New Album

My new album is almost done!

April 28, 2025 — Leave a comment

Hello friends, 

I had a great recording session a couple weeks ago at Don Latarski’s studio here in Eugene. I’m two songs closer to having an album finished! I have one more session lined up, and hope to get everything finished just in time for release at the Tenor Guitar Gathering in Astoria, May 30-31st. It’s time to start figuring out album art – YIKES! and YAY!

This is something I’ve been wanting to do for fifteen years, since the release of my first solo album Carolan’s Welcome in 2010. It’s exhilarating to be making this dream a reality. I can’t wait to have some new material out there!

If you are looking for a weekend getaway, please join me in Astoria. It’s a lovely festival, brimming with characters and talent from far and wide. There will be workshops, radio shows, evening concerts, and jam sessions into the wee hours. I look forward to reconnecting with my music friends there, but it would be really fun to see some familiar faces from Eugene too!

That’s all for now – Hopefully see you soon <3

2025 Update – Tenor Guitar Gathering, Hellbenders, Virtual Lessons and more!

March 11, 2025

Hello friends!

I am excited to announce that I’ll be performing at the 15th annual Tenor Guitar Gathering at the end of May, along with an incredible lineup of musicians from around the country. The schedule is still being finalized, but there will be jams all weekend, a radio show, evening concerts, and I’ll be giving a workshop on the neuroscience of practice. If you’re looking for an excuse to get away for a coastal adventure, this is your chance! May 30th and 31st in Astoria, OR. Learn more at www.tenorguitar.org 🌊

For the last year I’ve been trying to finish recording an album, and I’m so close! Stay tuned for that in the near future.

I’ve been thrilled to play some gigs around Eugene, OR with my friend Valentine Bentz, a very talented guitarist and songwriter. We call ourselves the Hellbenders, a play on our last names and also the name of North America’s largest salamander! I need to be better about keeping my website updated with gig announcements…. But if you have an Instagram or Facebook, give me a follow there for good measure. If something comes up last minute, I’m more likely to post it there. You can find me at @alisonhelzermusic and Valentine at @jvalbentz.

Finally, I’ve been getting back into teaching lessons over the past year. It really is a rewarding experience, and I would love to take on a few more students now that I have my online setup a little more honed in. I think I’m best at teaching beginners on tenor banjo and tenor guitar (tuned in 5ths), but anyone is welcome to contact me if interested! 

Thanks, all. Stay safe and take care,

Alison