Dennis Quaid Takes to the Chicago Stage for a One-Night-Only Concert This Friday
Video: Dennis Quaid speaks with WTTW News reporter Angel Idowu about his upcoming Chicago concert. (WTTW News)
Over the course of his career, Dennis Quaid has been known as a film star, acting in everything from “The Parent Trap” to “The Right Stuff.”
Now, he’s taking to the stage for a special one-night-only concert happening Friday, July 19 at the Athenaeum Center, 2936 N. Southport Ave.
“I guarantee everyone a good money-back guarantee good time,” Quaid said with a grin.
This concert will showcase his wide skillset as he performs an eclectic mix of music, including some from his 2023 album, “Fallen: A Gospel Record for Sinners.”
“I’m going to do some of the songs from my gospel record, but I’m also going to do songs that I grew up with in life and they range from like rock and roll to country to Johnny Cash to Frank Sinatra,” Quaid said. “We’re all over the board.”
Like acting, Quaid says music has always been a focal point in his creative process.
“I’ve had maybe a kind of quieter life in music, but it’s always been a part of me,” he said.
Quaid says his music influences started young, “My grandfather bought me my first guitar when I was 12 at Western Auto, where they make fine guitars at $14. But I grew up in Houston which is a very eclectic place for music actually and it always has been.”
WTTW News also spoke with Quaid about his new movie “Reagan,” where he stars as former President Ronald Reagan releasing Aug. 30.
When asked about how he prepared for the role, Quaid said he didn’t say yes to the project initially because he didn’t want to do an “impression”.
“At the core, I wanted to figure out how he was as a person,” Quaid said.
“As an actor it’s what makes people tick, that’s what I’m fascinated by,” he said. “So, I went to the Reagan Ranch. I talked to a lot of people that knew him personally and they said he was a very private person. After time at the ranch I realized he was also a very humble person.
“It took a long time to create this movie, so I think i learned a lot about patience, and also living by my own principles,” Quaid said.
For more information about the concert, visit athenaeumcenter.org.
Follow Angel Idowu on Twitter: @angelidowu3
Angel Idowu is the JCS Fund of the DuPage Foundation Arts Correspondent.
