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Benmont's Interview In The Oregonian -- Unedited!
"But a less recognized key to the Heartbreaker chemistry is Tench, whose playing provides the subtle color and cohesion that elevates Petty's music above the mass of rock 'n' roll product."

Benmont's Interview In The Sacramento Bee

Benmont Answers Questions From Fans!

Equipment Used On Tour

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 Benmont is mentioned as an influence
 of  Rami Jaffee, The Wallflowers' keyboardist.

http://www.the-wallflowers.net/influences.html

"Like what Benmont Tench did in Tom Petty's "You Don't Know How It Feels." There's a Wurly part that only happens once, and you expect it a second time in the song, which makes the first statement that much more impacting. That's just genius. "

"Benmont has really inspired me in that way. I love playing Garth Hudson-type parts," he adds, "but I could only try to play like him. He's also great. When I go into sessions think about Benmont's sneakiness and Garth's obvious approach and try to combine elements of both." July 1998 

Click here for the whole article.

Rami Jaffee's Site 

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News

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September 27, 2005

From prnewswire.com

Benmont appears on the new Dixie Chicks single "I Hope."  The proceeds from the song go to hurricane Katrina relief.

Go to I Hope

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October 14, 2005

From Billboard - New York , NY , USA

Diamond Strips Down, Gets Personal On '12 Songs'

Billboard - New York , NY , USA

 "12 Songs" features subtle backing by guitarist Smokey Hormel and Mike Campbell, keyboardists Billy Preston, Benmont Tench and Roger Manning Jr., guitarist."

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October 21, 2005

From the Grand Forks Herald

"Tom Brosseau's new CD, "What I Mean to Say is Goodbye," is worth a listen. This is his third indie recording, the first two selling out."

"The vocals and delicate guitar are supported by a cast of players that include Benmont Tench from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Sarah Watkins and Gabe

Witcher from Nickel Creek and Elvis Costello's drummer Pete Thomas."

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January 30, 2005

Karen Bliss for JAM! Music 

From the CANOE -- JAM!

Benmont Tench appears on Kathleen Edwards's latest album "Back to Me."

"Back To Me," produced by her guitarist Colin Cripps, at Toronto 's Reaction Studios, also includes guest appearances by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers keyboardist Benmont Tench, Sarah McLachlan producer Pierre Marchand on piano, My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James, and singer Jim Bryson, whose song "Somewhere Else," Edwards covers.

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January 31, 2005

From Rolling Stone

Benmont appears on Shelby Lynne's latest project "Suit Yourself."

"Grammy-winner Shelby Lynne will release her ninth studio album, Suit Yourself, on May 24th.

The self-produced follow-up to 2003's Identity Crisis, Suit Yourself will feature guest spots by legendary country musicians such as guitarist Robbie Turner (Willie Nelson) and Tony Joe White (Tina Turner, Waylon Jennings), with whom Lynne collaborated on his latest album, The Heroines. Also making appearances are Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' keyboardist Benmont Tench and former Wallflowers guitarist Michael Ward."

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February 3, 2005

From the Gainesville Sun

An instrumental musician 

When he’s not at his day job, Heartbreaker Benmont Tench is the most sought after keyboardist around.

By: DAVE SCHLENKER

Gainesville Sun article

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February 25, 2005

Benmont Tench appears on singer/songwriter Jessi Alexander's debut effort "Honeysuckle Sweet."

"An avowed Tom Petty fan, Alexander gets to indulge herself with the lovely ballad "Everywhere," which she wrote with Benmont Tench. But the soulful vocalist can handle the writing part just as well all by herself, as she proves on the forgiving "I'd Run Right Back to You."

Billboard Magazine.

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August 26, 2005 

Benmont appears on Neil Diamond's forth coming album

The Star Tribune article By Jon Bream

HTTP://www.startribune.com/stories/457/5569124

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July 2002

Benmont plays on the soundtrack of the Disney movie, "The Country Bears"

He plays keyboards on: "Where Nobody Knows My Name" and "Straight To The Heart Of Love"

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July 2002

Mike Campbell and  Benmont Tench join J.J. Cale on Tuesday, July 2, 2002, at Chicago's Park West. 

From Suntimes.Com.....

