An Unexpected Discovery Inspired ‘Part Two’ of Gary Sinise’s Late Son’s Music

Published: December 3, 2024

An Unexpected Discovery Inspired ‘Part Two’ of Gary Sinise’s Late Son’s Music

By Movieguide® Contributor

Gary Sinise is sharing the behind-the-scenes story of the production of his late son, Mac’s, music.

Mac passed away from a rare form of cancer earlier this year.

“Friends, I’m eager to share with you this very special episode of the Gary Sinise Foundation Podcast. In this episode, I sit down with Cristin and producer/arranger Oliver Schnee to discuss the new album Mac Sinise Resurrection and Revival: Part 2,” Sinise wrote on his social media.

“This project is very special to me in so many ways as it is comprised of music written by my late son, Mac,” he continued. “To everyone who helped bring this album to life, preordered a copy, and supported Mac’s music, thank you.”

In the episode, Schnee, a composer and an old college friend of Mac’s, described how he reached out to him, not expecting a response. But when he picked up, Schnee invited Mac to his recording studio to talk.

“I remember saying, you know, obviously, ‘This is heartbreaking to hear, Mac,'” Schnee recalled. “‘I can’t take your cancer away, but what I can do is sit by your side and just be your friend and listen to music, talk about movies, talk about girls, make silly jokes.’ He said, ‘Buddy, that’s all I want and need from you,’ and I was touched by that.”

Soon, they were talking about music, something they were both passionate about.

“I said, ‘Well, speaking of music, what is your relationship with music like these days? Are you able to even listen to music, or is it a little too painful and triggering?’ He said, ‘No. In fact, I actually rediscovered this old tune that Gary had mentioned from years ago, and I’m trying to finish it, but it needs a lot of work. Do you want to hear it?’ I jumped at that,” Schnee said.

The two began working on a project together that would become “Resurrection & Revival Part One.”

“It was this wild mixture of his body failing, but mentally, creatively, [and] spiritually he’s still going, and there’s still a lot of music inside him that wants to come out and that needs to come out,” Schnee shared.

Following Mac’s death, his dad discovered more music he never shared.

“So, with the discovery of so much more music I had a thought. I reached out to his producing partner on Resurrection & Revival, his pal Oliver Schnee, with an idea for another ‘Mac Music Project.'” Sinise shared in a blog post. “I played a lot of the music for Oliver. He loved it and was immediately on board to work on a second album, Resurrection & Revival: Part Two.”

“Mac Sinise Resurrection & Revival: Part 2” is now available. All proceeds go to Sinise’s veterans advocacy organization, the Gary Sinise Foundation.