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Epoch Times
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Epoch Times
Gary Sinise Opens Up About Leaving Hollywood, Son's Legacy, and His Mission to Serve Veterans
Gary Sinise, known for playing Lieutenant Dan in 'Forrest Gump,' shifted his focus from Hollywood to family and service almost exclusively following his son's cancer diagnosis six years ago. In a recent EpochTV 'American Thought Leaders' Stepping Away From Acting to Focus on Family Sinise's decision to step away from acting was driven by personal hardship. In late 2019, as his son Mac's health declined due to a rare spinal cancer, Sinise wrapped up his last acting jobs, including roles in 'Joe Bell,' 'I Still Believe,' and the series '13 Reasons Why.' 'Leaving home was getting harder and harder as Mac was getting more and more challenged with things,' Sinise said. By December 2019, he finished his acting commitments and began focusing entirely on his family and the Gary Sinise Foundation. Mac, a talented musician and foundation staffer, battled chordoma for nearly six years. Despite his condition, he completed an album, 'Resurrection & Revival,' in 2023. 'He celebrated his 33rd birthday in the recording studio, recording an album in 2023 that he envisioned doing, and he was very disabled by this awful, rare cancer that took his life,' Sinise said. Mac's music continues to support the foundation's mission, with proceeds from album sales benefiting veterans and first responders. Sinise's wife, Moira, also faced health challenges, undergoing multiple surgeries for stage 3 breast cancer. 'A month before Mac was diagnosed with cancer, she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. That was a hard summer—the 2018 summer. I had two cancer patients, you know, to care for, and that was tough,' Sinise recalled. Related Stories 11/15/2024 11/16/2020 Moira is now cancer-free, but the experience deepened Sinise's resolve to prioritize family and service. A Life of Service Inspired by Family and History Sinise's commitment to veterans began decades before his Hollywood fame. Influenced by Vietnam veterans in his wife's family and his own relatives who served in earlier wars, Sinise became aware of the challenges faced by veterans returning home. 'I started to feel very guilty and badly for what happened to them, you know, when they served in Vietnam and came home. So I wanted to try to do something back in the early 80s and in Chicago,' Sinise said. This led to his involvement in the play 'Tracers,' written and performed by Vietnam veterans. The experience opened his eyes to the struggles of veterans and inspired his ongoing support. Playing Lieutenant Dan in 'Forrest Gump' further deepened his connection to the veteran community. 'There's no question it played a greater role in my life than just a part in a movie,' he said. 'I very much wanted to honor our Vietnam veterans by doing a good job, you know, just playing a Vietnam veteran and in a way that they would feel was honorable and true and truthful.' The Gary Sinise Foundation: Supporting Veterans and First Responders Founded in 2011, the Gary Sinise Foundation supports veterans, first responders, and their families through a range of programs. 'We are here to support all those who serve and defend us on the military side—our veterans, our families that serve alongside them, our first responders, the families that serve alongside them, families of our fallen heroes and first responders—we have a role to play in supporting there,' Sinise said. Key initiatives include: Lieutenant Dan Band: Sinise's band has performed nearly 600 free concerts at military bases and hospitals worldwide over the last 20 years. RISE Program: Builds specially adapted smart homes for severely wounded veterans. 'We just gave away our 95th house since I've been involved in this,' Sinise said. First Responder Outreach: Provides support for first responders, including vehicles for those in need and memorials like the Brooklyn Wall of Remembrance, honoring those lost on Sept. 11. Snowball Express: Brings children and surviving spouses of fallen military and first responder heroes to Disney World for healing and community. 'Every year, we take over 1,000 kids and the surviving spouse of military heroes to Disney World,' Sinise said. 'And then a couple of years ago, we started adding families of fallen first responders.' A Philosophy of Service and Healing Sinise believes that service is a powerful way to heal personal pain and strengthen communities. 'Service. I always say this is a great healer for a broken heart, and it helped me a lot through our fight for our son and the difficulties and the challenges of fighting for him and then losing him,' he said, adding that he didn't stop doing service work during that time. 'It was the thing that was helping me with our own battle at home,' he said. From NTD News
Scottish Sun
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
All-day inner-city festival returns in just days including four stages, 30 DJs and a stacked lineup
