Jeff Daniels shows off his musical side at World Cafe Live

The Mercury
by Chris Cameron
January 1, 2015

21st Century Media Emmy-winning actor, Jeff Daniels is known for his roles in films such as the “Dumb and Dumber” series, “The Squid and The Whale,” and the HBO series “The Newsroom,” for which he won the Emmy.

Unlike some actors turned musicians, he’s actually good at it. More than a funny storyteller strumming a guitar, Daniels has written more than 400 songs and has six albums under his belt. At his best, his songwriting style reflects the nuances of Lyle Lovett or John Prine. He’s got the finger-pickin’ chops to wow an audience who might come to his show just to see the actor up close.

“Some people will buy tickets to my shows because they’re fans of ‘Newsroom’ or ‘Dumb and Dumber,’ but they quickly realize that they need to settle in and hear me sing for the next hour and a half,” Daniels said.

What started as a side project playing concerts to support the Purple Rose Theatre that he founded in his hometown of Chelsea, Michigan, evolved into a second career. He has played more than 300 shows during the past 12 years and his latest album, “Days Like These,” is his strongest release. He recorded the album during the summer and left the production to his friend, Brad Phillips, and the mixing in the hands of his son, Ben Daniels.

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