Levon Helm Studios, affectionately known as "The Barn" in Woodstock, is at the center of a bitter family feud that has resulted in the removal of Amy Helm, Levon Helm's daughter, from its management. Brian Parillo, a longtime friend of Levon Helm and a shareholder, now controls 60% of the company's voting rights after Sandra Helm (Levon's widow) and Barbara O’Brien (another shareholder) assigned him their voting powers. This shift allows Parillo, who has been involved with The Barn since its first Midnight Ramble, to act as CEO following a May 26 shareholder vote.
The conflict intensified publicly after Amy Helm posted on Facebook on July 12, 2026, clarifying that neither she nor the long-standing core staff were involved in decisions made by the new management and that the postponement of the popular Helm Family Midnight Rambles was out of her hands. Parillo and Sandra Helm have accused Amy of mismanagement and not booking enough shows, with Sandra specifically stating she disagreed with certain band bookings. Parillo has yet to provide concrete evidence for his claims of Amy's "malfeasance."
In response, Amy Helm filed a request in Ulster County Surrogate’s Court on June 4, accusing Parillo of "financial exploitation and elder abuse" and seeking a guardian for Sandra, alleging manipulation. A physical confrontation between Amy and Parillo on May 28 led to a police report, though no charges were filed. Following Amy's removal, the general manager, operations manager, and studio manager all resigned in solidarity, further highlighting the deep divisions within the organization. While Parillo controls voting rights, Amy and Sandra each still hold 40% ownership of the business, with Parillo and O'Brien each holding 10%.
