The Day He Came To Town
Do you recognise him? Do you watch CSI: New York? Yes, that guy. Gary Sinise. He also plays in a band called Lt. Dan Band.
This was as close as I could get to take Gary Sinise's photo.
(From Wikipedia) - The Lt. Dan Band is a cover band founded by Kimo Williams and Gary Sinise. The band is named after the character Lieutenant Dan Taylor, whom Sinise portrayed in the film Forrest Gump. Sinise has said in interviews that many people know him by sight as "Lieutenant Dan" rather than by his real name.
Since 2003 the band has been performing for charities and non-profit organizations including the USO and Operation Iraqi Children. They frequently visit military bases in the United States and abroad.
I was abroad - in Germany - when Gary Sinise and his band made an appearance at the army base where we belonged to. The concert lasted for two hours and they played songs from all decades (1940s to contemporary pop). The band was entertaining and Mr Sinise chatted with the crowd in between breaks. When the band performed the "Conga" song, the members encouraged the crowd to form a conga line - a very long line. (No, I did not join in - too shy). It was a good concert - a private one for about 300 soldiers, civilians, contractors and their families.It is interesting to note that Gary Sinise is a co-creator of Operation Iraqi Children.
(From Wikipedia) - Operation Iraqi Children is a charitable program created by actor Gary Sinise and author Laura Hillenbrand to send school supplies to Iraqi children. OIC is a program functioning in partnership under People to People International (PTPI), an NGO with a U.S., not-for-profit [501(c)(3)] tax rating. The executive committee is comprised of Sinise, Hillenbrand and PTPI's President and CEO, Mary Eisenhower.
OIC has expanded its outreach program to children in Afghanistan, and children in the United States who were adversely affected by Hurricane Katrina. In recognition of their efforts, OIC was voted “Best Bridge Builder” of 2006 by Reader’s Digest Magazine and has received an official letter of endorsement from the White House.
US soldiers distribute the supplies during the off-duty hours.
Since I did not live in the vicinity where there was a possibility of celebrity sightings (and I still don't), attending that concert for free was a rare treat.
By the way, if you are a CSI fan, which CSI do you like best?
36 comments:
didn kno he's also a singer. was he good?
I thought I would hear him sing but he didn't. He played the bass guitar very well, though.
When they played and sang the theme song from CSI: New York, the audience got all excited. :)
U shy? Was it a typo? hehe..but i bet you had fun. Its good that they give back to society even though they are famous. Great stuff, thanks for sharing.
My CSI preference:
1. CSI Miami
2. CSI NY
3. CSI Vegas
You too shy to join the conga line? Hmmm... I wonder if U.Lee would have joined if he was there. Nanti everyone else does the conga, he does the tango... :)
I've always liked CSI: Las Vegas the best, maybe because that was the first one I watched. But now that I don't watch it any more, the others seem okay as well... :P (*sniff* don't call me unfaithful! lol)
I can't remember him in Forrest Gump at all...but then I watched it quite long ago. And I also never knew he was a singer.
Dear Jac,
Ah, the gary guy. Love him to bits man...he's super cool.
My fave CSI is the original one.
Hi J.T., I had no idea he was in a bad. Yeah, I like the Lieutenant Dan character, and the first I saw him on CSI:NY, I could not recall which movie I had seen him in before. I like the original CSI - the Las Vegas one. I don't mind the NY one too, but the Miami one is the worse. It's because of that David Caruso, the way he portray his character seems so fakey. But is my hubby's favorite CSI.
BTW, I like your new picture on your blog. So sweet!
j.t.
The moral of your story is the limitless ways you can be charitable and contribute to society as this group did. The more famous you are the easier for you to contribute. I salute to this guy for doing what he did. The bassist is an important member as he kept the beat of the band. More often than not the bassist is the leader.
