Jeff Daniels and the Ben Daniels Band proved entertaining in concert May 18 at the Diana Wortham Theatre in downtown Asheville.

Daniels, well-known as an actor, also showed his skills as an accomplished musician and vocalist as well as his masterful songwriting ability that has spanned more than 30 years. More than 400 people attended, according to the show’s sponsors.

Daniels won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in HBO’s “The Newroom.” He was a co-star in the comedic film “Dumb and Dumber,” for which the sequel, “Dumb and Dumber To,” is set for release in November.

Highlights of the roughly 90-minute concert, which included two sets, were renditions of his smashingly humorous original “Let’s Take Our Pants Off and Relax,” Motown’s “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” and as a finale, a moving duet with his son Ben about their relationship as he was growing up.

Daniels’ musical style exhibits originality, spanning Americana, blues, jazz and rock. He has written more than 400 songs.

Daniels had invited his son’s band to perform with him on his current tour, blending his style with that of the group. Besides Ben, rhythm guitar and vocals, the band includes Tommy Reifel, bass; George Merkel, lead guitar; Wesley Fritzemeier, drums and mandolin; and Amanda Merte, backup vocals.

Among the many memorable moments in the concert were the performance two originals: “Go, Henry David,” a knockoff of “Johnny B. Goode” — at least on the chorus, and “Mr. Funny In A World Of Sad,” a moving and funny song, which was a tribute to David Letterman’s recent departure from CBS’s “The Late Show With David Letterman,” after more than 33 years and 6,000 shows in late-night TV. Daniels had the audience laughing as he introduced the tribute song, noting that he often was intimate with his wife, as the show played on his TV.

“Thanks for all of the good times the three of us had,” he joked, as the crowd cheered. He also deadpanned: “We loved making love to your top 10 list.

Daniels also had the crowd laughing to his “Crazy Right Now 50 Shades of Grey,” a playful take-off on the book trilogy and film.