Ben Harper and Blind Boys Win Grammys for There Will Be A Light

Ben Harper and Blind Boys Win Grammys for There Will Be A Light

Jermaine Dupri's Productions and Co-Written Songs Draw Two of Usher's Three Grammys

NEW YORK, Feb. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Virgin Records recording artist Ben Harper won two Grammy Awards in the 47th annual ceremonies held in Los Angeles on Sunday night.

Virgin Records Chairman and CEO Matt Serletic commented: "It's always a special occasion when recognition comes from the music industry's foremost institution, the Grammys. But each and every day, we find pride and purpose in the innovative and enduring music that Virgin artists create. Our entire staff feels privileged to help bring great music such as Ben's to the world."

Ben Harper and the Blind Boys of Alabama's collaboration, There Will Be a Light, was named best traditional soul gospel album. Harper also won his first solo Grammy in the pop instrumental performance category for the stately guitar piece "11th Commandment." Serletic said: "With this album, Ben Harper and the Blind Boys have done so much more than create an award winner. There Will Be a Light speaks to the deepest and purest part of our humanity. Its worldwide impact has proven again that music conveys our most universal truths, across every line of language and nationality."

A live DVD, Ben Harper and the Blind Boys of Alabama Live at the Apollo, will be released on March 29, 2005, documenting a one-night-only SRO performance of the entire There Will Be a Light album. The show was produced last October at Harlem's legendary Apollo Theater, with backing by Harper's band, the Innocent Criminals, and features electrifying performances of "Church House Steps" and "Satisfied Mind."

Serletic added: "We are proud to congratulate Virgin's newly-appointed President of Urban Music, Jermaine Dupri, on the Grammy recognition of his extensive production and engineering work on Usher's Confessions, Grammy's best contemporary R&B album of 2004. We also acknowledge his production, engineering and songwriting contribution to 'My Boo,' the Grammy winner for R&B duo/group vocal performance, by Usher and Alicia Keys. It's a most auspicious moment to mark Jermaine's arrival at Virgin."


Source: Virgin Records

CONTACT: Patti Conte, +1-212-786-8350, patti.conte@virgin-records.com,
or Tracy Zamot, +1-212-786-8370, tracy.zamot@virgin-records.com, both of
Virgin Records

Web site: http://www.virginrecords.com/


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