Lt. Dan Band

Lt. Dan Band

Chicago Air and Water Festival, 2008
Background information
Origin Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Genres Rock, pop
Years active 2004–present
Website www.ltdanband.com
Members
  • Gary Sinise
  • Kimo Williams
  • Gina Gonzalez
  • Mari Anne Jayme
  • Jeff Vezain
  • Kirk Garrison
  • Danny Gottlieb
  • Beth Gottlieb
  • Dan Myers
  • Ernie Denov
  • Ben Lewis
  • Mitch Paliga
  • Daniel Jeux
  • Julie Dutchak
  • Molly Callinan
Past members
  • Carol Williams

The Lt. Dan Band is a cover band founded by Gary Sinise and Kimo Williams to perform at USO shows, entertain troops, and raise money for disabled veterans. 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, hence the band's name.[1] The concept came about when Sinise asked for permission to bring musicians on his USO tours. The group was initially known as "Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band".[2]

The Lt. Dan Band has grown from the occasional jam session and Chicago-area gigs to performing for charities and non-profit organizations including the USO[3] and Operation Iraqi Children, the latter of which was co-founded by Sinise in March 2004.[4] They frequently visit military bases in the United States and abroad.

Sinise is involved in building a memorial to America's three million, living, disabled veterans,[5] at whose opening the band is expected to play.

Awards

For his humanitarian work, Gary Sinise has received the Bob Hope Award for Excellence in Entertainment, the Spirit of the USO Award, Sylvanus Thayer Award, Doughboy Award, Dwight D. Eisenhower Award, and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. He was given the Presidential Citizens Medal in 2008,[6] and the National Daddy Award in 2016.

References

  1. ↑ "Lt. Dan Band Profile". Retrieved 2007-04-04.
  2. ↑ CBS Interview, Nov 2009
  3. ↑ "Lt. Dan Band Performance History". Retrieved 2007-11-05.
  4. ↑ "Operation Iraqi Children: Mission Statement". 2004. Retrieved 2007-11-05.
  5. ↑ Gilmore, Gerry (2007-01-29). "Sinise Supports Disabled Veterans' Memorial". Army.Mil/News. Retrieved 2007-11-05.
  6. ↑ "Gary Sinise | National Memorial Day Concert | PBS". www.pbs.org. Retrieved 18 August 2016.


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