Fair Proxy Web

Levon Helm Trust

As you all know, there have been financial issues in Levon’s life, caused mainly by him being diagnosed with throat cancer in 1998. From that time until very recently, Levon was unable to use his voice to speak, let alone sing. Also during that time, he was unable to secure gigs which paid well enough to cover his financial load. Over time, the mortgage fell behind, taxes were left unpaid, medical bills started building up and he was faced with the very real nightmare that his house/studio were going to be auctioned by the County.

In late 2003, early 2004 The Midnight Ramble Sessions were born – building on a lifelong dream of Levon’s to host live music in his home. The idea came from his childhood – with the traveling minstrel shows. It was at that time, too, that his “Team” was beginning to form. One by one, we all decided that we would help him rebuild his career, organize the Rambles, help with work around the house, communicate his renewed success through newly created web site, help produce product and, mainly, save his house and studio from foreclosure. With the help, support and loyalty of his fans, we’ve been very successful, but we need to get Levon to the point where he’s debt-free. We’ve set a target date of December 24, 2007 to achieve our goal and I know we’re going to do it! The $500 gift to The Levon Helm Trust can be made by an individual or by a group of people. All we’d need to know is what name should be entered into the property grid, to be forever memorialized at the studio. Smaller, more affordable gifts may also be made to The Levon Helm Trust and those names will be placed on a separate list and hold the same appreciation as all others. These gifts to The Levon Helm Trust are not tax deductible to the “donor” and are non-taxable to the Trust.

The Levon Helm Trust has been created as a separate legal entity to receive these donations and all gifts will go to pay down the debt, until the debt is paid in full. The debt includes, but is not limited to: the new mortgage, a new second mortgage, paying back investors, medical bills, paying back loans, etc. After the debt is retired, remaining funds in the Levon Helm Trust will be used for upgrading the sound system, upgrading the electrical system, completing the roof and on and on and on. As part of the Trust, sponsors cannot receive anything in return for their gift Your name will be entered on the property grid and will forever be memorialized at Levon Helm Studios as a sponsor. We’re calling this project “Sponsor a Square”. For a gift of $500 (payable to The Levon Helm Trust), we will all have the satisfaction of knowing that we’ve helped preserve one of America’s treasures. Levon will be able to continue making that music that ONLY he can make. He will once again be in a financial position to do all the benevolent things he so wants to do (ie: host drum camps for kids, raise money for music-related needs, host kid’s rambles, etc.). Let us – his fans – be the ones to turn his life around! When the music industry turned its back on him – we didn’t.

Please help us today.  Pass the word to other fans.  We can make this work!!!!   Help us help Levon and let’s give back  to him for all he’s done for us, for his community, for children, for the families of the military, for the sick, for the needy and most of all, for what he’s done for American music!

For more information, please email sponsorasquare@levonhelm.com