Dispute Over Future of Levon Helm Studios Sparks Legal Battle, Canceled Shows and Community Debate

A dispute over the future leadership of Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock has led to management changes, canceled performances, resignations and legal filings, drawing attention from musicians and fans of one of the Hudson Valley’s most celebrated music venues.

The conflict centers on control of the studio, also known as “The Barn,” founded by the late Levon Helm, a founding member of The Band and a central figure in Woodstock’s musical history.

Noah Eckstein, editor-in-chief of The Overlook, has been reporting on the dispute, including allegations made by the studio’s new leadership and responses from members of the Helm family.

According to The Overlook’s reporting, Helm’s daughter, Amy Helm, was removed from management in late May. Longtime shareholder Brian Perillo now controls 60% of the company’s voting power and serves as CEO and president.

Amy Helm and Levon Helm’s widow, Sandra Helm, each still own 40% of the company, according to the report. Sandra Helm and another shareholder gave their voting power to Perillo.

Perillo has publicly alleged that Amy Helm mismanaged the company and cited what he described as “financial malfeasance.” Eckstein said Perillo has not publicly provided documentation supporting those claims and has not provided that documentation to The Overlook.

Amy Helm has not provided a detailed public response to the allegations. She has said on social media that the dispute is ongoing, that she is no longer involved in management, and that she plans to comment further at a later time.

In a court filing, Amy Helm alleged that Sandra Helm was vulnerable to manipulation and accused Perillo of financial exploitation and elder abuse. Those allegations have been denied by both Sandra Helm and Perillo.

Sandra Helm said she supported transferring her voting power to Perillo because she wanted new leadership and believed the venue’s concert schedule had declined. She also said she wanted programming to better reflect what she described as the barn’s rock-and-roll history.

The dispute has already affected the venue’s programming. Eckstein reported that musician Sam Grisman canceled his August performances at Levon Helm Studios.

The controversy has also prompted an outpouring of reaction from musicians who have performed at the venue and who have expressed support for Amy Helm and concern about the studio’s future.

Perillo has pushed back against the idea that Amy Helm has a “birthright” to control the venue, saying the future of the studio should be determined through ownership and governance rather than family connection.

Levon Helm Studios has long held a special place in Woodstock’s cultural landscape. Helm launched the Midnight Ramble concert series at The Barn in 2004 as a way to help cover medical expenses during his battle with cancer.

The venue became known for intimate performances and for continuing the musical legacy associated with Helm and The Band, whose songs include “The Weight” and “Up on Cripple Creek.” The Band was also the subject of Martin Scorsese’s documentary “The Last Waltz,” which chronicled the group’s final concert.

Image: Home of Levon Helms’s Midnight Rambles, and situated on 18 acres in Woodstock, NY, Levon Helm Studios was constructed in 1975 and designed and acoustically engineered by Helm himself. (levonhelm.com)