Colby T. Helms Journeys Through Grief, Lost Love And His Appalachian Hometown On Tales Of Misfortune

Helms shares the official music video for “Mountain Brandy” - watch here

Helms to make UK debut at AmericanaFest UK next week + joining Tanner Ursey for select dates

Today (1.19), Appalachian phenom Colby T. Helms shares his debut album, Tales of Misfortune via Photo Finish Records. Hailed as having “the name, the background, and the music to become the next big thing in country” by American Songwriter after releasing the album’s lead single (“Higher Ground”), the album recounts the 21-year-old Boones Mill, VA native’s origin story and artistic coming of age. 

Listen to Tales of Misfortune here

Also out today is the official video for “Mountain Brandy,” a song heavily inspired by the Blue Ridge Mountains Helms grew up in. Directed and produced by M7 Productions’ Michael Mazza, the track and video are Helms’ testament to both the people and the valleys of Appalachia that shaped him. 

Watch the official “Mountain Brandy” video here

From the ragtime-inspired “First Snow” set entirely in a dream, to the emotional crescendo of “Daddy’s Pocket Knife” as Helms grieves his late father who inspired his path to music, the 8-track collection journeys through the pain of unrequited love, the toll of life on the road and the hypocrisy within religion, while acknowledging the mystical pull of his hometown that keeps reeling him back. Written entirely by Helms and produced by his mentor and Boones Mill, VA-fiddle-legend Billy Hurt, the album showcases his unwavering brand of bone-raw country folk, fusing the stark honesty of country storytelling with the sharp twang of bluegrass.

“This album delves into my teenage years growing up in rural Southwest Virginia,” says Helms. “I hope that listeners can feel the magic of the sounds, scenery, and culture of my region when spinning this album.”

A touring musician from age 18, Helms has opened for Charley Crockett, Molly Tuttle, Old Crow Medicine Show, Marty Stuart and more. In 2024, he is set to support Tanner Ursey and play AmericanaFest UK, MerleFest, Blue Ox Music Festival, FloydFest, Rooster Walk and Suwanee Spring Reunion. See his full upcoming dates below. 

Tales of Misfortune Tracklist:

1. First Snow
2. Dreaming Again 
3. Higher Ground 
4. Mountain Brandy 
5. Dove Song
6. Leanne
7. Smoke and Flames 
8. Daddy’s Pocket Knife

All songs written by Colby T. Helms and produced by Billy Hurt

Upcoming Colby T. Helms Tour Dates: 

Jan. 19 - Barley’s Taproom - Knoxville, TN

Jan. 23 - AmericanaFest UK - London, UK 

Jan. 26 - The Orpheum - Tampa, FL*

Jan. 27 - Tuffy’s Music Box - Sanford, FL*

Jan. 28 - Heartwood Soundstage - Gainesville, FL*

Jan. 29 - Jack Rabbits - Jacksonville, FL*

Feb. 10 - 5 Points Music Sanctuary - Roanoke, VA

Feb. 16 - Savannah Bluegrass Festival - Savannah, GA

Feb. 17 - The Fiddle and Bow Music Hall & Southern Folk Art Gallery - Honea Path, SC

Mar. 22 - Suwanee Spring Reunion - Live Oak, FL

Apr. 26 - MerleFest - Wilkesboro, NC

May 23 - Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival 2024 - Martinsville, VA

Jun. 27 - Blue Ox Music Festival - Eau Claire, WI

Jul. 11 - Pickin’ On Picknic - Saint Clair, MO

Jul. 24 - Floydfest - Floyd, VA

*denotes shows supporting Tanner Ursey

About Colby T. Helms:

At the bottom of the Southwest Virginia foothills half-a-mile from the nearest neighbor, Colby T. Helms resides in an “underground house” built by his late father on land his family has owned for generations. Helms first dreamed of making music his life at the age of 12, when a group of Blue Ridge Mountain old-time and bluegrass players performed songs like The Ozark Mountain Daredevils’ “Standing On The Rock” and the gospel classic “A Beautiful Life” at his father’s funeral in Boones Mill, VA.  He taught himself guitar, banjo, and mandolin by watching local performers and YouTube videos, and by age 18 he was a veteran performer in the Blue Ridge/Appalachian Mountains region, fronting his band The Virginia Creepers.

About Photo Finish Records:

Photo Finish Records is an independent record label boasting a diverse artist roster including alternative rock, indie pop and hip hop. The label was created and founded by Matt Galle and in 2021 celebrated its fifteenth year of success. As the label grew and developed, Matt brought in his business partner Mike Marquis to co-run the label with him. PFR is known for developing and breaking an eclectic roster of artists such as 3OH!3, SHAED, Marian Hill, MisterWives, ROZES, The Mowgli's, and newer signings The Maine, Colby T. Helms, Delacey, Billy Lockett, AVIV, Elliot Lee, and joan. SHAED’s track "Trampoline" is triple platinum in the US with over 2 billion streams worldwide, 3OH!3's debut album "Want" is certified Gold with 3 platinum singles and over 15 million singles sold which includes collaborations with Katy Perry, Wiz Khalifa, Kid Cudi, Lil' Jon and Ke$ha. Marian Hill's releases including their debut album “Act One” have sold 12 million tracks making big waves with the breakthrough hit "Down" as well as successful albums from MisterWives and their gold single "Reflections," Anthony Green, Handsome Ghost, and many others. Matt Galle and Mike Marquis are well known and respected leaders in the music industry having both been recognized in Billboard’s 40 under 40 and three years (2020, 2021, 2022) in a row on Billboard’s Indie Power Players list.  The team is located in NYC and PFR is distributed through Virgin Music, Label and Artist Services.

Follow Colby T. Helms: 

Website: colbyhelms.com 

Instagram: instagram.com/colby.t.helms 

TikTok: tiktok.com/@colby.t.helms 

Facebook: facebook.com/colbythelmsmusic 

YouTube: youtube.com/@colbythelms9940

Digital Press Kit: 

shorefire.com/roster/colby-t-helms 

Press Contacts: 

Matt Hanks | Shore Fire Media | mhanks@shorefire.com 

Andrea Evenson | Shore Fire Media | aevenson@shorefire.com 

Maria Eilert | Shore Fire Media | meilert@shorefire.com