LOVE IT All-day inner-city festival returns in just days including four stages, 30 DJs and a stacked lineup Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LOVE to be… returns to Sheffield in style on Bank Holiday Sunday, 25 May with an all-day inner-city festival at FORGE, taking over the warehouse, courtyard, and even the streets of Effingham Road. With four stages, over 30 DJs, and a lineup stacked with house royalty including Sam Divine, Todd Terry, Barbara Tucker, The Shapeshifters, and Alison Limerick, it's set to be a huge celebration of house music culture. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 2 Victor Simonelli will be spinning some discs Credit: Supplied At the heart of it all is the Music Factory Stage, a nod to Love to be…'s original 90s home, where New York house legend Victor Simonelli will deliver a special set packed with soulful energy and deep grooves alongside Alison Limerick performing the hit single 'Where Love Lives', Gatecrasher resident Allister Whitehead, Hacienda legend Tom Wainwright, Love to be… founder Tony Walker and many more. This is a rewind in time to the glory days of 90s house music. To mark the occasion, Victor Simonelli has curated a playlist titled 'Some of NY's Finest Favorites', showcasing highlights from his extensive label catalogue. He told us: "It would be more fluid for me doing a chart of some of my favorite releases from my own labels... "Besides myself, these labels include releases from many well-known artists and producers. So something like, 'Some of NY's Finest Favorites'.' From timeless vocal collaborations to fresh cuts from new artists (including his son), the playlist is a true celebration of NYC house heritage with Simonelli's signature touch. Take a dive into Victor's selections below, read what he had to say about the music and get a taste of what's to come when he brings the Big Apple to Sheffield this weekend. 2 His playlist will be a true celebration of NYC house Credit: Supplied Groove Committee Feat. Marcie Allen - I Still Believe [Bassline Records] Marcie Allen - the singer on this - and I have been friends since the 80s. Before She and I met, she was in the group Aquarian Dream and worked with Patrick Adams and many others. We have made numerous tunes together including "All Over Me" by Underground Circuit (sampled by Jr Vasquez for "Dream Drums"), "You Need Someone" by Groove Committee, amongst others. This is our latest release together and will also be included on her upcoming album that we are putting together. Soul Magic & Ebony Soul Feat. Ann Nesby - Get Your Thing Together (Odyssey Inc. Remix) [Bassline Records] I wrote this with Lenny D in 1989, and originally recorded it with Martha Wash. That version was never released, but a version with Roberta Gilliam was in around 1990. Fast Forward to approx. 2008, and I recorded a version with Ann Nesby, who added some additional writing to it too. Various mixes have been done on it since, and this is the latest - a new release. NY's Finest, D Train - Stand Up For Your Love (Victor Simonelli Mix) [Bassline Records] It was a Dream for me do a tune with D Train, and this is it. Here is my Original mix of it, released this year. Northbound – A Better Way Feat. Mone (Jazz N Groove Vocal Club Mix) [Bassline Records] This is the first release by Mone. I had met Brian Tappert, one of the owners of Traxsource, and Roy Grant, who later became known as Jazz N Groove, at Winter Music Conference in 1992. At the time, they had not produced or released much. I asked them to send demos when they were ready, and they did. I had started Bassline records around that time, and this was amongst the first releases I assisted them with. We released numerous works of theirs leading up to 1995 and Brian then started Soulfuric Recordings with Marc Pomeroy. Ebony Soul - I Can Hardly Wait (Victor Simonelli Mix) [Unkwn Rec] Released in 1992 initially on Eightball Records, this is a release that is often requested, and another one of my Pseudonyms. There's been an anniversary release of this just recently released with original and various mixes on one of my own labels, Unkwn Rec's. Blind Truth feat Tata & Toney - Why Can't We See (Odyssey Inc. Feat Louis Latino Remix) [Unkwn Rec] Arthur Baker and I originally created this tune together in 1991. I am guessing it sets the record for the tune with most remixes and reworks, ever, with approximately 200 or so, to date. This is the latest remix of this treasure by Odyssey Inc. Brooklyn's Most Wanted - Just A Touch Away [Good Groove Records] Produced by my eldest son, Immanuele Simonelli, and on his label Good Groove Rec's, I assisted him with mixing and arranging this. Setting dancefloors on fire. Sound Of One - I Know A Place (Neapolitan Soul Remix) [Unkwn Rec] Originally released in 1993 and often imitated, here is the latest remix by Neapolitan Soul. Available on Traxsource by another one of my many Pseudonyms, so new there is no Youtube link yet! Serena May - Tell Me Is This Love (Victor Simonelli Mix) [Bassline Records] Serena May is a young new artist and a great songwriter, working with her Dad and Mom on her own tunes. She is from the UK and when her Mom presented me with a downtempo version of this song, I said I would like to remix it. This it the result - just released on Bassline Records. Interaction - Move To The Beat (Deep Dub) [Vendetta Records] One of my first solely produced releases, made in 1988 and released in 1989. This Dub version still works.
