Amy Helm Sues Over 'Illegal Takeover' of Levon Helm Studios — SkimNews
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- Amy Helm filed a lawsuit claiming Brian Parillo orchestrated an "illegal takeover" of Levon Helm Studios earlier this year, alleging he removed her as director through shareholder consents she never signed, with no shareholder meeting ever noticed or held.
- The suit alleges Parillo coerced Sandy Helm, Levon's widow, into backing the corporate actions through "undue influence over a vulnerable person," after Amy accused Sandy of misappropriating "hundreds of thousands of dollars" from Levon's estate.
- Parillo allegedly canceled a June 6 Helm Family Midnight Ramble concert after Amy refused demands to not contact Sandy or come onto the premises, then "lied to the public by claiming the cancellation was due to a family emergency on Amy's part."
- Messages from Parillo's lawyer reportedly included the lines "we hold Amy's career in our hands" and "we can make Amy radioactive," sent to Amy and her ex-husband Jay Collins.
- An August counter-suit by the Barn's new management accused Amy of $400,000 in self-dealing during her tenure as president (2017–2026), with $167,000 the accountant couldn't justify and flagged as "Due from Amy."
- Since Amy's ouster, many artists have canceled shows at the venue in solidarity, and the Barn has hosted only two concerts—a pair of late-September shows by Laith Al-Saadi.
Why it matters: The lawsuit escalates the legal battle over Levon Helm Studios, with Amy seeking to void every corporate act that put Parillo in charge—including the August federal suit that accused her of $400,000 in self-dealing. A ruling in her favor would effectively undo the new management's grip on the Barn, which has hosted only two shows since the artist cancellations began, and potentially revive the Midnight Ramble concert series.
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