"There was inspiration in the perspiration as Campbell and Tench clearly had a good time. They traded off on solos on 'Call Me the Breeze' (popularized by Lynyrd Skynyrd), and Tench met the challenge of trying to play subdued Jerry Lee Lewis-style piano riffs. Campbell turned to slide guitar for 'Crazy Mama' and approached 'Sensitive Kind' (covered by Santana) with the similar adventure of Carlos Santana.

"The guest Heartbreakers meshed nicely with Cale's regular band: ex-Merle Haggard and Hoyt Axton guitarist Christine Lakeland, Tulsa-based bassist Bill Raffensperger and percussionist James Cruce, who performed on a mini-trap set. The ringer of the set had to be the group's hard-driving take on 'Anyway the Wind Blows,' an obscure Cale composition that was the title track of a 1995 Brother Phelps album................

".........Campbell and Tench later locked in on the Cale classics 'Cocaine' and a deep swamp version of 'I'll Make Love to You Anytime,' which was the show's first encore. Cale, his band and the Heartbreakers ended the evening with an extended cover of 'Goin' Down,' popularized by the Jeff Beck Band, but in actuality a continuation of St. Louis Jimmy Oden's 1930s blues standard 'Goin Down Slow.'"

Click on the link below for the complete article....

http://www.suntimes.com/output/rock/cst-ftr-cale04.html

(Many thanks to Brigitte, Sandy and Len for posting this information on the TP mailing list.) 

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Coming Soon ... 2002 Tour Info

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March 2002

YeeeHaw and Whoo-Hoo!! Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame!

(Left to Right) Benmont Tench, Mike Campbell, Tom Petty, Howie Epstein, Stan Lynch and Ron Blair -- inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Monday, March 18, 2002, at the New York's Waldorf Astoria. (AP Photo/Ed Betz)

From http://www.tompetty.com/ ....The Seventeenth Annual Induction Ceremony was held in New York on Monday, March 18, 2002. VH1aired the ceremony at 9:00pm (ET/PT) on March 20th, 2002.

Check out the links below for more information.... 

Rolling Stone's Induction Ceremony Wrap-Up

Rolling Stone article at Yahoo.com

http://www.rockhall.com/home/default.asp

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May 2001

2001 Tour Photos

From www.tompetty.com

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' Tour Dates 


TOUR DATES

05/09/2001 - Corvallis, OR - Gill Coliseum

05/11/2001 - Boise, ID - Idaho Center

05/12/2001 - George, WA - The Gorge

05/15/2001 - Denver, CO - Red Rocks

05/16/2001 - Denver, CO - Red Rocks

05/18/2001 - Houston, TX - Woodlands

05/19/2001 - San Antonio, TX - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre

05/21/2001 - Dallas, TX - Smirnoff Music Center

05/24/2001 - Santa Barbara, CA - Santa Barbara County Bowl

05/25/2001 - Santa Barbara, CA - Santa Barbara County Bowl

05/27/2001 - Sacramento, CA - Sacramento Valley Amphitheatre

05/28/2001 - Concord, CA - Chronicle Pavilion

05/30/2001 - San Diego, CA - Open Air Theatre

06/01/2001 - Las Vegas, NV - The Joint (The Hard Rock Hotel)

06/02/2001 - Las Vegas, NV - The Joint (The Hard Rock Hotel)

06/27/2001 - Scranton, PA - Coors Light Amph. @ Montage Mtn. 

06/28/2001 - Philadelphia, PA (Camden, NJ) - Tweeter Waterfront

06/30/2001 - Bristow, VA (Washington, D.C.) - Nissan Pavilion at Stoneridge

07/01/2001 - Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center

07/04/2001 - Milwaukee, WI - Summerfest at Marcus Amphitheatre 

07/05/2001 - Long Island, NY (Wantagh, NY) - Jones Beach Theatre

07/07/2001 - Saratoga Springs, NY - Saratoga Performing Arts Center

07/08/2001 - Boston, MA - Tweeter Center For The Performing Arts

07/10/2001 - Pittsburgh, PA - Post Gazette Pavilion

07/12/2001 - Clarkston, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre

07/14/2001 - Atlanta, GA - Lakewood Amphitheatre

07/15/2001 - Nashville, TN - Amsouth Amphitheatre

07/17/2001 - Columbus, OH - Polaris Amphitheatre

07/18/2001 - Kansas City, MO (Bonner Springs, KS) - Sandstone Amphitheatre

07/20/2001 - Chicago, IL - Tweeter Center

07/21/2001 - Indianapolis, IN - Verizon Wireless Music Center

Go to the www.tompetty.com website, and click on "news" for updates.

