The Bacon Brothers need validation.
"We have something to prove," said Michael Bacon, 47.
No, musician Michael, and his brother, actor Kevin Bacon, don't need witnesses to hide in a closet to verify carnal conquests, like Kevin's character Fenwick in "Diner," which was set in Baltimore.
What they do need, at the peak of hot young-actor-cum-rock-star careers (Keanu Reeves, anyone?) is for people not to pre-suppose the "movie-star vanity trip."
"You may not dig our music, but you can't say someone's packaging us, putting nice clothes on us and shooting a video," the 38-year-old actor said. "People don't like crossover."
Kevin and Michael, whose band is performing tonight in Washington, have existed as the Bacon Brothers since 1994. But they have been playing music together for more than 20 years. That translates into vintage tapes recorded before Kevin's step into manhood.
"We were figuring Kevin would be the next Michael Jackson," said Michael Bacon, an award-winning composer who has wet (( his feet in many areas of the music industry. Michael, who plays guitar and cello in the band, labels the Bacon Brothers' music as "soforoco," (a mix of soul, folk, rock and country) with splashes of James Taylor and Sam Cooke.
The brothers didn't embark on such arts-oriented careers without some background. Their mother played the mandolin and encouraged dance, music and other lessons. The children learned to relate through culture.
"Whenever the family gets together, it always ends with singing," said Baltimore resident Elinor Bacon, who is Michael and Kevin's sister.
Elinor, who owns a local real estate development company, put Kevin up in Baltimore while he was filming "Diner" and had a blast watching the movie being shot.
Kevin recalls Fells Point before it became the mod meat market it is today and has fond memories of Baltimore's Own chocolate pTC pizza. Kevin also starred in "He Said, She Said," another film set in Baltimore; more specifically, at The Sun.
Kevin is the youngest of six siblings whose careers range from the arts to mental health to urban development. The Bacons somehow escaped the National Enquirer dimension of infidelity, abuse and discord in show-biz clans. They see each other as often as possible, and Elinor is often puzzled by questions about dealing with a famous brother.
"People always ask, 'Do you ever see him?' " Elinor said. "It's not an issue. He's my little brother."
