Things at Levon Helm Studios are getting uglier. The ongoing feud between the owners of the Woodstock venue has led to a slew of canceled shows, and now they're struggling to issue refunds.
Since Levon Helm's death in 2012, his daughter Amy Helm took over the space with her 40% control over the studio, as did her stepmother, Leon's widow Sandra Helm. Brian Parillo and Barbara O'Brien, two of Levon's friends, each controlled 10%, until those shareholders removed Amy Helm from management and installed Brian Parillo as CEO in May. In July, Amy accused Parillo of financial exploitation and elder abuse of Sandra and called her own ousting a "shakedown" and an "extortion." Last month, Levon Helm Studios filed a federal lawsuit against Amy and others, alleging that she used money for her own personal and career interests, concealing transactions from the other shareholders and costing the company at least $2 million in damages, including about $400,000 charged to the company "with no apparent business purpose."
Per The Daily Freeman, ticketholders seeking refunds have begun receiving emails from Levon Helm Studios ticketing partner's Tixr, claiming that "almost all of the funds previously paid for upcoming shows was no longer available." The email then goes on to blame Amy: "While these funds should have been set aside for those performances, they had already been spent by prior management. This is the reason the refunds are taking longer than expected. Please be assured that LHS is not withholding the funds; rather, we are actively working to rebuild the capital that should have been there."
Parillo wrote in an email that ticketholders are being reimbursed in the order that shows were canceled and "as funds become available." "We've been able to start sending out the first round of refunds," he said, adding, "my priority every day is getting the rest out as quickly as I can."
Over a dozen shows were canceled amid the drama, with artists protesting the management change. Shows are still happening, though; the Devil Makes Three played on Friday (Aug. 28) and Laith Al-Saadi will play on Sept. 25 and 26. Meanwhile, Amy Helm will be on tour supporting Roger Daltrey starting tonight.
