AIN’T IN IT FOR MY HEALTH: A FILM ABOUT LEVON HELM TO BE RELEASED IN THEATERS ACROSS NORTH AMERICA IN 2013 
KINO LORBER ACQUIRES NORTH AMERICAN RIGHTS TO THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED DOCUMENTARY  

Kino Lorber announced today the acquisition of all North American distribution rights to the documentary AIN’T IN IT FOR MY HEALTH: A FILM ABOUT LEVON HELM, an in-depth and intimate look at music legend Levon Helm, who died of cancer in April 2012.

This announcement comes on the heels of the recent “Love for Levon” tribute concert in New Jersey earlier this month where nearly 20,000 Helm fans packed the Izod Arena to hear musicians including Roger Waters, Gregg Allman, Mavis Staples, Joe Walsh, Lucinda Williams, and many others celebrate the legacy of the much beloved founding member of The Band who died earlier this year.

Kino Lorber is planning to release the film in theaters across North America in early 2013, followed by a VOD and home video release set for the summer along with other digital and television distribution.

Levon Helm was in the middle of an intensively creative period in the years just before his death. In addition to establishing the Midnight Ramble concert series as a must-see music experience, Helm’s Dirt Farmer (Vanguard/Dirt Farmer Music) earned the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Album in February of 2008, and in November of that same year, Rolling Stone magazine ranked him among The 100 Greatest Singers of All Time. In 2010, his follow up album Electric Dirt, also won a Grammy Award in the inaugural category of ‘Best Americana Album.’ In 2011, his live album Ramble at the Ryman was nominated for the Grammy in the same category – and won.

Director Jacob Hatley’s intimate documentary finds Mr. Helm at home in Woodstock, NY, in the midst of creating his first studio album in 25 years. Shot during the course of two-plus years, this highly anticipated film focuses in on the four-time Grammy winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member after his 2007 comeback album, Dirt Farmer, brought him back to the spotlight.

While this period was artistically productive, AIN’T IN IT FOR MY HEALTH: A FILM ABOUT LEVON HELM also shows Helm dealing with the burdens of renewed celebrity, continuing financial obligation and returning health problems.  The man known worldwide for his soulful voice, (as well as his singular and unparalleled drumming and multi-instrumental skills), permitted a camera crew inside his home to show the world an intimate side of his art and life. 

Of the film, longtime Helm collaborator and musical director Larry Campbell says, “Jacob was the perfect fly on the wall for many months as we experienced the ups and downs of a wonderful time in all our lives. The result is a rare, artful, and honest glimpse into the fascinating world of one of our true American treasures, Levon Helm.”

The deal was negotiated between Kino Lorber CEO Richard Lorber and Stephen Brower, Senior VP of the Welk Music Group/Sugar Hill Records/Vanguard Records.

Mr. Lorber commented: “It was a privilege to meet Levon at one of his last Midnight Rambles and verify personally how insightfully this music-packed film captured the generosity of spirit, the humanity and the immense talent of one of America’s greatest musical artists. We see this as a mission now to be able to open the film, and Levon’s life, to legions of fans, followers and new audiences, who will be thrilled to discover the scope and depth of his contribution.”

About Kino Lorber:

Kino Lorber, Inc. was founded in 2009 by industry veterans Donald Krim and Richard Lorber, combining the staffs, libraries and resources of Kino International, Lorber Films and Alive Mind to create the new leader in film distribution. Through its varied group of labels, Kino Lorber, Inc. offers the best in contemporary, classic and documentary films that aim to engage, provoke, stimulate, and entertain today’s audiences.

With a library of more than 700 titles, Kino Lorber, Inc. releases over 20 films per year theatrically under its Kino Lorber, Kino Classics and Alive Mind Cinema banners. Moreover, the company brings over 60 new titles per year to the home entertainment market through Blu-ray, DVD and digital distribution on Internet platforms and VOD services. www.kinolorber.com

Benefit Concert Will Feature a Star-Studded Lineup Including John Mayer, My Morning Jacket, Ray LaMontagne, Eric Church, Gregg Allman, Dierks Bentley, Marc Cohn, Patty Griffin, Warren Haynes,John Hiatt, Bruce Hornsby, Jorma Kaukonen, The Levon Helm Band, Robert Randolph, Mavis Staples, Joe Walsh, Lucinda Williams and More Legendary Surprise Guests to be Announced

The Black Keys brought up surprise guest John Fogerty this past weekend at Coachella to pay tribute to the late Levon Helm. Enjoy “The Weight” below… 

Levon – It is an honor and a privilege to have been a part of your brilliant career and to be able to share your music with the world. It gives us enormous pride that we worked alongside such a legend as you won your Grammy Awards and be recognized as a true music icon. The intensity of joy you radiated was only matched by your unending smile. Thank you for being the back beat in musical history for so many. Thank you for being the backbone of positivity for everyone who crossed your path. That’s always been a testament to what you’ve inspired over the course of decades through your music and integrity. When we’ve witnessed a Midnight Ramble, you were gracious and kind—and always brimming with music. You hold a special place not just in our hearts, but in the hearts of millions of others. Thank you for your music. Thank you for your friendship. Thank you for your joy and generosity. We are forever grateful that you joined our family. With our love – Vanguard Records

Levon Helm’s RAMBLE AT THE RYMAN – Live CD & DVD (each sold separately) is available today! Recorded on September 17, 2008, the legendary Levon Helm took his beloved Midnight Ramble on the road to one of America’s treasured venues, Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium. Accompanied by such luminaries as Buddy Miller, John Hiatt, Sheryl Crow, George Receli, Sam Bush and Billy Bob Thornton, the Levon Helm Band created an unforgettable night of stage magic.