Other Tour Information Sites:

http://www.pollstar.com

http://tickets.artistdirect.com/tompetty

http://www.ticketmaster.com

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May 2001

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers  tour dates mentioned in "USA Today."

http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20010504/3291422s.htm

Many thanks to Mike (mbeckbike) for posting this on the official BBS. 

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May 2001

 Benmont appears on new Ryan Adams album.

RYAN ADAMS is in a Hollywood studio finishing up a double-album called "Gold," set for release late this summer. The twenty-five-song opus features a guest list that includes COUNTING CROWS frontman ADAM DURITZ, CECE WINANS, TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS keyboardist BENMONT TENCH and drummer JIM KELTNER. "The first disc is about all these things that were happening in my life, leaving New York," Adams said. "The second disc is kind of like L.A. and 'What's going on here?' It's really going to be like this travelogue but I think it's going to make sense." 
From www.rollingstone.com .

The Ryan Adams Official Web Site 
http://www.ryanadamsmusic.com/

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February 27,  2001 

Benmont appears on Stevie Nicks' new album, "Trouble In Shangri-La".

Some Song Credits From The Album:

"Sorcerer" 

Produced by Sheryl Crow and Stevie Nicks
Drums: Matt Chamberlain
Bass: Tim Smith
Guitars: Sheryl Crow and Peter Stroud
Keyboards: Patrick Warren
Hammond B3 Organ: Benmont Tench
Guest vocalist: Sheryl Crow
Background vocals: Sharon Celani and Lori Nicks

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"Too Far From Texas" 

Produced by Mike Campbell, Sheryl Crow, and Stevie Nicks
Drums: Steve Ferrone
Bass: Sheryl Crow
Guitars: Mike Campbell and Waddy Wachtel
Hammond B3 Organ: Benmont Tench
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"It's Only Love" 

Produced by Sheryl Crow
Drums: Brian MacLeod
Bass: Dan Rothchild
Guitar: Sheryl Crow and Mike Campbell
Keyboards: Benmont Tench
Background vocals: Sheryl Crow

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Due out May 1, Trouble In Shangri-La features a 13 tracks and a wealth of collaborations with longtime cohorts and Nicks admirers. Former boyfriend and Fleetwood Mac partner Lindsey Buckingham plays and sings on one song, while Sheryl Crow co-produces and plays on others. Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks duets on "Too Far From Texas," pop/R&B singer and recent Grammy winner Macy Gray shows up on "Bombay Sapphire," and Lilith Fair founder Sarah McLachlan contributes piano, acoustic guitar, and backing vocals on the album-closing "Love Is." Also on hand are Benmont Tench and Mike Campbell of Tom Petty's Heartbreakers, longtime Nicks guitarist Waddy Wachtel, former John Mellencamp violinist Lisa Germano, and Nicks's backup singers Sharon Celani and Lori Nicks.

Article

Many thanks to Brigitte for finding this article.

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February 21, 2001 -- From www.tompetty.com

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers To Do A Short Tour In May! 

Great news for fans! Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are doing a short tour this May.

The band will be playing small, medium and large venues around the Western United States and on the West Coast before
they head into the studio to begin recording.

Dates, cities, and venues are being worked out now. We won't be posting information here until details are certain. However,
the tour schedule will be posted on this site as soon as it is confirmed.

Keep checking here (www.tompetty.com) for more detailed information. And for those of you on the West Coast, be sure to keep an eye out in
your area to see if they are coming your way!

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February 10, 2001 -- Unofficial Tour News -- TPATH Begins Tour In May 

This message is from a regular poster on the alt.music.tom-petty
newsgroup... well, as regular as it gets on the ng.

"A very reliable source confirms as of today that Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers will indeed be on Tour this summer beginning in May --- at least that is the plan as of this minute --- several venues have already been either book or are in the process of being booked!!"

February 17, 2001 -- Tour Update

In a recent visit to the TP official site's BBS, Dana York, Tom's girlfriend, confirmed that TPATH will be doing a west coast mini-tour in May.  In addition, she said that Tom and the Heartbreakers will hit the studio in June with Rick Rubin. 

