Paul LaRaia - The Levon Helm Midnight Ramble

I AM SO PROUD AND HONORED TO HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO DOCUMENT history in the making, but the fact of the matter is that it took a lot of dedicated people to make this book a reality. First and foremost, Id like to express my profound thanks to Levon Helm for his trust and for accepting me as a part of the Ramble family. Levon, you have been such an inspiration to me and to everyone around you. Somehow, without saying a word, you make us all better at what we do.

There were three other people who were instrumental in bringing this book to life, and they have my ever-lasting respect and gratitude. It was my long-time friend and musician extraordinaire Erik Lawrence who invited me to my very first Ramble. Like his father, he possesses that rare gift of being able to put the right people together at the right time. Tony LoBue gave me the opportunity to prove myself and provided a guiding hand, constant support, and great insights, like pointing out the way Levons smile lights up the room whenever he finishes a song. And then theres manager Barbara OBrien, who granted me all access. Without a doubt, shes the best protector and guardian angel an artist could ever wish for.

What can I say about the incredible Levon Helm Band that hasnt already been said by so many of their admiring peers? Levon, Larry, Jimmy, Amy, Teresa, Erik, Steven, Jay, Little Sammy, Mike, Brian, Howard, Clark, and Tony grace the stage week after week and bring such beauty and joy to everyone in the house. Thank you all for letting me in close enough to touch and be touched by your extraordinary talents.

In addition, Id like to express my sincere appreciation to Sandy Helm for her kind and gracious hospitality in opening up the doors to her home; to Amy Helm for her input and feedback; to Larry Campbell for writing such a lyrical preface to this book; and to all the guest artists who so eloquently shared their experiences of playing a Ramble: Terry Adams, Vicki Bell, Jimmy and Peter Bennett, Chris Bergson, Rich Brotherton, Clarence Clemons, Aaron Comess, Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow, Kinky Friedman, Mike Gordon, Ray Grappone, Emmylou Harris, Bruce Hornsby, Charlie Hunter, Byron Isaacs, Dr. John, Rickie Lee Jones, Tony Leone, Lou Marini, Fiona McBain, John Medeski, Leslie Mendelson, Ollabelle, Joan Osborne, Glenn Patscha, Shawn Pelton, Chris Robinson, Lorin Rowan, Catherine Russell, Lincoln Schleifer, John Scurti, John Sebastian, Hubert Sumlin, Alexis P. Suter and her band, Kate Taylor, Bow Thayer, Billy Bob Thornton, Allen Toussaint, Jim Weider, Max Weinberg, Gillian Welch, and Chris Wood. Thanks also to their management, agents, publicists, and assistants: Matt Amoroso, Jill Christiansen, Emily Deaderick, Darlene DeLano, Josh Feigenbaum, Amy Finkle, Jake Guralnick, Debora Hanson, Peter Himberger, Paul Kahn, Alisse Kingsley, Colin Nairne, Bridget Nolan, Aki Oduola, Liz Penta, Renee Pfefer, Lani Richmond, Marie Rodrigues-Oldham, Steven Trachtenbroit, and Pam Wertheimer.

Id like to give a very special thanks to my two silent partners, who were always there with encouraging words and creative advice: Dawn LoBue and Howard Massey, who went above and beyond the call of duty in obtaining many of the great quotes that complement the photographs in this book. Thanks also to John Barry, John ONeill and to all the members of Team Levon, the never tiring, selfless behind-the-scenes staff, without whom the show does not go on: Amy, AnnaLee, the two Bills, Billy, Brendan, Cathy, Charlie, the two Chrises, Dane, Dennis, Fran, Geanine, Jack, Jayson, Jeannie, Jeff, J.R., Justin, Kathy, Mike, Patty, Perry, Pin, Tom, Walter, and Vicki.

I am most grateful to John Cerullo for recognizing the aesthetic and historical significance of this book, and to Marybeth Keating and all the staff at Backbeat Books for their hard work. Last but not least, I want to thank my wife, Alexandra, for her support and encouragement throughout, and for taking those long rides home with me in the wee small hours, no matter how bad the weather was!

PAUL LARAIA