Track Listing:

Ophelia
Back to Memphis
Fannie Mae
Baby Scratch My Back
Evangeline
No Depression in Heaven
Wide River to Cross
Deep Elem Blues
Anna Lee
Rag Mama Rag
Time Out for the Blues
A Train Robbery
The Shape I’m In
Chest Fever
The Weight

Album Available Now on: 
iTunes
Amazon

DVD Available Now on: 
Amazon

Levon Helm and Ray Lamontagne played another The Band classic this past week in Clearwater, Florida. The tour is officially over but a handful of new Midnight Rambles in Woodstock have been announced here. 

The Levon Helm Band was joined by Ray La Montagne and The Secret Sisters on stage at BJCC Arena in Birmingham, Alabama for an incredible performance of “I Shall Be Released”. 

RollingStone.com Article: 
Levon Helm With My Morning Jacket
Helm, Jim James and Steely Dan’s Donald Fagen perform an epic concert in a Woodstock, NY barn… Read on… 

September 13, 2010 – The Levon Helm Band joins forces with Ray LaMontagne & The Pariah Dogs to co-headline eight select cities beginning on November 2nd in Jacksonville, FL and wrapping on November 12th in Austin, TX.  

Legendary musician and rock icon, Levon Helm has nurtured a tradition of professionalism with a deep respect for his craft.  Having played with the likes of Ronnie Hawks, Bob Dylan, and The Band, Helm’s voice has given us classics such as Up on Cripple Creek, The Weight and The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down amongst many others. The Band played their last show together entitled The Last Waltz on Thanksgiving 1976 at the Winterland Ballroom.  The show was filmed by Martin Scorsese and came to be known as one of the greatest rock documentaries of all time. In 2007, Levon released Dirt Farmer, his first solo studio album in twenty-five years. The critically acclaimed album awarded him a 2008 Grammy for Best Traditional Folk Album and landed Helm a spot in Rolling Stone’s The 100 Greatest Singers of All Time. That same year Helm was also recognized by the Recording Academy with a lifetime achievement award as an original member of The Band and was given the “Artist of the Year” Award by the Americana Music Association.  In 2009, Helm released Electric Dirt which marked Levon’s highest debut in Soundscan era at #36 and spent six consecutive weeks at #1 on the Americana Radio Chart. Levon won his second consecutive Grammy for Electric Dirt in the inaugural category of Best Americana Album in 2010.  

The Levon Helm Band features Levon Helm, Larry Campbell, Jim Weider, Amy Helm, Teresa Williams, Brian Mitchell, Erik Lawrence, Howard Johnson, Clark Gayton, Jay Collins, Byron Isaacs and Steven Bernstein. 

Ray LaMontagne’s 4th studio album God Willin’ & the Creek Don’t Rise debuted at #3 on the Billboard Top 200 and #1 on the Digital album chart selling over 64,000 units.  This marks a personal sales best for Ray and ties his debut chart position at #3 for Gossip in the Grain.  This week, Ray also receives his first radio #1 on the AAA BDS and Mediabase charts for the single “Beg Steal or Borrow”.  The Associated Press calls the album, “one of the year’s best” while the New York Daily News’ 5 star review says the album is, “one of the stand out releases of the year.”  Ray is currently wrapping his tour with David Gray in Settle on September 12th.   The Orange Country Register claims Ray’s voice is, “as rough, crevassed and soft as broken-in corduroy” and the Boston Herald said Ray “has an innate down-home grit and his music possesses a simmering roots-rock fire.”

 Tickets for the tour will go on sale to the public on September 18th at ticketmaster.com and will be available for pre-sale on September 14th at 10:00 AM EST.  Please visit  www.levonhelm.com or www.raylamontagne.com for more information on the tour.

Tour Dates Listed Below:
11/2/10 - Times Union Center of Performing Arts -Jacksonville, FL
11/4/10 - Pompano Beach Amphitheatre - Pompano Beach, FL
11/5/10 - Ruth Eckerd Hall - Clearwater, FL
11/7/10 - Saenger Theatre - Mobile, AL
11/8/10 - BJCC Concert Hall - Birmingham, AL
11/10/10 - Orpheum Theatre - Memphis, TN
11/11/10 - Verizon Theatre @ Grand Prairie - Grand Prairie, TX
11/12/10 - Bass Concert Hall - Austin, TX

Ain’t In It For My Health: A Film About Levon Helm will be making its world premiere at this year’s SXSW Festival!  Directed by Jacob Hatley, Ain’t In It For My Health finds Levon thrust into the musical spotlight for the first time in a quarter century, but a Grammy nomination and ever-growing audiences force him to confront the dark times that have haunted him since The Band’s demise:  Throat cancer, bankruptcy, drug addiction and the tragic loss of bandmates Richard Manuel and Rick Danko.  Win or lose, Levon is an artist who will not go quietly into the night.

Schedule of show times to be announced shortly.  This year’s SXSW Festival runs from March 12^th – 21^st.

American musical icon Levon Helm recently won his second consecutive Grammy Award in the category of “Best Americana Album” for Electric Dirt, his second release on Vanguard/Dirt Farmer Music.

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