Amy Helm, ep. 138

Basic Folk

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Amy Helm grew up surrounded by some of the most influential musicians in American roots music, including her father Levon Helm, legendary drummer and singer for The Band. That also meant that her childhood was a “very colorful” experience where she was raised by a “village of brilliant and talented people who were also wrestling with the grips of addiction.” When she was a kid, she liked kid things, just like a normal kid. Case in point, she attended the fabled 1976 concert, The Last Waltz when she was five years old. Her most prominent memory: all the candy and snacks her and the other kids were given backstage. She also didn't have a great relationship with her dad until she was a young adult. Levon took her on the road to tour with his blues band, The Barn Burners. He thought she was ready and it was trial by fire each night on the road for young Amy. She learned so much from that experience. After that, she and her dad started his much loved Rambles at The Barn in his Woodstock home. Those nights started as a rent party for Levon who had just overcome addiction, survived throat cancer and had just filed for Bankruptcy. They soon grew into a Woodstock institution, featuring artists such as Emmylou Harris, Allen Toussaint, Elvis Costello, Phil Lesh and more. After Levon died, Amy decided to record and release her first solo album at 44. Now, she's on her third album, the excellent and very personal What The Flood Leaves Behind.

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