Johnny Helm

On March 4, 1973 Johnny Helm was born. His parents and grandparents were all talented musicians. His dad was a square dance caller, his grandfather could play any instrument he could get his hands on. The women sang and played piano.

Blame John's grandfather for what has become a passion (and hopefully a career) in music for John. Papa, as John called him, gave him his first ukulele and harmonica. His career could have taken off from there, if only he knew what to do with them. At Morley Elementary School, in West Hartford, John played the snare drum in the school band. He continued in percussion at King Philip Junior High School, where he first heard guitar legends Jerry Garcia and Van Morrison. That changed everything. John ditched the drums and picked up guitar, beginning to sing and write his own songs. At Hall High School, he played in talent shows and sometimes on the streets of Hartford ... his first taste of live performing. While attending the University of Rhode Island, John played in a band called Cat on a Tin Roof, gigging at various clubs in Kingston and Narranansett. The band, with John on lead guitar and vocals specialized in Grateful Dead covers. After graduating in 1995, with a degree in Wildlife Biology, John started writing songs and playing at open-mic events at The Bershires, in the hills of southwest Massachusetts.

In March 1996 John went to New York City to record a few demo tracks ... the three-song demo was distributed to record labels. None responded.

John left Rhode Island for another island ... Hawaii, in 1996. He met local radio legend, Wili Moku, who brought him into the studio to record a second session. John recorded two songs, "Home" and "Lady of the Night." John gave up his chemist job to get into radio, interning at Moku's KQMQ 93.1 FM station. He soon realized an interest in what goes behind the scenes. He met producer and engineer, Darah York, who he shadowed for several months before landing a job as producer for Caribou Broadcasting. He stayed at the studio after hours, determined to learn everything about recording. John began to produce what would be his first full-length demo recording, with nine self-titled songs, while working days at various coffee shops on Oahu.

A career in radio was inevitable. John was hired to host KKHN 102.7 FM's "Double K Country" morning show. That led to the morning DJ job at KPOI, 97.5 FM. After work he continued to play at local clubs and bars in Honolulu, picking up a regular gig at Shipley's in Manoa, with pianist Patrick Sweeney, who later became his roommate.

John was introduced to local musican, producer, and engineer Rockwell Fukino in March 2001. He brought John into the studio to record his second full-length recording entitled "At Random."

"At Random" was nominated for Rock album of the year in 2003 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards.

Helm supported "At Random" with many shows from the club scene of Honolulu to theater performances at Marks's Garage (it really is a theater), the Contemporary Museum of Honolulu, Bishop Museum, and of course, Coffee Talk, Helm's favorite watering hole.

Helm moved to the Big Apple in the summer of 2004 and continued working in coffee shops, doing gigs with Bud Cerio at New York City's famed "Bitterend" as well as some small venues in Norwalk CT. In the winter of 2004/2005 Helm moved to Greenwich CT where he recorded tracks for his upcoming album "Divide" at the old Sweeney Mansion. Pick up "A Patchwork Clan" if you want to read about the musical Sweeney household with 18 children! There are 10 tracks for the upcoming release. It is a collection of recordings from 1996-2006. Helm produced, engineered, mixed, and mastered almost the entire CD himself. Additional producing on the project was Grammy award winner John Cruz and international recording artist and performer Jeffry Kloetzel. It's currently in stores and available on www.johnnyhelm.com

For a list of shows please visit www.johnnyhelm.com/calendar