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.