Gary Sinise News & Updates

Gary to Participate in National Memorial Day Parade

Deb K — Mon, 26 May 2008 01:18:28 +0000

Gary is scheduled to participate in the 2008 National Memorial Day Parade, Monday, May 26th in Washington, D.C. The parade steps off at the corner of Constitution and 7th Streets NW at 2:00 p.m. Please see here for more information about the parade route and schedule of events.

For additional information about the parade in general as well as photos from last year’s parade, please see National Memorial Day Parade.

Gary, as Honorary Grand Marshal, is pictured below with wounded service members serving as Grand Marshals of the 2007 National Memorial Day Parade.

More from Lt. Dan Band Show at Joe’s

Deb K — Sun, 18 May 2008 18:07:30 +0000

Thanks to the generosity of Sinisefan Ellen C. we have a much better quality video of the Lt. Dan Band performing at Joe’s Bar on May 2nd. Ellen was seated very close to the stage and directly in front of Gary and Jeff, so it is definitely worth a look. Gary’s expressions while playing bass are priceless!

Also, Glenda has kindly provided photos of Gary from the performance that night.

Thanks again to both Ellen and Glenda for sharing their video and photographs!

Coming soon: Steppenwolf Gala photos

Gary and the Band Rocking at the Pentagon

Deb K — Sat, 17 May 2008 03:12:46 +0000

Earlier today, Gary and the Lt. Dan Band performed at the 4th Annual America Supports You Military Tribute Concert at the Pentagon Courtyard.

There are a couple articles recapping the event, but some of the better ones can be found at DoD-American Forces Press Service, America Supports You, and Stars and Stripes. The Stars and Stripes article includes a five minute video wherein Gary talks about returning to Iraq this summer and the band heading to Germany, the United Kingdom and Netherlands in June as well as two snippets from the show.

The Department of Defense has posted some photos of the event here, but be sure to have a look at the terrific (evidence below) concert shots in the photo essay.

Gary and Lt. Dan Band at Joe’s Bar - video

Deb K — Sat, 17 May 2008 01:30:11 +0000

On May 2nd, Gary and the Lt. Dan Band performed at Joe’s Bar in Chicago. This benefit concert was open to the public and proceeds went to the United States Vietnam Arts Program. The USVAP and Lt. Dan Band co-founder Kimo Williams (a Vietnam veteran) and his ensemble Kimotion were selected to perform at the International Hue Festival in Hue Vietnam June 1st through June 5th. Read more about Kimo’s upcoming visit to Vietnam at USVAP and more about Kimotion here.

We have photos from the Joe’s concert (and the Steppenwolf Gala) which will be posted soon. A big thank you to Glenda for those once again this year.

In the meantime, there are two videos from the concert (thanks to youtube). The first is the band performing “Baba O’Riley;” the second is primarily Jeff Vezain’s performance of ”Smooth.” The audio is not the best (especially for “Smooth”), but these might be enjoyable for those who have not been to a Lt. Dan Band show - yet.

Gary to Co-Host National Memorial Concert

Lynn — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:18:55 +0000

Gary and Joe Mantegna will be hosting the National Memorial Day Concert on May 25, 2008. PBS broadcasts this event; check your local PBS station for listings, or visit PBS.org.

The full press release is after the jump.

Join Co-Hosts Gary Sinise and Joe Mantegna for An American Tradition:
The 2008 NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT
A Time to Remember, to Heal and Bring our Nation Together- Live National Television Event from the U.S. Capitol starring Gladys Knight, Sarah Brightman, General Colin Powell, Idina Menzel, Denis Leary, John Schneider, Gail O’Grady, Charles Durning, Rodney Atkins, Caitlin Wachs, Robert McDuffie, Maestro Erich Kunzel and the National Symphony Orchestra -

Washington, DC, April 28, 2008 – As the war in Iraq and Afghanistan wages on, PBS unites our nation with the award-winning National Memorial Day Concert honoring the service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform, their families at home and all of those who have given their lives for our country. The event, which has become the memorial service for our entire nation, is co-hosted for the third year by Gary Sinise (CSI:New York) and Tony Award-winner Joe Mantegna (Criminal Minds), two acclaimed actors who have dedicated themselves to veteran’s causes and supporting our troops in active service. The top-rated show will be broadcast live on PBS from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol on Sunday, May 25, 2008 from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. ET (check local listings) before a concert audience of 300,000, millions more at home, as well as to our troops serving around the world on the American Forces Radio and Television Network.

