Mickey Hart, half of the percussion tandem known as the Rhythm Devils who played with the Grateful Dead for nearly three decades, is touring hard and still playing an arsenal of percussion instruments from around the world.  Mickey and Bill Kreutzmann (the other half of the Rhythm Devils) were highlights of the Grateful Dead shows.  All this time around music and Mickey has never tired of researching and studying the world’s music.  His love of world music has even led him to his partners in Planet Drum.  Planet Drum’s self-titled debut album hit #1 on the World Music Chart, remained there for 26 weeks and received the 1991 Grammy for Best World Music Album; making that the first ever Grammy awarded in this category.  This album is also one of twenty-nine recordings released in Mickey’s WORLD series on Rykodisc.  In October of 2011, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings released the Mickey Hart Collection to preserve and further Mickey’s endeavor to cross borders and expand musical horizons.  Mickey is currently in the studio working on a new solo project to be released in 2012.   
Over the years, Mickey Hart has had many experiences and unique opportunities, which took him beyond the music industry.  He has written 4 books documenting his fascination with the history and mythology of music, he has composed numerous scores, soundtracks and themes for movies and television, in ’94 he was inducted, along with the Grateful Dead, into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame and he composed a major drum production performed by an assembly of 100 percussionists for the opening ceremony of the 1996 Olympic Games.  With all that to keep him busy, he still finds time to be a social activist.  He has spoken to the US Senate Committee on Aging on the healing effects of drumming and rhythm on afflictions associated with aging and he was appointed to the Board of Trustees of the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.  As a member, he heads the subcommittee on the digitization and preservation of their vast collections.  All of this does not keep him from his fans though, he still finds plenty of time to tour and keep the fans happy!  
 

Mickey Hart and his amazing drumming abilities are not to be missed at Penn’s Peak in April!!