Overview
- Shareholders voted on May 26 to remove Amy Helm from management and install longtime shareholder Brian Parillo as CEO, and Parillo says he now controls about 60% of the studio’s voting power.
- Woodstock police responded to an on‑site altercation between Amy Helm and Parillo on May 28; the report did not assign who initiated contact and no charges were filed.
- On June 4 Amy Helm filed papers in Ulster County Surrogate’s Court alleging Sandra Helm was vulnerable to manipulation and accusing Parillo of financial exploitation and elder abuse while asking the court to appoint a guardian.
- Several core staff members including the general manager, operations manager and studio manager resigned after the leadership change, and Amy says she and longtime staff are no longer part of Levon Helm Studios with the August 1–2 Helm Family Midnight Rambles postponed.
- Sandra Helm has publicly denied being coerced and supports Parillo’s leadership, while Parillo says an initial internal investigation was completed and offered to Amy; the dispute has left governance, programming and stewardship of Levon Helm’s legacy unsettled.