Levon Helm's Ramble on the Road Closes Out Newport Folk Festival

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Friday, July 30, will kick off one of the most anticipated weekends of the year in Newport, RI as thousands gather for three days of the best music and impromptu collaborations they've ever seen. Time will go by quickly at Fort Adams State Park as musicians take to the various stages to delight the gathered crowds before making way for, or perhaps joining, the next artist. But, as has become a tradition at George Wein's Newport Folk Festival (July 30 – August 1), attendees and musicians alike can take weekend-long solace in the fact that, until the last note is played, the best has yet to come at the 51-year cultural institution. And Levon Helm, an American institution in his own right, wouldn't have it any other way.

Helm saw the birth of rock and roll and, through the years, though modest, he's played no small part in keeping it alive. Some of Helm's moments with The Band, Bob Dylan, and others are among the most influential and iconic ideas and memories from 20th century music.

Many of Helm's greatest contributions, well-known and otherwise, spawned from the renowned barn that Helm built and made his long-time home and recording studio in the equally legendary Woodstock, NY. In the 60s, Helm, the rest of The Band, Dylan, and many more began the first stages of genre-bending that would churn out brilliant collaborations and albums for a decade plus – many of which were inspired by Helm's story-telling abilities and, of course, skilled drumming.

If the walls of the upstate New York barn could talk, they would tell you about the Grammy-award winning albums he's contributed to there, the myriad musical legends that have come by, and would ultimately wind up going on for days about one of music's best-kept yet well-known traditions – the Helm-conceived Midnight Ramble Sessions.

Helm's Rambles are truly something you have to experience for yourself. Young and old bring food and drink to share with strangers who will soon become new friends. The barn's intimacy, hospitality, and warmth is the setting for the most heartfelt musical memories, as Levon invites them in to his home to sit awhile and enjoy.

A testament to his long-lasting impact and vision, the first Ramble was held when Levon was 64 years young. Helm has invited friends old and new to his Woodstock barn, including a handful of Newport Folk artists past and present such as John Prine, Dr. John, Elvis Perkins in Dearland, and The Swell Season (who are scheduled to take the main stage at this year's festival just before Helm's band).

And, as the sun begins to set over Newport Harbor on Sunday evening, Helm will take the stage to create the on-the-road version of his beloved Ramble. As he has done for over five decades, Helm will take his drummer's stool – the seat he describes as the best in the house – for over an hour of pure Americana.

He'll lead the band through fan favorite originals, time-honored traditional folk songs, and spirited covers. But, it wouldn't be the last set of Newport Folk without some surprises. The musicians who have stuck around Newport to marvel at the weekend's one-of-a-kind experience will inevitably begin to join Helm on stage, as performers and audience alike share in the greatest, and final, collaborative delight of the three-day hootenanny.

After kicking off with Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers, Tim O'Brien and Sarah Jarosz on July 30 at the International Tennis Hall of Fame at Newport Casino, the 2010 Newport Folk Festival continues July 31 and August 1 at Fort Adams State Park. Tickets and more information are available at www.newportfolkfest.net.

Wein has, since 1959, found Newport a scenic and hospitable venue for presenting the very best of this country's blues, roots, gospel, country, bluegrass, Cajun and traditional folk music. Last year's 50th anniversary edition paid tribute to the great performers who wrote the proud history of this festival, notably co-founder Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Ramblin' Jack Elliot, Arlo Guthrie and Mavis Staples.

George Wein's New Festival Productions continues to build on the festival's historic past by featuring emerging young artists alongside some of folk music's most venerable names. This year's festival features Levon Helm's Ramble on the Road, John Prine, Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers, Yim Yames of My Morning Jacket, The Swell Season, Andrew Bird, The Avett Brothers, Brandi Carlile, Doc Watson & David Holt, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Calexico, Blitzen Trapper, Richie Havens, Sam Bush, The Low Anthem, Tim O'Brien, The Felice Brothers, Justin Townes Earle, Tao Seeger Band, A.A. Bondy, The Punch Brothers with Chris Thile, Dawes, Nneka, Horse Feathers, Pokey LaFarge & the South City Three, Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore, Sarah Jarosz, Cory Chisel & the Wandering Sons, O'Death, What Cheer? Brigade, April Smith & the Great Picture Show and Liz Longley.

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