Ben Harper & The Blind Boys of Alabama are multiple Grammy Nominees for 'There Will Be a Light'

NEW YORK (Virgin Records/ www.virginrecords.com) - Virgin Records recording artist Ben Harper received his first three Grammy nominations, for his collaboration with gospel legends The Blind Boys of Alabama, There Will Be a Light, in the 47th annual Grammy Awards.

The powerful and heartfelt album was nominated for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album, and the title track was also nominated for Best Gospel Performance. Additionally, for his acoustic guitar solo work on the same album, Harper received an individual nomination for "11th Commandment" in the Best Pop Instrumental category. Virgin Records Chairman and CEO Matt Serletic commented:
"All of us at Virgin are proud to be associated with such a virtuosic, moving and musically significant album. With this recording, Ben Harper and the Blind Boys of Alabama have made a testament to music's power to inspire and unite."

There Will Be a Light has been an international phenomenon since the day of its release in September 2004. Not only did it enter the Billboard gospel album chart immediately at Number One, it was an instant worldwide hit, debuting as a national Number One album in France and Italy, and entering at No. 3 in Switzerland, No. 6 in Australia and No. 7 in Portugal.

Harper, who has sold over seven million albums globally, had previously guested with the Blind Boys on their Higher Ground album, the second of three consecutive Blind Boys of Alabama albums to win the Grammy for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album. Since 2001, the legendary group has won three-for-three in the category.

In another collaboration that found him joining with giants of America's musical roots, Harper sang lead for the legendary Funk Brothers studio band on two of R&B's most iconic songs, "Ain't Too Proud To Beg," and "I Heard it Through the Grapevine," in 2002's Grammy-winning concert soundtrack, Standing in the Shadows of Motown (winner of Best Compilation Soundtrack Album For A Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media).