Levon Helm, who played at Woodstock, built his dream home about 90 minutes away in the town of Woodstock. It’s a home, recording studio, and concert venue.  

His memory and influence live on there, and his daughter Amy is making sure his dream continues.

When Helm passed away in 2012, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame musician, best known as the drummer of The Band, made his intentions for his home clear: He wanted the studio and concert venue he built in Woodstock to remain open and full of music.

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"I was a fan of The Band and Levon’s music, and it was the most incredible thing I had ever seen, musically speaking," said musician Zach Djanikian. "It was super powerful, and I think I cried at one point, and for someone who sees a lot of music, that’s a pretty unique thing."

So many of the next generation of musicians have visited Levon Helm’s studios.

Connor Kennedy and Djanikian are part of that village Amy Helm relies on to keep it going.

 

 

The band Deer Tick had been waiting for its moment on this stage for years.    

"It’s kind of like a drum pilgrimage, so I’m pretty psyched," said Deer Tick drummer Dennis Ryan.

Dennis especially felt a connection to Levon, and met him before Helm passed away.

"I ran up to him and I was like, 'Hey, Mr. Helm, you have the most perfect sense of timekeeping on the drums,' " Ryan recalled, "and he laughed and patted my stomach and said, 'God bless you, son.' "

"It's been really special, and there are so many players in this community of people that understand and study that music, and respect it and play it and keep it alive," Amy said, "and it’s exactly what my Dad would want."