Levon Helm Studios

Levon Helm, Grammy Winner, multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, producer, drummer and actor, has enjoyed a versatile career that spans almost five decades. He currently hosts The Midnight Ramble Sessions, at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, N.Y. Named for the traveling minstrel shows of his Arkansas youth, Helm conceived The Midnight Ramble Sessions in 2004. The “Rambles” are a series of live performances, played to sold out audiences, in an unusually intimate setting. We encourage everyone to bring food or a side dish for our community table for all to share. It's lots of fun!! He saw the birth of rock and roll and though he was too much of a gentleman to say it, his role in helping to keep that rebellious child healthy was more than just instrumental.On May 26, 1940, Mark Lavon Helm was the second of four children born to Nell and Diamond Helm in Elaine, Arkansas. Diamond was a cotton farmer who entertained occasionally as a musician. The Helm’s loved music and often sang together. They listened to The Grand Ole Opry and Sonny Boy Williamson and his King Biscuit Entertainers regularly on the radio. A favorite family pastime was attending traveling music shows in the area. According to his 1993 autobiography, This Wheel’s On Fire, Levon recalled seeing his first live show, Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys, at six years old. His description: “This really tattooed my brain. I’ve never forgotten it.”Hearing performers like Monroe and Williamson on the radio was one thing, seeing them live made a huge impression.