This year, the event will pay special tribute to the veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam and the sacred war memorials built in their honor in our nation’s capital. Actor, highly decorated World War II veteran and 14-year National Memorial Day Concert participant Charles Durning will also be recognized for his bravery and sacrifice as part of the “greatest generation” who stepped forward in a time of need. And, the valor of our newest veterans will be honored as we examine the bonds that buddies form on the battlefields of Afghanistan.

Joining co-hosts Sinise and Mantegna is an all-star line-up of dignitaries, actors and musical artists including: multiple Grammy award-winning Motown legend Gladys Knight; classical crossover soprano and star of the stage Sarah Brightman; General Colin L. Powell USA (Ret.); Best Actress Tony Award-winner Idina Menzel (Wicked, Rent); actor and comedian Denis Leary (Rescue Me); distinguished actor Charles Durning; country music star Rodney Atkins; actor and singer John Schneider; actress Gail O’Grady (American Dreams, Boston Legal); film and television actress Caitlin Wachs; and violin virtuoso Robert McDuffie; in performance with the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of maestro Erich Kunzel, recipient of the 2006 National Medal of Arts. The U.S Joint Chiefs of Staff will also participate in the event along with The U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, The U.S. Army Ceremonial Band, The Soldiers Chorus of the U.S. Army Field Band, The Master Chorale of Washington, an Armed Forces Color Guard and Service Flags from each branch of the armed services provided by the Military District of Washington, D.C.

“I think all Americans have a moral obligation to honor the military, by taking a moment to pause and reflect on the bravery and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform, so that we can truly appreciate what they gave to preserve our freedoms,” said Joe Mantegna. Added co-host Gary Sinise, “Lending a hand to our country’s servicemen and women is truly one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. Knowing that they are not forgotten and that their sacrifice is appreciated can make a world of difference.”

“Besides the soldiers, families and friends are casualties of war too,” said concert executive producer Jerry Colbert. “We think of the agony of the mother or father who lost a child, the spouses and children left behind, the people who are wounded in body and soul. And, we create this concert as a memorial service to remember and reach out to them.”

The National Memorial Day Concert features uplifting musical performances, documentary footage and dramatic readings that honor all Americans who have served or made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. It is the nation’s premier Memorial event, using the powerful medium of television to reach out to millions and it provides an outlet for loved ones to remember, grieve and begin to heal.

Co-hosts Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise have a very personal connection to the troops and veterans who have served our country. Both Mantegna and Sinise have several relatives and friends who served in Vietnam and World War II. In 2004, Mantegna was named Chairperson for the National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans by the Department of Veterans Affairs while Sinise is a regular on the USO tour circuit performing for troops with his Lt. Dan Band. Over the past four years, Sinise has traveled to Iraq three times and Afghanistan in support of the troops. He has also started the “Operation Iraqi Children” project which collects supplies for the children of Iraq and he also serves as spokesperson for the Disabled Veterans for Life Memorial Foundation (ADVLM), which is building a memorial for America’s 3 million living disabled military veterans.

For the 2008 event, Colbert has assembled an award-winning production team that features the top Hollywood talent behind some of television’s most prestigious entertainment awards shows. The team includes: Emmy award-winning producer Walter C. Miller, America’s leading director and producer of live programs including the Grammy Awards and Country Music Awards; award-winning director Paul Miller whose credits include The Country Music Awards and Saturday Night Live; and veteran television writer Joan Meyerson who was honored with a distinguished Writer’s Guild Award for the 2006 National Memorial Day Concert. The program is a co-production of Jerry Colbert of Capital Concerts and WETA, Washington, D.C.

