Mickey Hart Fuses Music & Sports In New ESPN Documentary ‘Rhythm Masters’

Grateful Dead/Dead & Company drummer Mickey Hart dives into the connection between music and sports for a new ESPN Films documentary. Rhythm Masters: A Mickey Hart Experience premieres on ESPN and ESPN+ at 9 p.m. ET on August 14.

Mickey Hart composed an original score for the film based on his conversations with several legendary athletes about the rhythms found in both music and sports. Hart spoke with such stars as Joe Montana, Marshawn Lynch, Sheryl Swoopes, Phil Jackson, Ronnie Lott, Alessia Zecchini, Bob Cousy, Mikaela Shiffrin, Rush Sturges, Ozzie Smith, Mark Messier, Mario Andretti and Jack Nicklaus for Rhythm Masters. The documentary also includes a posthumous appearance from Mickey’s best friend and celebrated Deadhead Bill Walton.

“Rhythm is the heartbeat of life, and it’s everywhere — in the music we create and the sports we love. When I set out to make ‘Rhythm Masters: A Mickey Hart Experience,’ my goal was to explore this universal pulse and celebrate how music and sports are deeply intertwined,” stated Mickey Hart in a press release. “Through the voices and stories of some of the greatest athletes, we uncover the profound connection that rhythm brings to their performance and passion. This film is a journey into that shared human experience, a testament to the power of rhythm in uniting us all. We dedicate this film to Bill Walton, whose own rhythmic journey in sports and life has been a true inspiration.”

“Mickey Hart is a global music icon who’s been uniting people in rhythm for more than 50 years. We wanted to capture how Mickey’s lifelong friendship with basketball legend Bill Walton enabled him to passionately explore the deep connection between rhythm and sports, which served as the inspiration for the film and score,” added Rhythm Masters director Torey Champagne. “Mickey’s introspective conversations with elite athletes, combined with his original music, has led to a unique film experience that’s meant to make you think and appreciate how music and sports unite us all.”

Watch the trailer for Rhythm Masters: A Mickey Hart Experience below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwjV1fVVEfI

Mickey Hart and Dead & Company will return to the Las Vegas Sphere on August 1. The band has six shows left of their Dead Forever residency at the technologically-advanced venue.