Found this article while looking for a vid of the recent Grammy's acceptance speech. (I missed it! I'm such a dork! ) Thought this was interesting. Benmont is only mentioned briefly, but it was interesting to see all the different performers who honored Neil and played his music. Benmont was part of the backing band for most performers... I wonder if he played w/ Kid Rock?

http://www.signonsandiego.com/...neil_saluted_by.html

Neil Diamond is possibly the most silently acknowledged influential musician of this generation. I was surprised to see him perform/mentioned in The Last Waltz, The Band's documentary rock film on the closing of Winterland in San Francisco. He seems to be one of those musicians that were both at the heart of the psychedelic movement, and at the same time, totally mainstream. My father loved Neil Diamond. We grew up as a family with his music blasting throughout the house on weekends even though there was always a clear separation in the real world between the Right and the Left side of things.

Didn't Benmont (and Mike?) play on his last album with Rick Rubin?

yes, they did. My mom is head over heels in love with that album.

^What did you think of it, Girl? I would be interested in hearing it, but I don't think I would buy the album. I've never been a fan, but would enjoy picking out Ben and Mike in the band.

^^Wow! Wish Benmont and Mike would of played with him when I saw the Neil Diamond concert in December. sure would of put a great spin to the show and been a bit more exciting for me. The show was good and I appreciated the talent...but it was a little too 'sugary' for my taste. Now had Benmont and Mike played..well I would of fought my way to the rails!