In the words of the late great Levon Helm, “Keep it goin’…”
It’s hard to believe, but it’s already been almost three months since Levon Helm passed away. There have been four Rambles hosted at the barn since Levon passed away. The fifth is scheduled for July 21 and will feature very special guest Phil Lesh. As of today, there are no Rambles posted on Levon’s site. His family is asking fans to help keep the Midnight Ramble alive.
Here is a portion of the note, his family posted on his site.
From Levonhelm.com:
It’s been almost 3 months since we lost Levon. It’s been an emotional rollercoaster and we’ve encountered a mountain of challenges. Thanks to you, our friends and loyal supporters, the challenges have been easier to handle. Your kind words and messages of love and support have provided more comfort than you can ever know.
You’ve given us the courage and strength to follow through with Levon’s wishes to keep it going, to continue his legacy and to create a musical landmark here at the barn.
More than anything, he wanted the music to continue. He wanted the barn to be host to artists from all walks of life, from all genres. He wanted children to learn from there. He wanted Rambles to continue. He didn’t want a day to go by without some form of music being heard from within THESE walls.
One of the more immediate challenges is financial; the need to generate income so that we can keep Levon’s legacy moving forward.
We feel it’s our duty, our fulfillment of a promise to him, to do exactly what he wanted – to keep it goin’. We’d like to start the fund raising efforts by offering a t-shirt that memorializes our commitment to him as a team. Along with the t-shirt is a digital download of ”Drown In My Own Tears“ (live recording from May 9, 2009)that was going to appear on Volume III, The Best of the Rambles, but we’ve decided to remove it from that CD and offer it here as an exclusive. In addition, your name (as you indicate) will be memorialized at the studio – etched into a beautiful piece of artwork – created by artist Sheila Gilday and donated by Paul Beichert of Timely Signs of Kingston, NY – specifically for this effort.
Here is the breakdown of the different donation opportunities:
- The “White Pick”, 1928 opportunities, requires a $125 donation
- The “Bronze Pick”, only 495 opportunities, requires a $250 donation.
- The “Silver Pick”, is our next exclusive donation level with only 60 opportunities requires a $500 donation.
- The Premium “Gold Pick”, level will make you part of only 17 privileged people who will be represented by the largest pick that is only present on the fretboard and pickguard of the mandolin. Requires a $1500.00 donation.