Official, TPATH BBS

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December 19, 2000 -- Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Among Artists Performing At White House Concert Celebrating Special Olympics 


A concert in celebration of the Special Olympics titled "A Very Special Christmas from Washington, D.C." will include performances by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Tracy Chapman, Macy Gray, Jon Bon Jovi, B.B. King, Blues Traveler's John Popper, Stevie Wonder and others still to be announced. The artists will be performing holiday songs at the White House on December 14 after a reception hosted by President and Mrs. Clinton to honor the heroic achievements of a generation of Special Olympics athletes.

The taping of the live show will be on December 14 and then the 90-minute concert special will air on Turner Network Television (TNT): December 19 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT 2000

"This Christmas concert offers Special Olympics the chance to honor the courageous athletes who helped build the movement during its first 30 years," said Special Olympics President and CEO Timothy P. Shriver. "We're thrilled to be able to carry their message to an audience of millions."

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' performance at the White House this year is not the first time they have generously done something to benefit the Special Olympics. In 1992 they recorded "Christmas All Over Again" (written by Tom Petty) and allowed it to be included on A Very Special Christmas 2, a CD honoring the Special Olympics. Royalties from the sales of this CD as well as the previous A Very Special Christmas have raised more than $65 million for Special Olympics Programs around the world.  From www.tompetty.com

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TPATH performed "Christmas All Over Again" and "Little Red Rooster" at the " Very Special Christmas" event.  The whole band backed Stevie Nicks when she sang "Silent Night." And Mike and Benmont backed Sheryl Crow for her rendition of " Run Run Rudolf," which included an awesome, rootsy rock 'n' roll solo by Mike.  

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December 13, 2000 -- Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Play At Party For Al Gore 

Only one hour after Vice President Al Gore's address conceding the presidency to George W. Bush on national television, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were unexpectedly invited to perform at a party for Gore's supporters at the Vice President's home. Tom and the Heartbreakers (Mike Campbell, Benmont Tench, Howie Epstein, Steve Ferrone and Scott Thurston), who were in town to tape the TNT "A Very Special Christmas from Washington, D.C." television special at the White House the next night, performed an impromptu one-hour set at Gore's mansion. The band performed several of their own classic songs including "American Girl" (at the request of the Vice President himself) and "I Won't Back Down."

Tom was joined on vocals by Jon Bon Jovi, with Blues Traveler's John Popper accompanying them on harmonica. Tipper Gore joined in, playing percussion throughout. Later on, Tom sang with Stevie Wonder.  Meanwhile, the "A Very Special Christmas from Washington, D.C." program will air December 19 on TNT.

From www.tompetty.com

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October 2000 -- Benmont appears on Terri Clark's song "Take My Time" off of her new "Fearless" CD.

Thanks to thunderheartbreaker for posting this information at the official site BBS.

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October 2000 -- Benmont will be playing with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers At Bridge School Benefit In Mt. View, CA On October 28 & 29. 

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October 2000 -- "Anthology"
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
A Two CD Set 
Released by Universal Music on October  2000

Universal Music

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September 2000  -- From the September 19 issue of Country Weekly magazine:  Benmont worked with the Warren Brothers on their new album, "King Of Nothing". Benmont co-wrote the track "Waiting For The Light To Change" and flew to Nashville to help out on the song.  "Recording that track was about the coolest thing we've ever done," says Brad. "I looked over and one
of the Heartbreakers was playing the organ next to me. I thought, "This is a riot!"' 

Thanks to HrtbrkrGal and thunderheartbreaker for posting this information at the official site BBS.

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September 2000 -- This is from the 
alt.music.eric-clapton newsgroup.

Doyle Bramhall is working on a solo album,  the second Bramhall RCA album which is due out in February of 2001. Looks like Benmont Tench (from Tom Petty's band) will be producing.

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Septemeber 2000 -- Benmont  plays on Johnny Cash's new album, " American III: Solitary Man" -- on the song "I See A Darkness." 

The Johnny Cash Site

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July 2000 - Benmont appears on Jeff Healey's new album, "Get Me Some" -- on the songs "Macon Georgia Blue" and "House Is Burning Down."

Many thanks to Will 't Hart for providing the album information.

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June 2000 - Benmont plays on 
Buffalo Nickel's new album, "Long 33 1/3 Play"

http://www.buffalonickel.net/ 

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June 2000 - Benmont plays on Steve Earle's new album, "Transcendental Blues" -- on the song "I Don't Wanna Lose You Yet" (organ)

Many thanks to Curt Mitchell for providing the album information.

