The Roanoker March/April 2024 - 17
Gist
Boones Mill Singer-Songwriter
Debuts First Album
written by Sarah Riddell
Colby T. Helms presents listeners with a glimpse of Southwest Virginia culture and the landscape he calls home.
C
ountry folk artist Colby T. Helms' journey to
recording his debut album wasn't a
straight path, but late last year, his persistence
finally paid off. In September,
he signed with Photo Finish Records.
They were instantly drawn to his unique sound
and story, so they presented him with a budget
and told him to bring his vision to life how
he saw fit.
" That's exactly what I wanted, " says Helms.
" They gave me total creative freedom. "
The 21-year-old Boones Mill native's passion
for music and storytelling started at a very
young age. He grew up singing in church and
later took part in middle school choir and theater
programs. But it wasn't until Colby was
12 years old, watching a bluegrass band play
at his father's funeral, that he started taking
his craft to the next level, becoming what he
affectionately terms " a music nerd. "
He dove into the history of music, listening
to old records and learning about different artists.
He spent more time practicing his guitar
and through the tough late middle school and
early high school years that followed, began
writing his own songs.
Eight of those tracks made it onto his first
album, " Tales of Misfortune, " which released
on January 19. Each one depicts a snippet of
Colby's life, and when played through in its
totality, listeners are told a comprehensive story
of a kid growing up in rural Southwest Virginia
without his father. " Some of the best songs ever
are just stories, and I feel like the most honest
way to convey [my experiences] is through
song, " he explains.
Paying homage to his roots is also a key
component of his songs. " I feel like in the area
I'm from, ... there isn't a definitive artist that
encapsulates the culture and the landscape ...
and that's what I want [people] to take away
from my music. "
TheRoanoker.com
The young musician has a jam-packed year
of live performances ahead of him, but he also
has his sights set on starting a second album
soon. " Instead of the songs being about me, it's
going to be more centered around the people
who have helped me get to where I'm at ... a
tribute to the people who maybe wanted to see
this happen but weren't around to actually see
it, " says Helms.
Learn more about Colby and his upcoming
performances at colbyhelms.com. I
MARCH/APRIL 2024 17
SPENCER ROBERTS
http://www.colbyhelms.com
http://www.TheRoanoker.com
The Roanoker March/April 2024
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Roanoker March/April 2024
The Roanoker March/April 2024 - Cover1
The Roanoker March/April 2024 - Cover2
The Roanoker March/April 2024 - 3
The Roanoker March/April 2024 - 4
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The Roanoker March/April 2024 - Cover3
The Roanoker March/April 2024 - Cover4
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