Ben Harper just had a great week. First, the singer/songwriter and master of the acoustic slide guitar spoke with Andre 3000 of hip-hop heroes OutKast about going into the studio together. A few days later, guitar legend Ry Cooder called about collaborating. Then blues great Taj Mahal called with a similar request. He had also just performed on Austin City Limits, a long-standing music showcase on American Public Television.

Growing up "on a steady diet of Austin City Limits," Harper first appeared on the show 10 years ago, backing Mahal on acoustic slide. Now, he says, performing on the show with his own band, the Innocent Criminals, is a great honor.

Talking from his home in Southern California, his voice rises in volume at the prospect of the next call. "Let the phone ring!" he says.