When people tell the story of Levon Helm, they usually begin in Turkey Scratch, Arkansas, and eventually move north to Woodstock, New York. Somewhere in between come Ronnie Hawkins, Bob Dylan, Music from Big Pink, The Last Waltz, and The Band, one of the most influential groups in the history of American rock music. That […]
Before Conway Twitty: Harold Jenkins and His Helena, Arkansas Roots
Long before millions of people knew him as Conway Twitty, he was Harold Lloyd Jenkins, a boy growing up in Helena, Arkansas, with a guitar in his hands and an interest in music that was beginning to take over his life. He would eventually become one of the most successful performers in country music history, […]
Helena, Arkansas: A Mississippi River Town with an Extraordinary History
There are towns whose history can be told by listing a few important dates, and then there are places where history seems to be everywhere you look. Helena, Arkansas, is one of those places. Sitting between the Mississippi River and the hills of Crowley’s Ridge, Helena occupies one of the most unusual locations in the […]
Levon Helm Documentary
I’m pretty stoked, the documentary about one of my all-time favorite performers (and homeboy from Turkey Scratch, Arkansas), Levon Helm, is set to be released real soon. I’ve seen a lot of good reviews of the film already. In case you haven’t seen the preview trailers, see below… John W. Barry recently wrote: You learn […]
Thoughts on the Grammy’s…
The other night I had every intention in the world of watching the Grammy’s so I could see their all-star tribute to Levon but for the life of me I couldn’t make myself do it. I’m sure a big part of what I’m fixing to say has a lot to do with the fact that […]
He’s Gone… Remembering Levon Helm
Now I don’t mind choppin’ wood, and I don’t care if the money’s no good Ya take what ya need and ya leave the rest But they should never have taken the very best! I’ve known about Levon’s failing health for a few days now after receiving a text message from my Mom while I […]
Prayers for Levon Helm
I first learned about Levon’s situation the other day but have been hesitant to say a lot about it until today because his family and friends have been being very tight-lipped about it. Today his wife Sandy and daughter Amy posted a message on his website letting everyone know that Levon was in the last […]