One son of ‘NCIS’ star David McCallum has some professional guitar chops working as a studio musician with some big names in music.
McCallum has worked with Lucinda Williams, the Greg Allman Band, Elvis Costello, and Jackson Browne.
Valentine “Val” McCallum was born in 1963 and grew up in Beverly Hills. On his band’s website, Val McCallum said his dad bought him a guitar in a thrifty drug store in 1970.
Work With Jackson Browne
The 58-year-old McCallum has toured and collaborated with Jackson Browne. Recently, he’s played electric guitar on Browne’s newest album, called “Downhill from Everywhere.” The 10-track release came out in July.
Browne, who tested positive for COVID-19 in March 2020, started crafting songs for “Downhill from Everywhere.” The new stuff marks his first original album in several years.
Another Notable Connection
The band website notes another family connection to music greatness besides ‘NCIS’ star McCallum.
Paul McCallum was part of The McCallum Brothers band that played at Walton High School once in 1971. Members of the Jackson Five attended that concert that day.
The website notes that Michael Jackson set up chairs with Val that day.
While Michael Jackson went on to success with his brothers and later solo work, Val McCallum played with many LA bands. He even worked with Harry Nilsson in the 1980s.
Famous ‘NCIS’ Dad and Musician Grandfather
Val’s dad, David, has worked in movies and television for 74 years, most recently in “NCIS.” In the show, David McCallum plays Donald Mallard, the former Official Medical Examiner for the team.
David McCallum has worked in TV shows “The Man From UNCLE,” “Murder, She Wrote,” and “The Great Escape.” As a musician, McCallum released four albums with Capitol Records.
“NCIS” star David McCallum’s parents were musicians with his father.
David McCallum Sr. grew up to be a violinist. He also had music and acting jobs with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Schottish National Orchestra during the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s.
In 1967, McCallum Sr. also performed with a group of musicians on the Beatles’ track “A Day in the Life.”
‘NCIS’ Star’s Son Side Projects
One of McCallum’s side projects is the band, “Jacks**t.” According to the band’s website, the group formed Vonda Shepard’s backing band on Ally McBeal’s Fox TV series. The show aired from 1997 to 2002.
McCallum also released solo projects (2009’s “Chateauguay” and 2012’s “At the End of the Day”).
In March, Val McCallum talked about his connection with a Vermont musician while working on one recent solo project.
“We hit a magical thing between the three of us,” McCallum said.
McCallum said that he went into his studio every day and wrote songs with Bow Thayer to stay sane. With the record’s completion, McCallum said he was already missing the groove the musicians got into to make it happen.
McCallum said that he went into his studio every day and wrote songs with Bow Thayer to stay sane. With the completion of the record, McCallum said he was already missing the groove the musicians got into to make it happen.