My children love CSI and I will see it only when they does as I am curious to know what kep them glued toit. So I cant answer your 'soalan cepu emas' at the end of your write up.
j.t. thanks for sharing this story with us.
not really a big fan of csi and its spinoffs but i do watch the show sometimes.
i love watching that forest gump movie. heck, its even in my list of all time favorites.
it is always heart warming to know that people who have the fame, makes good use of that to give back to society :)
hmm, i dont remember him in Forrest Gump too (is this another sign that i'm growing o l d?) :P as for csi, onli catch it occassionally, no favs
have a great day j.t.!
Hi JT,
Va va voom! WOW! Lieutenant Dan Taylor...YES I know that character in Forrest Gump. Oh I cried buckets watching that movie over and over again. I do watch CSI but not regularly though.
I agree with the rest here it is great that he is giving back to society.
How talented Gary Sinise is, being an actor and musically inclined too. Amazing people. Cheers.
Hello Nightwing
No typo - I am shy at times. :)
Interesting to note that you prefer CSI: Miami above others. I would not mind it except watching David Caruso in action. hahaha I like his team, though.
Hi Pi
hahaha... I am imagining that comical scene. " Nanti everyone else does the conga, he does the tango... :)
And as I mentioned to Nightwing, yes.. I am shy. At least in a crowd I am not familiar with. Among relatives - let loose saja. :D
Hi WP
Yeah, most people tend to favour CSI:Vegas because it is the original.
When I first saw Gary Sinise on CSI, for some reason my memory of his acting first went to the other movie he made with Mel Gibson titled 'Ransom'. Gary Sinise played the kidnapper.
Dear Elviza
Yeah, he's a cool guy. Love to see his character on CSI. Captivating on stage too. ;)
I like the original one too.
Hi Dawn
Not many people would choose CSI:Miami over the others. To me, David Caruso seems to try too hard to be cool but, as mentioned to Nightwing above, I like his team. I don't mind watching it if he will appear less on the screen! haha
Thanks for the compliment about my profile picture. *blushing*
that show lt. dan starred in... is my all time fav movie... life is indeed like a box of choc...
not a CSI fan... but i think i like miami... guess why... hehe...
Hi Zawi
Good point, thanks! It is true, there are limitless ways we can be charitable and contribute to society. Of course, when one is famous, one has the 'power' to make a cause well-known (as in the late Princess Diana who focused on land mines, among other causes). With fame, one can rope in more help and create awareness.
Thanks for your thoughts, Zawi.
Hi KC
When Gary Sinise said "Life is like a box of chocolates...", the crowd went wild. I guess many people identify him with the Forrest Gump movie (unlike me).
Hi Winnie
You wrote: "" I don't remember him in Forrest Gump too (is this another sign that i'm growing old?")
I don't think so. :) Maybe you don't remember him there, because his character was overshadowed by Tom Hanks. Sometimes, in movies, we tend to take notice of the main actor/actress only. The others are just passing by.
You have a good week, Winnie.
Hi Ruby
So, you remember him as Lt. Dan in Forrest Gump. My brother had to remind me about his character in that movie - the guy who was in the wheel chair.
When I read about what he does in his free time, I thought that it was amazing of him to give back to society in so many ways - time, money, talent, resources.
Cheers to you too.
Hi Zewt
Miami, huh? Could it because of that blonde-haired girl in their team???? hehe
I find her cute. She used to act on West Wing too - loved her from that show.
err JT, it wasnt gary sinise who quoted that famous one-liners. it was tom hanks dear.
muahhh!
Hi KC
Oh yes, I know that. Tom Hanks was the person who said that famous one-liner but at the concert, Gary Sinise quoted what Tom Hanks said in the movie. (I should have been clearer, sorry.) :) Thanks, anyway.
muahhh!
Waah! Gary Sinise came to your town? Lucky you.. Now I just can't wait for Gary Diordan to play the late Phil Lynott in an autobiographical movie of the Thin Lizzy bassist - TL being my favorite rock band ever!
Hmmmm... I just think that Horatio Caine is so cool. Remember him in 'An Officer An a Gentlemen'? That's why CSI Miami is my favorite - altho' it's been ages since I tuned in to the show. Anyway, can get on DVD laa...
