me some pictures. I hope she does. Then you can see how close we were. In the meantime here are some really crappy cell phone pictures.
posted by Daphnewood @ 4:32 PM
12 comments
12 Comments:
How cool! I have never actually wanted to see an 'actor's band' perform. Didn't know Lt Dan had one and it sounds like a good time. Nice!
Don't you wonder how these gigs even pay for themselves? When you consider the number of performers vs. the number of audience members, time and travel to and from LA or wherever? Anyway, glad you and Little Man had fun!
You aren't a horrid mother, it was a special occasion!
Findingheart, it was a kid friendly atmosphere for sure. The tickets were extremely cheap ($12) and I cannot say enough about the beauty of the theater. They rent it out for weddings and other events. If you are ever in Kansas City, check out the Uptown Theater.
Rick, when I thought about the low price of the tickets I did wonder just how much money they would actually be making for OIC. The cool part about Gary Sinise rocking out is I am pretty sure that he gave his services freely. I think they all did. Kimo Williams (Gary Sinise's original music partner and fellow badass) also has a non-profit organization for veterans. The theme that seemed to be going around that night was "just trying to make the world a better place for everyone". It seems naive coming from two middle-aged guys but the world needs more dreamers like them. And besides, for two middle-aged guys, they sure can rock.
Nettie, thanks. I was feeling bad the last 15 minutes or so but at the same time, Little Man really didn't want to leave. I asked him if he wanted to go home and he said "no". Honestly, if Mr. Sinise did think I was a horrible mother he gave no indication he was having that thought. He was just as smiley as he had been the whole night. It was my own guilt speaking there. I do love having these special times with my kids. Hopefully, they will do the same when they become parents.
u know what i anit even go into it u know i think your a wonderful mom and u have help me & mikey more than u know so I know with your kids your great!
Glad to hear that you had a good time. It willl be a memory that will stay with Little Man forever. We all need to spend more of this kind of quality time with our kids.
Ryan, you are too sweet. You and Mike have taught me a lot too. I look at the way you are open and honest with your family and I see how Mike doesn't feel as comfortable being that open with his family. I want my kids to feel safe to come to me with anything. We may not always agree but there is always love and respect. xoxo
Al, I really thought he would fall asleep on the drive home but he just kept talking and talking about the show and everything he saw. I hope he does remember it fondly, sore feet and all.
SA, I felt so bad for him. Little Man is really shy around strangers. Gary Sinise actually noticed Little Man often, but Little Man was in awe of his surroundings. He was watching the crowd, the dancing, the singing and disco ball in the ceiling. That was the one time though that Gary Sinise was kind of trying to get Little Man's attention and he was just dogged tired. It's okay because he has already constructed a letter to "Mac" and I must send it off to CBS. He wrote one to "Gil Grissom" once before and was rewarded with an autographed picture for his efforts. Maybe he'll get lucky once again.
No joke? I had no idea Gary Sinise had a band. Wow that must have been some experience! Lucky you and lucky for Little Man!
O-o-o-o (finger-waggin' goin' on), don't you be dissin' no middle-aged rockers. The non-profit thing explains a lot... that's the way our band (Morning Light) rolls. The band actually becomes the charity. It all works out in the end.
Leslie, not only does Gary Sinise have a band, he has a GOOD band. We had lots and lots of fun.
Rick, I am not dissin' the middle aged rockers! Everyone was appropriately dressed (no tube tops) and no one was taking drugs. I have a healthy new respect for older rockers. Do you hear me wolf whistling? I also have a healthy new respect for middle-aged roadies. You guys work your butts off (an even bigger wolf whistle for you)
i iam so jealous, have I mentioned lately how very much I love the man? and little man looks so cute too.
Rowan, are you talking about Gary Sinise? He is just a genuine nice guy. Next time he and the band come to town you will just have to come stay with me and we'll go together to see them perform, okay?
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