Levon Helm Studios Sues Amy Helm Over Alleged Self‑Dealing

Levon Helm Studios has filed a federal lawsuit accusing Amy Helm of years of self‑dealing, alleging she used company money for personal expenses and seeking at least $2 million in damages.

The suit, filed on Monday, claims the studio’s former manager diverted funds for her home, taxes, insurance, driver, lawyer and tour‑van lease.

Amy Helm, daughter of Levon Helm, controlled 40% of the studio alongside her stepmother Sandra Helm (also 40%). Friends Brian Parillo and Barbara O’Brien each held 10%. In May the shareholders removed Amy from management and installed Parillo as CEO.

In a public statement she called her ousting a “shakedown” and “extortion,” and later said, “The question that should be asked is: Who is Brian Parillo and who is bankrolling him?... Although they have told me that I am barred from the property and have changed the locks, nobody will be kicking me out of a home I co‑own or separating me from my father's legacy.”

The plaintiffs allege Amy concealed transactions, costing the studio about $400,000 with no clear business purpose, and they also accuse her of copyright infringement and seek to bar her from using the “Helm Family Midnight Ramble” name, asking for repayment, monetary and punitive damages.

A few days before the lawsuit became public, Nathaniel Rateliff dedicated a performance of Bruce Springsteen’s “Atlantic City” (with Brandon Flowers) to Amy and Levon Helm at the Newport Folk Festival.

Yesterday, Amy announced that the Rambles will continue as a touring act, though she will no longer use the word “Midnight” in the name.

The story was published on August 11, 2026 at 10:11 AM EDT.