Levon Helm is coming home
One of Arkansas’ own is coming back home this summer for a special one-night show and he’s bringing a dozen of his friends and family with him when the 12-piece Levon Helm Band plays the Walton Arts Center here in Fayetteville on June 18 at 8pm.
Originally from Elaine, Arkansas, the legendary Levon Helm spent his childhood surrounded by music. At the age of six, he witnessed his first live show, Bill Monroe and His Blue Grass Boys and was later quoted as saying of the performance, “This really tattooed my brain. I’ve never forgotten it.”
If seeing Monroe at age six, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley at age 14 and then sharing the stage with Conway Twitty at 17 doesn’t eventually make a rock star out of a kid then nothing will.
Helm went on to play with the highly influential Ronnie Hawkins and then Bob Dylan before settling into his most famous role in The Band.
Levon Helm concert poster
Today’s lineup features guitarists Larry Campbell (Bob Dylan) and Jimmy Vivino (Max Weinberg 7) as well as daughter Amy on vocals/mandola and Little Sammy Davis on harp. Add a four-piece horn section and a handful of other musicians and you’ve got yourself one helluva night.
Those fortunate enough to score tickets can expect a blend of classics by The Band as well as songs from Helm’s 2008 Grammy Award winning album, Dirt Farmer.
Tickets range from $45 to $125 and go on sale April 10. For availability, call 479-443-5600 or head over to waltonartscenter.org.
Discussion
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By Beebs on March 24th, 2009
Yes yes I’m excited about this show.
By unicorn on March 24th, 2009
is it just me or is there a photoshop disaster going on here?
By Sardon on March 24th, 2009
Photoshop what? Is Levon playing a guitar, or is that some kind of fancy electrical mandolin? Never seen him play guitar, but I’m sure he can do it.
Levon Helm is one of the greatest rock and roll practitioners of all time. We’re lucky he’s still loyal to Arkansas and the Stratton family, or Fayetteville wouldn’t be a stop on this tour. He’ll have family in the audience, and old friends. We’ll get the best show of the tour.
You think Chik-Fil-A on MLK is awesome. This is Levon Helm. A National Treasure and an Arkansas Diamond. His dad was even named Diamond.
By Todd on March 24th, 2009
@unicorn Not seeing it.
By Sardon on March 24th, 2009
Sorry, Uni. Now I see the giant pasted on head.
By Todd on March 24th, 2009
@unicorn, @Sardon Y’all wish.
By The Truth on March 24th, 2009
If I’m not mistaken, he’s playing an solid-body, electric mandolin. Count the strings. If you come up with a number higher than four, you see more than I do.
By Scott Stapp of Creed on March 24th, 2009
Whoote! Levon is easily one of my top 100 favorite singers that sounds like a frog.
By imaidiot on March 24th, 2009
When can we expect the Flyer to have a contest for tickets? I think the first person to have asked for a contest should get them.
By unicorn on March 24th, 2009
@todd weird his head looks HUGE
By a. brown on March 24th, 2009
I think we’ve found a new meme: photos that look like photoshop disasters but are sadly real. Don’t look too close.
By Todd on March 24th, 2009
@imaidiot We’re working on it.
@unicorn You’re right. It is kinda weird, isn’t it?
By yrfuneralmytrial on March 24th, 2009
It’s an electric mandolin. Much smaller than a geetar. However, Levon is rumored to be packin’ 12″. No photoshop enhancement needed. Makes me proud to be an Arkansan.
By cathy stinkpants on March 26th, 2009
I love him I love him I love him!
So EXCITED! Is there going to be a meet and greet? Anyone know??
By egorder on March 31st, 2009
photoshop disaster? thats hilarious. Levon can play the drums as well as the mandolin as well as a guitar, as well as harmonica. Head size might be an issue but I wouldn’t doubt any instrument you see in or near his person being playable by him.
Bring Levon on!
By bill krejci on April 3rd, 2009
who’s going? ive gotta come down for this. are tickets going to be hard to get april 10th?
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