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June 2000 -- Benmont makes a guest appearance on Green Day's forthcoming album, "Warning." www.tompetty.com

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May 2000 -- Benmont plays on Aimee Mann's album "Bachelor No. 2" and on the songs...

"Nothing Is Good Enough"
(piano and chamberlin)

"Red Vines"
(chamberlin)

"Calling It Quits"
(piano)

Also on the "Magnolia" soundtrack:

"Nothing Is Good Enough (instrumental)"
(piano and chamberlin)

"Wise Up" -- piano (which is also on the "Jerry Muguire" soundtrack)

Aimee Mann's Web Site

Many thanks to Julie Vasquez for providing the album information.

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May 7, 2000 -- The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles was the place to be last Sunday for all Benmont Tench fans! Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' keyboardist Benmont Tench performed onstage Sunday, May 7 in Los Angeles playing keyboards on the song, "Unbreakable Heart," during Jessica Andrews' (last week's winner of the top female newcomer prize at the Academy of Country Music Awards) show at the Greek Theatre. Recently released as a single from Andrews' year-old debut album, "Unbreakable Heart" was written by Benmont and originally recorded by Carlene Carter for her 1993 album, Little Love Letters. From www.tompetty.com

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March 2000 -- Mike Campell and Benmont Tench appear on Don Henley's new album "Inside Job" -- due out May 23rd.

Benmont appears on seven songs!

"For My Wedding"
"Everything Is Different Now"
"Workin’ It"
"Goodbye To A River"
"They’re Not Here, They’re Not Coming"
"Damn It, Rose"
"Miss Ghost"

Don Henley's Official Website

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February 11, 2000 -- Benmont Tench performs on a new solo album by Doug Fieger (The Knack) called "First Things First," released through Zen Records.
Doug Fieger's Web Site - http://www.fansoffieger.com/dfieger.htm.

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January 2000 -- Benmont appears on June Carter Cash's "Press On" which won the GRAMMY for Best Traditional Folk Album

The 42nd GRAMMY Awards Website - June Carter Cash's "Press On"

http://www.junecartercash.com/

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January 2000 -- Grammy nominations were announced and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers along with Echo's producer Rick Rubin were honored in three categories:

Best Rock Song - "Room At The Top" - (Songwriter: Tom Petty; Performers: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers)

Best Rock Album - Echo - (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers; Producers: Tom Petty, Mike Campbell and Rick Rubin; Engineers/Mixers: Mike Campbell and Richard Dodd)

Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical - Rick Rubin (For Echo by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers)

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January 2000 -- Jessica Andrews talks about her new single, "Unbreakable Heart," written by Benmont
......"From the beginning "Unbreakable Heart" has been my favorite song on my album..... It was so simple and perfect. Even if you just cut it with guitar and nothing else, it would hold it's own because it's such an amazing song.".....

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August 1999 -- Guitarist Mike Campbell and keyboardist Benmont Tench of Tom Petty's band the Heartbreakers joined roots-rockers Los Lobos onstage Saturday (Aug. 28) at the San Francisco club Slim's. Campbell accompanied Los Lobos for three songs, including covers of Neil Young's "Down by the River" and the Sir Douglas Quintet's "She's About a Mover." Tench added keyboards for an encore performance of the Blasters' "Marie Marie." Los Lobos had opened for Petty earlier that night, and the night before, at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, Calif. The Latin American band released the album "This Time" in July.
Los Lobos at Slim's, San Francisco CA

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July 1999 -- Heartbreakers Congratulate The Blue Moon Boys (photo)
Tinley Park, IL...New World Music Theater, Saturday, July 31, Heartbreakers Mike Campbell (guitar) and Benmont Tench (keys) greet Indiana Boys/winners of the "MP3.com Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Cover Contest," - The Blue Moon Boys.....

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April 1999 -- Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers receive a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame (photos)

Click Here for more information about the Star for the Heartbreakers

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Feburary 1999 -- Benmont Joins Beth Nielsen Chapman At The Grammy Awards

Benmont Tench, keyboard player for Tom Petty's Heartbreakers, hopped on stage to join Chapman on a new song, I'll Give My Heart, they co-wrote together. When they finished, Bonnie Raitt stood and cheered from her place in the audience.

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January 1999 -- Benmont and Tom Petty were at The Village recording studios in Los Angeles working on "Echo."
@ The Village Recorder (Photo of Benmont, Tom Petty and Sheryl Crow)