Hey MS
It sure has been awhile since I've seen you around. Thanks for dropping by.
Thin Lizzy - I've heard of that band but not familiar with their songs. I had to look them up on the internet. I recognise only one song - "The Boys Are Back in Town". (pitiful huh? haha) I will look out for that movie, now that you have mentioned it. It's never too late to learn about great musicians. :)(I read that the late Phil Lynott employed some unique techniques on the guitar).
Now, which character did David Caruso (Horatio Caine) play in "An Officer and A Gentleman"? I don't remember him there. Too distracted by Richard Gere. :P
These days, DVDs are churned out so quickly after a season is over, we are never too far behind with TV shows, if we miss them.
I didn't know Gary Sinise sings in a band. Only knew him from Forrest Gump, which is my all time favourite movie. Sorry to go off the topic here.(not a CSI fan, I KNOW! unbelievable right!) But, Forrest Gump was one of the better movies I have seen.
Lt. Dan was an interesting character in the movie. Thanks for posting this up. Very interesting and amaze to find out the efforts Gary Sinise is doing...
eh jt, i missed the q at the bottom. my fav is in this order:
1. csi - vegas
2. csi ny
3. csi miami
Hi from Poland :-) I adore Gary Sinise, I have been in love with him since I saw Of Mice and Men, a long time ago ;-) He's a brilliant actor, whatever role he plays. I saw Him in almost all his movies and every time he was just fantastic. And I've got plenty of pictures from his band's concerts, unfortunately they've never been to Poland yet. Gary is not only a great actor, but also a damn sexy man and a very good person, I admire him also for his charity work. Someone I know called him a freakin' Saint and I agree with that. As far as CSI is concerned, my favourite is of course CSI:NY, you know why :-) then comes Las Vegas and then Miami. I like Caruso and Petersen but they just can't be compared to Gary, who is an accomplished actor with many awards. And he' obviously the most attractive of thyem all. I just love his face, neck, arms... and everything. He's perfect.
Regards:-)
Wow! this is news to me...never thought Gary can play musical instrument or sing...can't picture him like that in my mind..hehehe
I love CSI Vegas of course...but lately, CSI Miami takes a good turn...
take care and cheers.
Hello spikeyspikey
Welcome to my blog and the blogosphere. I see you just started your blog on September 6. Cool!
By the way, Gary Sinise did not sing at that concert I attended. He just played the bass guitar and talked to the audience during breaks (from the stage). He did do a solo bass guitar performance, though. He's good!
It is not unbelievable that you are not a CSI fan. There are some shows that people just don't fancy ... and that's ok. We all have our preferences. :)
It is no surprise why you named your blog name "Life is Like a Box of Chocolates". You are a definite fan of the Forrest Gump movie. :)
Thanks for dropping by. Hope to see you around.
Hi Princess Farina
Looks like we have something in common when it comes to the order of preference of CSI shows. :)
Hello Anonymous
Welcome to my blog. So nice to see my first visitor from Poland. :)
wow... you are a full-fledged Gary Sinise fan.
I believe what makes him attractive is the way he carries himself in his work - professionally and in charity. I hope he won't ever be spoilt by Hollywood fame and become one of those actors who get publicity for the wrong reasons.
Have fun!
Hello Raden
I always saw Gary Sinise in serious roles (my favourite was that movie, Ransom, with Mel Gibson). Hence, a surprise when I found out he has a band and they were coming to town to perform.
I don't mind CSI: Miami because of the team. Miami is interesting; David Caruso ... hmmm. I guess if I watch it more often, I will get accustomed to his face. :D
hi JT dear :
Me to me too I am CSI mad hahaha I watch everyone of them hahaah so sad huh xxxxxxxxxx
Hi Pearly dear
Oh no.. that's not sad at all. Right now I am watching a re-run of CSI:Miami. :P (Miami is bottom of the list of my choice of CSIs but it is still a CSI episode).
Take care Pearly. *hugs*
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