Ben Harper, Zach Braff Rally for Obama, Promote Voting Early at CU Campus in Boulder

Boulder, Colorado -- On Saturday, just hours after completing the recording of his upcoming album in Los Angeles with his new backing band, the Relentless Seven, singer-songwriter Ben Harper played an inspirational and emotional 3-song set at a Barack Obama rally in Boulder. Harper was joined by actor Zach Braff (Scrubs, Garden State) and was introduced to the crowed by his wife, actress Laura Dern (Jurrasic Park, Wild at Heart). The three celebrities repeatedly urged the crowd of (predominantly) University of Colorado students to vote early - and to to vote for Democratic nominee Barack Obama.

Harper is making several appearances in swing states critical to the presidential hopes of Obama. After his stop in Colorado, which included a short set at Denver's Civic Center Park a couple hours prior to his performance at Boulder's Mary Rippon Theatre, Harper will join the Beastie Boys and Tenacious D in St. Paul, MN, on November 1 and those three artists will be joined by David Crosby and Graham Nash the following night in Milwaukee.

Laura Dern introduced her husband, Harper, to the crowd after sharing comical stories about their 7-year-old son while encouraging the crowd to exercise their right to vote. Their son, Ellery, designed an Obama t-shirt - complete with skateboards and other random drawings - that he's selling in LA. He asked his mom before they left for Colorado, "So, when will he be able to move in?" He was referring to Obama and the White House. Ellery also informed his parents that he wants to be George W. Bush for Halloween, and he wants to round out the costume with packed suitcases to portray Bush moving out of the White House.

Harper, sporting Carolina-blue Jordans, opened his set with an inspirationally appropriate new song, "Up to You Now." The spirited performance including vintage Harper vocals and lyrics that were a perfect match for Obama's grassroots campaign that has included - and greatly benefited from - the often inactive 18- to 24-year-old demographic. Yesterday's rally in Boulder was a perfect example. Young college students organzied the event and dominated the crowd.

"Up to You Now' is off of Harper's upcoming album, recorded with his new backing band, the Relentless Seven. Harper's last album, LIfeline, was recorded in 2006 with his longtime backing band, the Innocent Criminals. He told the crowd that he just wrapped up recording the new album at 5 that morning in LA before boarding a plane to Colorado.

Harper rounded out the short set with "Gather 'Round the Stone" and an alternate version of "Better Way," both from 2006's Both Sides of the Gun.

Zach Braff closed the rally with a laugh-packed appearance that could have been mistaken for a late-night set at a comedy club. He dropped a few f-bombs as he joked that after traveling the country to urge people to simply vote, he's finally "coming ouf of the closet" - he's finally telling people to vote for Obama.

The resounding message of the rally was to vote early. An early voting booth is set up at the CU Rec Center (a place Braff says he's never been, but is sure it's "f---ing awesome"). Students can vote there through Oct 31, from 8 am to 6 pm. Even students registered in other states can vote there. For more information on voting early in Boulder, visit the county clerk's website.