Happy Birthday Levon Helm

To this day, my trip to Levon Helm's Midnight Ramble a few years back remains as the most unique concert experience I have ever witnessed. If you can make your way out to Woodstock, NY and catch a ramble, I highly recommend it. You will not be disappointed! Happy Birthday Levon. I hope you have many many many more!

Levon Helm - Poor Old Dirt Farmer

Ottawa Bluefest Unveils Impressive Lineup

The Ottawa Bluesfest has announced their lineup and it's pretty awesome. The two week festival, which goes does from July 7 - 18 boasts an eclectic lineup covering all genres.

Highlights of the lineup include Rush, Weezer, Great Lake Swimmers, The Swell Season, The Flaming Lips, The B-52's, Steve Winwood, Santana, Passion Pit, Levon Helm, Kevin Costner and Modern West, Jimmy Cliff, Further, Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Band & Arcade Fire. Is this really a blues fest? You can check out the festivals official website for the complete lineup and ticket information.

Monday Morning Coffee Break

It was quite the weekend for me! Trey at The Riv on Friday. Wilco at the gorgeous Overture Center in Madison on Saturday. To top my weekend off, Team USA beat Team Canada last night at the Olympics! Here is some news to get your Monday going.

• It turns out that Abbey Road Studios will not be sold
• Lil Wayne has 8 root canals before heading to jail next week
• The Rapture are putting the finishing touches on a new record
• Billy Corgan has plans to write his memoir
• Derek Trucks talks Beacon Box
• Further & moe. join inaugural Nateva Festival lineup

Levon Helm - Tennessee Jed

Upcoming Levon Helm Midnight Rambles

If you ever have a chance to check out one of Levon Helm's Midnight Rambles, please don't pass it up. It was one the coolest concert experiences that I have ever witnessed.

January 16 - w/ Pete Special
Little Sammy Davis & Fred Scribner w/ LHB
This show will be recorded by "The House of Blues Radio Hour"
Standing room only tickets available
January 30 - w/ Dorraine Scofield
Little Sammy Davis & Fred Scribner w/ LHB
February 6 - w/ David Bromberg and Angel Band
Little Sammy Davis & Fred Scribner w/ LHB
February 20 - w/ Redbird Round
Little Sammy Davis & Fred Scribner w/ LHB
March 6 - w/ Hayes Carll
Little Sammy Davis & Fred Scribne w/ LHB
March 20 - w/Allison Moorer (CD release) and Steve Earle
Little Sammy Davis & Fred Scribner w/ LHB

To purchase tickets for Levon's Midnight Rambles click here.

For information regarding Levon's Midnight Rambles click here.|

You can also catch Levon Helm's band on the road.
Feb 26 @ The Wellmont Theater - Wellmont, NJ
Feb 27 @ Harrah's Restort - Atlantic City, NJ
Mar 5 @ The State Theatre - Ithaca, NY
Apr 22 @ The Arkansas Music Pavilion - Fayetteville, AR
Apr 24 @ Horsehoe Casino - Robinson, MS
Jul 24 @ Floydfest - Floyd, VA
Aug 6 @ Edmonton Folk Fest - Edmonton, AB, Canada

A note to fans planning to see The Levon Helm Band: Levon lost his voice while we were on the road on June. The good news is that a biopsy of his vocal cord a few weeks ago resulted in a diagnosis of NO CANCER, however he does need to remain on vocal rest so that he can heal. He was diagnosed with a lesion on his vocal cord from acid reflux which was removed by laser. He will sing again, following some rigorous vocal lessons with his vocal coach, but he does need to take it slowly. Thanks to you, his loyal and loving fans, he's been welcomed to the stage with shouts and cheers and sounds of encouragement through this healing process.

Levon is back! As of December 12th Levon has been singing back-up vocals on Deep Elum Blues, the third verse of The Weight and all of Tennessee Jed!!

Levon Helm's Midnight Ramble

On February 2, 2008 I made my way to Woodstock, NY to attend my first Midnight Ramble at Levon Helm Studios. Aside from being a big fan of The Band, I was also really digging Levon Helm's Grammy Award winning Dirt Farmer.

Levon Helm Studios is located off the beaten path and is very easy to miss as it sits down a drive surrounded by trees. It was perhaps the most unique concert experience I have ever witnessed. It's not that often that you get to see a legend like Levon Helm perform in the comfort of his own home.

All shows are pot luck and fans are encouraged to bring all types of food. Tickets are $150, and while that seems a little steep, it is worth every penny. You never know who will stop by the studio. Past special guests have included Allen Toussaint, Robert Earl Keen, The Swell Season, Steve Earle, Elvis Costello, Donald Fagen, Medeski Martin & Wood, Chris Robinson, Emmylou Harris, Garth Hudson, Dr. John, Bruce Hornsby, Norah Jones and many more.

Upcoming Midnight Rambles

November 7 w/ The Duke & The King - Sold Out
November 14 w/ Marshall Crenshaw - Sold Out
November 20 Acoustic Ramble w/ Martha Scanlan - Get tickets here
November 21 w/ Eric Church & Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - Sold Out
November 28 w/ Emory Joseph - Sold Out
December 5 w/ Imelda May - Sold Out
December 12 w/ Joe Louis Walker - Get tickets here
December 19 w/ Joan Osborne - Sold Out
December 31 w/ The Alexis P. Suter Band - Sold Out