The Irish Sun
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
All-day inner-city festival returns in just days including four stages, 30 DJs and a stacked lineup
LOVE to be… returns to Sheffield in style on Bank Holiday Sunday, 25 May with an all-day inner-city festival at FORGE, taking over the warehouse, courtyard, and even the streets of Effingham Road. With four stages, over 30 DJs, and a lineup stacked with house royalty including Sam Divine, Todd Terry, Barbara Tucker, The Shapeshifters, and Alison Limerick, it's set to be a huge celebration of house music culture. Advertisement 2 Victor Simonelli will be spinning some discs Credit: Supplied At the heart of it all is the Music Factory Stage, a nod to Love to be…'s original 90s home, where New York house legend Victor Simonelli will deliver a special set packed with soulful energy and deep grooves alongside Alison Limerick performing the hit single 'Where Love Lives', Gatecrasher resident Allister Whitehead, Hacienda legend Tom Wainwright, Love to be… founder Tony Walker and many more. This is a rewind in time to the glory days of 90s house music. To mark the occasion, Victor Simonelli has curated a playlist titled 'Some of NY's Finest Favorites', showcasing highlights from his extensive label catalogue. He told us: "It would be more fluid for me doing a chart of some of my favorite releases from my own labels... "Besides myself, these labels include releases from many well-known artists and producers. So something like, 'Some of NY's Finest Favorites'.' Advertisement From timeless vocal collaborations to fresh cuts from new artists (including his son), the playlist is a true celebration of NYC house heritage with Simonelli's signature touch. Take a dive into Victor's selections below, read what he had to say about the music and get a taste of what's to come when he brings the Big Apple to Sheffield this weekend. 2 His playlist will be a true celebration of NYC house Credit: Supplied Groove Committee Feat. Marcie Allen - I Still Believe [Bassline Records] Advertisement Marcie Allen - the singer on this - and I have been friends since the 80s. Before She and I met, she was in the group Aquarian Dream and worked with Patrick Adams and many others. Most read in Music We have made numerous tunes together including "All Over Me" by Underground Circuit (sampled by Jr Vasquez for "Dream Drums"), "You Need Someone" by Groove Committee, amongst others. This is our latest release together and will also be included on her upcoming album that we are putting together. Soul Magic & Ebony Soul Feat. Ann Nesby - Get Your Thing Together (Odyssey Inc. Remix) [Bassline Records] Advertisement I wrote this with Lenny D in 1989, and originally recorded it with Martha Wash. That version was never released, but a version with Roberta Gilliam was in around 1990. Fast Forward to approx. 2008, and I recorded a version with Ann Nesby, who added some additional writing to it too. Various mixes have been done on it since, and this is the latest - a new release. NY's Finest, D Train - Stand Up For Your Love (Victor Simonelli Mix) [Bassline Records] Advertisement It was a Dream for me do a tune with D Train, and this is it. Here is my Original mix of it, released this year. Northbound – A Better Way Feat. Mone (Jazz N Groove Vocal Club Mix) [Bassline Records] This is the first release by Mone. I had met Brian Tappert, one of the owners of Traxsource, and Roy Grant, who later became known as Jazz N Groove, at Winter Music Conference in 1992. At the time, they had not produced or released much. I asked them to send demos when they were ready, and they did. I had started Bassline records around that time, and this was amongst the first releases I assisted them with. We released numerous works of theirs leading up to 1995 and Brian then started Soulfuric Recordings with Marc Pomeroy. Advertisement Ebony Soul - I Can Hardly Wait (Victor Simonelli Mix) [Unkwn Rec] Released in 1992 initially on Eightball Records, this is a release that is often requested, and another one of my Pseudonyms. There's been an anniversary release of this just recently released with original and various mixes on one of my own labels, Unkwn Rec's. Blind Truth feat Tata & Toney - Why Can't We See (Odyssey Inc. Feat Louis Latino Remix) [Unkwn Rec] Arthur Baker and I originally created this tune together in 1991. I am guessing it sets the record for the tune with most remixes and reworks, ever, with approximately 200 or so, to date. This is the latest remix of this treasure by Odyssey Inc. Advertisement Brooklyn's Most Wanted - Just A Touch Away [Good Groove Records] Produced by my eldest son, Immanuele Simonelli, and on his label Good Groove Rec's, I assisted him with mixing and arranging this. Setting dancefloors on fire. Sound Of One - I Know A Place (Neapolitan Soul Remix) [Unkwn Rec] Originally released in 1993 and often imitated, here is the latest remix by Neapolitan Soul. Available on Traxsource by another one of my many Pseudonyms, so new there is no Youtube link yet! Advertisement Serena May - Tell Me Is This Love (Victor Simonelli Mix) [Bassline Records] Serena May is a young new artist and a great songwriter, working with her Dad and Mom on her own tunes. She is from the UK and when her Mom presented me with a downtempo version of this song, I said I would like to remix it. This it the result - just released on Bassline Records. Read more on the Irish Sun Interaction - Move To The Beat (Deep Dub) [Vendetta Records] One of my first solely produced releases, made in 1988 and released in 1989. This Dub version still works. Advertisement
