March 18, 2024
Meghan O'Toole
Mitch Paliga contributes to Mac Sinise's final record
Last November, Director of the Jazz Ensemble Mitch Paliga joined his Lt. Dan Band mates at the legendary Blackbird Studios in Nashville for a bittersweet recording session. The band contributed to Mac Sinise's upcoming and final recording, Mac Sinise: Resurrection and Revival.
The Lt. Dan Band is a rock and roll band led by actor and musician Gary Sinise, who played Lieutenant Dan in the movie Forrest Gump. Sinise's son Mac was diagnosed with Chordoma, a rare form of cancer, in 2018. He passed on January 5, 2024 at the age of 33.
According to Paliga, Mac set out to document his music with the possibility that it could be his last record. The album is a collection of original and folk songs. The album's front and back cover were designed by Mac, while the interior of the album features photos Mac had on his phone and computer.
Having grown up around the Lt. Dan Band, occasionally featured on drums at concerts, Mac asked his father if each band member would be willing to participate in the recording.
"I was so grateful that he came and asked us all to do something," Paliga, a senior lecturer in music, said. "It means a lot because we've known of his illness since July of 2018. I didn't know Mac really well, but as a band we're a pretty tight group of people. I knew Mac when he went to college and when he was in high school. He'd hang out with us and play music with us while he was learning."
Paliga, a saxophonist, has been part of the Lt. Dan Band since 2007. For him, being even a small part of the recording was an honor.
"Mac told us he was bedridden and watching all these nature programs, which inspired some of his original songs," Paliga explained. "He also included Red River Valley and Shenandoah folk tunes. He recorded an Irish lullaby, which was very special because his mom used to sing that to him and his sisters when they were young, and her mom used to sing it to her. It's this family history of music. I think he was trying to document his life and what he did in music although he couldn't play drums anymore."
Paliga described the recording session as uplifting, but with a prevalent sadness. "I haven't heard the whole thing, but the whole day was great to see him, but it was also very sad," he said. "The emotions are still pretty strong. I am extremely happy and gratified I got to be in a small part of it and see him again."
Mac Sinise: Resurrection and Revival is available for preorder. The record will be released later this year.
Gary Sinise and Mitch Paliga performing