Helton played on stages he’d only dreamed about stepping foot on— Austin City Limits, Merlefest, Stagecoach, and even the Grand Ole Opry. At the end of his tour with EmiSunshine, Helton moved back home to western North Carolina and reignited his old band The Grassabillies, which formed in 2003. He chose new band members and his first choice was Luke Edwards.
Edwards had gained popularity with his band being featured on MTV. He invited Helton and Saxon to play a performance and shortly after the three were booking shows as The Grassabillies.
The Grassabillies, a high-energy trio playing a soulful blend of bluegrass, country, and roots rock-n-roll, puts a spin on acoustic music with traditional bluegrass instruments while planning its own rules musically. All three members have versatile music backgrounds. Helton plays the upright bass and talking jive; Luke Edwards takes on the acoustic guitar, lead vocals and harmonica; and Randy Saxon plays the mandolin and banjo.
“Before we performed together, I had never met Randy, but his reputation preceded him. Just a superb, tasteful musician,” Helton said.