UA Music Instructor to Perform for Military in Afghanistan with Actor Gary Sinise’s Band

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Thanksgiving will be a little different this year for Beth Gottlieb, a percussion instructor in The University of Alabama’s School of Music.

Instead of eating turkey with her family, she and other members of a 12-piece band, led by actor Gary Sinise, will be entertaining hundreds of military troops in Afghanistan.

“It still hasn’t hit me that I’m going,” Gottlieb said. “It’s kind of scary, but it’s kind of exciting, too.”

Gottlieb plays percussion in the Lt. Dan Band, which draws its name from the character Sinise portrayed in the movie “Forrest Gump.” She and her husband, drummer Danny Gottlieb, joined the group in 2005 after first meeting Sinise while performing in the orchestra at Walt Disney World’s Epcot Candlelight Processional.

The band has performed dozens of concerts for military troops in the United States and overseas as part of tours arranged through the USO and Armed Forces Entertainment.

Gottlieb, a 1983 graduate of UA, said this real world experience lends itself to the classroom.

“You really need to be out there performing and doing what we do to be able to be a good teacher,” she said. “Every time I’m out there playing, I can bring back what I learned to my students.”

The Lt. Dan Band is a high-energy cover band that plays everything from rock and funk to jazz and country, Gottlieb said. She described Sinise, who plays bass and is a fervent supporter of American troops, as “the Bob Hope of today.”

Col. Ed Shock, chief of Armed Forces Entertainment, said Sinise has traveled and toured overseas with the USO/Armed Forces Entertainment every year since Sept. 11, 2001.

“Our troops love him and his band, and the American spirit they bring when they perform,” he said in a statement.

Before returning to UA in August, Gottlieb taught at Rollins College near Orlando, Fla. She said she was excited when she found out she would be returning to her alma mater to teach.

“I’m definitely coming back full circle,” she said. “It’s a good year to come back, too, with the football team being so good.”

Gottlieb’s two sons also attend the University. Junior Scott Radock is section leader for UA’s Million Dollar Band drumline, and Brian Radock is a graduate student assistant who helps the marching band’s front ensemble.

Dr. Kenneth Ozzello, director of bands and a professor in UA’s School of Music, said Gottlieb’s credentials are impressive.

“She’s fantastic, and she’s really energized our students,” he said. “The fact that she’s an alumnus of the program makes it even more special.”

Gottlieb leaves Nov. 20 for Afghanistan. The band’s full crew – 12 members, two managers and two sound technicians – will fly there on a military plane and be accompanied by bodyguards the whole time.

“I think this will be really cool for these troops who are there for Thanksgiving,” Gottlieb said. “I’m going to try and take them some presents, just to give them a slice of home.”

The School of Music is part of UA’s College of Arts and Sciences, the University’s largest division and the largest liberal arts college in the state. Students from the College have won numerous national awards including Rhodes Scholarships, Goldwater Scholarships and memberships on the USA Today Academic All American Team.