In a rare television performance, Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals have been confirmed to play the inaugural ESPN Action Sports & Music Awards, fueled by Mountain Dew, on April 7, 2001 (telecast April 10, 9 p.m. EST, ESPN) at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, it was announced today by ESPN's Ron Semiao, vice president, programming and managing director, Global X. The band is the first musical act to confirm playing at the show.

"Ben Harper is one of the most pure and soulful musical artists we have today. It is a huge honor that he has agreed to be part of this project with all of the athletes I know he loves to watch perform in their own right," said Kelly Slater, world surfing champion.

Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals will release a live double-CD entitled "Live From Mars" on Tuesday, March 27, one week before the ESPN Action Sports and Music Awards. The discs feature both electric and acoustic performances.

The well-traveled Ben Harper and his band, the Innocent Criminals, take on a wide range of music, from blues and rock to folk and soul. Their sound is at once hauntingly beautiful and ragingly intense. No matter what, each song, whether acoustic or electric, is filled with emotion. The new album contains songs that fans will be familiar with, but revamped with the energy of a live performance with songs like "Ground On Down" and "I'll Rise."

   Send to a friend  | Most sent  | Submit your photo or video