21-year-old Appalachian phenom Colby T. Helms shares his latest single, “Daddy’s Pocket Knife.” The vulnerable track centers around Helms’ journey through grief and reconciliation.
After the passing of his father at age 12, Helms searched everywhere for the pocket knife his father carried every day of his life, but was unable to find it. Years later, in a completely random moment, Helms happened upon it in the bottom of a drawer, right where his late father had intended him to find it, opening a flood of suppressed emotion in the process. Colby has said he lost himself when his father passed, but finding the rusty piece of steel renewed his sense of purpose and set him on the path to a life in music.
The “Daddy’s Pocket Knife” (Live Performance) video – also out today – features Helms alongside his band The Virginia Creepers, and was filmed live from his hometown of Boones Mill, VA.
Watch the “Daddy’s Pocket Knife” (Live Performance) video above and here
Listen to “Daddy’s Pocket Knife” here
The track is the second preview of Helms’ upcoming debut album, Tales Of Misfortune. Out January 19th via Photo Finish Records, the 8-track collection recounts his origin story and artistic coming-of-age, drawing inspiration from his upbringing in small-town Appalachia. After the release of the album’s lead single “Higher Ground,” American Songwriter hailed that Helms’ brand of bone-raw brand of country folk has “the name, the background, and the music to become the next big thing in country.” Pre-save Tales of Misfortune here.
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.
| Upcoming Colby T. Helms Tour Dates: 11/25 – R.W. Shucks Block Party – Martinsville, VA 12/2 – A Very Merry Larry Keel Experience at 5 Points Music Sanctuary – Roanoke, VA 5/3 – Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival 2024 – Martinsville, VA |