2 minute read
Alumnus on the Road with Lt. Dan Band
By Ariana Ramos
Mitchell Paliga (BME 85) is the saxophonist for the Lt. Dan Band, led by actor Gary Sinise. Gary starred as Lt. Dan in the Academy Award winner for best picture “Forrest Gump.” The movie stars Tom Hanks and Gary Sinise, whose characters meet after Forrest, played by Tom Hanks, enlists in the United States Army and Forrest befriends Lt. Dan, saving him from a platoon ambush. The Lt. Dan band, named after Sinise’s character, has performed all over Europe and in almost every state in the United States including Alaska and Hawaii.
In 2007, Mitchell was hired to play seven performances with the Lt. Dan Band. He didn’t realize he was auditioning for a saxophonist position. After the second performance, Gary hired Mitchell. Mitchell said, “It has felt like a family ever since.” Mitchell discovered in high school what he aspired to do. “I had a vague idea of touring in a band ... and it finally happened, and it’s been great.”
ENMU recruited Mitchell out of a small town in Montana. He grew fond of ENMU’s Department of Music and made Portales his home during the early to mid-1980s. Mitchell says that ENMU gave him the solid foundation he needed for his music career. “It would be nice to return to campus one day to check out the renovations to Buchanan Hall,” says Mitchell.
In addition to performing, Mitchell teaches at two colleges in Illinois whenever he is not on the road with the band. “It all works together; teaching actually makes me a better saxophone player.”
