Actor, Musician, Proud Father

Current
By David Yonke

Jeff Daniels is practically our Toledo neighbor. The Hollywood star doesn’t live in Beverly Hills, but in Chelsea, Michigan, a small town about an hour north of here.

When I saw the news that he was playing a concert with his son, Ben, at The Ark in Ann Arbor, I bought tickets not knowing anything about the actor’s music. I just assumed it would be a memorable evening. After all, Daniels has entertained millions of folks playing roles as diverse as the urbane and cynical newscaster Will McAvoy on The Newsroom and lovable stooge Harry Dunne in Dumb and Dumber (plus the upcoming sequel—more about that later).

I imagined that on stage with a guitar and a microphone, backed by his son’s band, Daniels could easily skate through the night strumming a few chords and telling amusing stories.

So I thought.

I apologize for my ignorance, Mr. Daniels.

Yes, he told a number of very amusing stories and interjected many hilarious comments between songs on Sunday night (August 17), but Jeff Daniels is definitely a talented musician in his own right.

The guy can finger-pick a nimble lead on guitar. He can growl a blues vocal or croon a gentle ballad. He writes songs that are funny, poignant, melodic and catchy. E.g., Daniels is a legit musician, unlike many celebrities who use their fame to prop up their mediocre hobbies.

I’d describe his style as similar to wordsmith-folkies like Mose Allison, Lyle Lovett, and John Prine.

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