Danny Gans being sued by his former keyboard player

Jace Radke and Kate Maddox

Thursday, May 25, 2000 | 10:36 a.m.

Mirage hotel-casino entertainer Danny Gans' company and his manager are being sued by a former member of the impressionist's band.

The 19-page suit filed Tuesday by Patrick Caddick alleges copyright infringement, breach of contract and intentional interference with a contract among other charges against DG Entertainment Inc., Gans' manager Chip Lightman and Roe Corporations.

Caddick was Gans' keyboard player, but also says he is responsible for much of the composition and arrangement of the music in the show at the Danny Gans Theater in the Mirage hotel-casino, according to the suit.

Among the songs that Caddick says he wrote and was not compensated for are "Dad's Song," "The River Flows," "Carnival of Venice Beach," "Actors Theme" and "Rat Pack Theme."

Caddick was hired by Gans in February of 1993 and stayed with him through his time preforming at the Stratosphere and Rio hotel-casinos.

According to the suit, Caddick was terminated by DG Entertainment through Lightman when Caddick would not sign a "complete waiver of rights agreement."

The suit alleges that Lightman told Caddick that the agreement was standard in the entertainment industry, was non-negotiable and was required by Mirage Resorts.

The agreement also allegedly sought to get Caddick to state that he never owned any of the music in the show, and that if he did, by the agreement he was transferring ownership to DG Entertainment.

It also sought to get Caddick to agree to maintain strict confidentiality and not disclose any information regarding Gans, including his health, voice, trade secrets, lifestyle or financial matters.

When reached for comment Lightman said that he hadn't received a copy of the suit and that it "really doesn't warrant a response."

Caddick did not return a phone call to his office for comment Wednesday afternoon.

Gans could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

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