Don
Helms 1927-2008
Our friend, Don Helms, has
rejoined our beloved Wilburn Brothers, Hank Williams and the Drifting
Cowboys. Don passed away August 11, 2008. We will sorely miss him, his
wonderful music and the great stories of his experiences of life on the
road. We are so honored to have had Don and his lovely wife, Miss Hazel
in Hardy to honor the Wilburn Brothers for the first two Wilburn
Brothers Tributes. He was as fine a musician as there ever was but more
importantly, he was a warm hearted, giving friend. His humor was as
much a part of him as his music and he shared both with the folks of
Hardy Arkansas. We will miss you, Don Helms; it won’t be the same
without you. Our thoughts and prayers are with Miss Hazel and the Helms
family.
3rd Annual Wilburn Brothers Tribute
coming to Hardy Arkansas
May 23th, 2009
Make your plans now to attend this
fantastic concert honoring Hardy's own Grand Ole Opry Stars.
The pictures below show what a great time
Wilburn family and fans had last May so be a part of the this years
concert. For more information, call or write:
Hardy City Hall
PO Box 5
Hardy AR 72542
870-856-3811
. Watch this website for updates as they occur. This is a
"can't miss" for Wilburn Brothers fans and good ole country music.
Wilburn Brothers Fans from all around and
all ages gathered in Loberg Park this year for our 2nd
annual Wilburn Brothers Tribute. A nice breeze on a hot night
with stars overhead was the perfect setting for music that
took us all back to an era when gas was 19c a gallon. Lawn
chairs and blankets were spread across the freshly mown grass
and expectation filled the air. (I was privileged to sit in
on an impromptu after dinner jam session the night before the
tribute so I knew what a wonderful performance we were in
for.)
Don Helms was in fine form on
the steel guitar. His first strains of country music
floated across the spectators which brought a burst of
enthusiastic applause. Little Leslie Wilburn was a surefire
crowd pleaser with his fiddle playing. Several artists
performed original and well known songs accompanied by a
band and sound system that could not be faulted.
Ms. Geraldine Wilburn Grisham was
in attendance again this year and was as beautiful and
gracious as I remembered. She arrived at the Tribute in a
long black limousine that had been generously provided by a
local businesswoman. In speaking with Ms. Geraldine I
learned that when they were small children their every day
meals consisted of beans and cornbread and wild game. I had
been curious about this as I want to do a cooking show down
by the old Wilburn homestead chimney that still stands.
I presented to Ms.Geraldine, a
flag that had been flown over the US Capital on December 24th,
2006, the 70th anniversary of the first
performance by the Wilburn family. I also presented to her
a copy of the State Proclamation from Governor Beebe,
proclaiming that every year, the Saturday before Memorial
Day to be “Wilburn Brothers Day” as well as copies of Judge
Browns County Proclamation and the City of Hardy’s
Proclamation.
Wilburn Brothers T-shirts,
DVD’s, LP’s, 8 Tracks, Promotional pictures from the 60’s of
the Wilburn Brothers with Elvis, and water with Wilburn
Brothers Tribute labels were all offered for sale at the
event.
The smiles and happy faces
proved that the event was a big success and a good time was
had by all. We hope you can join us next year. Best Wishes
to all…
Mayor
Nina A. Thornton
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The Legendary Don Helms
in Hardy Arkansas at his last
performance
Hardy,
Arkansas, May 24, 2008
Legendary Country Music stars of
television, radio, recording and publishing, "The Wilburn Brothers"
(Teddy and Doyle) were honored posthumously for their significant
contributions to the Country Music Industry with a musical tribute
by their hometown during the annual Hardy Arkansas Good Old Days
Weekend. The tribute was held in downtown Hardy on May 24th. Family
members, old friends and fans of the Wilburn's attended the 2nd
annual tribute.
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