LITTLE ROCK — During a dinner in the lobbies of Wildwood Park for the Performing Arts preceding Elaine native Levon Helm's concert, the 600 guests enjoyed Southern buffets prepared and donated by Jan Alman which included Petit Jean ham biscuits, fried chicken drumsticks, collard greens, Shadden's barbecue sandwiches from Marvell and assorted dips.
Centerpieces were fresh ears of corn, red peppers, squash and even an artichoke.
The stage inside the Cabe Festival Theatre was filled with musicians for the almost twohour concert, including Helm's daughter Amy Helm, her husband, Jay Collins, and backstage, their young son, Lavon Henry Collins, called Lee.
Before the rock 'n' roll music got under way, holders of 25 winning numbers from ticket stubs received advance copies of Helm's new solo album, Electric Dirt, to be released Tuesday. His last album, Dirt Farmer, won a Grammy for best traditional folk album in 2008.
Gov. Mike Beebe presented the second annual Native Sons and Daughters Tribute to Helm, a glass trophy, appropriately named Electric Dirt, made by James Hayes of Pine Bluff.
Helm greeted his guests and signed autographs backstage after the show.
Tickets were $125 and $200 for the after-concert backstage party. Underwriters for the evening were Elizabeth and Craig Campbell, Wilson & Associates and the Wilson History & Research Center.
High Profile, Pages 36 on 06/28/2009