A companion Web Site at http://www.pbs.org/memorialdayconcert will feature a comprehensive viewer’s guide to the 2008 concert and a special remembrance area where veterans and their families can send eulogies for their loved ones and friends to be delivered to the national memorials in Washington, D.C.

For over 25 years, Capital Concerts has produced the two major patriotic events at the U.S. Capitol. In 1981, executive producer Jerry Colbert presented the first PBS Fourth of July concert with the National Symphony Orchestra and guest artists performing live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. In 1990, he introduced the National Memorial Day Concert. Since then, both holiday specials have been honored with over 55 awards including the New York Film Festival Award, the Telly Award, the Golden Cine Award, the Videographer Award, the National Education Association Award, the Aurora Award, the Christopher Award, the Communicator’s Award, the AXIEM Award, the Omni Award and the Writer’s Guild of America Award.

The National Memorial Day Concert is made possible by grants from The Boeing Company, Disabled American Veterans and Golden Corral Restaurants, the National Park Service, the Department of the Army, the National Endowment for the Arts, PBS and public television stations nationwide. Air travel is provided by American Airlines.

Gary Among 2008 Ellis Island Medal of Honor Recipients

Deb K — Sat, 10 May 2008 20:51:10 +0000

Gary will receive one of the 2008 Ellis Island Medal of Honor awards given by the National Ethnic Coalition (NECO) this evening in New York City. This award is presented to ”outstanding Americans who have distinguished themselves as citizens of the United States and have enabled their ancestry groups to maintain their identities while becoming integral parts of American life.”

The annual award ceremony takes place at Ellis Island and is followed by a gala reception in Ellis Island’s Great Hall. Fireworks in New York Harbor will cap off the evening.

Read more about the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and past recipients here. A list of the 2008 recipients is available here.

Read more about Gary (including comments and a nice CSI NY photo) in an article by Richard Huff in today’s Daily News.

Gary Narrating Discovery NASA Series

Deb K — Thu, 01 May 2008 14:54:39 +0000

Variety reports that Gary will narrate Discovery Channel’s six-hour miniseries ”When We Left Earth: The NASA Missions.” (Some of you may recall that Gary previously narrated ”Inside the Space Shuttle” for Discovery in 1998.)

This special series marks NASA’s 50th anniversary. John Ford, Discovery Channel’s prexy general manager, is quoted in the Variety piece: “The story of NASA is really America’s story — people coming together with grit, audaciousness and determination. Gary’s stirring but straightforward narration conveys that perfectly.”

“When We Left Earth: The NASA Missions” airs Sunday, June 8, at 9 p.m. and continues over the following two Sundays (June 15 and 22).

Steppenwolf 2008 Golf Classic

Lynn — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 17:06:37 +0000

Intrepid sinisefan Glenda attended last weekend’s Steppenwolf Golf Classic in the desert, and sent in some pictures to share:

Gary and Glenda!

A couple more after the jump…

With Gary’s dad, Bob Sinise, and his uncle Jack.

With actor Joe Mantegna.

Thanks as always to Glenda for sharing! The rest of us will try not to be too jealous…

Quick CSI:NY Update

Lynn — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 18:04:49 +0000

It’s been rather quiet in the wake of the writer’s strike, but now that it’s over, you can look forward to CSI:NY returning to your screens for new episodes. The Futon Critic reports that seven new episodes will air this spring, starting on April 2. CBS has already renewed the show for season 5, which will start in the fall.

TV Guide has reported that Jessalyn Gilsig (Nip/Tuck, Boston Public, Heroes) will be joining the cast for three episodes as a new love interest for Gary’s character, Mac Taylor.

New Gary Interview with Video

Deb K — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 13:51:30 +0000

The Rapid City Journal published a feature with Gary on Friday - print interview, photo and a (4 min) video segment.

Find it here.

Gary and the band were in town to perform at Ellsworth AFB.

KEVN Black Hills Fox News has a short segment with Gary and Lt Dan Band concert clip here.