This evening, the Grateful Dead’s Mickey Hart will thread a connection between music and sports via his new movie Rhythm Masters: A Mickey Hart Experience. The ESPN film will air on the sports network (ESPN, ESPN+) on Wednesday, August 14 at 9 p.m. E.T., 6 p.m. P.T., and presents a Hart-led sonic journey to create an original score inspired by conversations with icons and celebrated voices from the sports arena. 

In the initial press release outlining the forthcoming release, Hart described his intent behind the project as followers: “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.” 

The percussionist continued, “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.”

Rhythm Masters culls stories from Phil Jackson, Joe Montana, Laila Ali, Ronnie Lott, Marshawn Lynch, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Sheryl Swoopes, Ozzie Smith, Mario Andretti, Jack Nicklaus, Mike Piazza, Mark Messier, Alex Honnold, Mikaela Shiffrin, Rush Sturges, Alessia Zecchini and Bob Cousy. Additionally, the film has been dedicated to a late and decorated member of the NBA, “We dedicate this film to Bill Walton, whose own rhythmic journey in sports and life has been a true inspiration,” Hart added in his statement. 

Tonight’s highly anticipated drop honors the artistry that pulses through music and sports while revealing how players inspire and elevate each other to unveil universal depths and connections. Torey Champagne, the film’s Director and Senior Managing Producer, ESPN+ Originals, added, “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.”