In the late 70s and 80s, Helm released several solo albums and toured with a band called Levon Helm and the RCO Allstars. He also began an acting career with his role as Loretta Lynn's father in "Coal Miner's Daughter". Helm received praise for his narration and supporting role opposite Sam Shepard in 1983's "The Right Stuff". In 1997 a CD by Levon Helm and the Crowmatix, "Souvenir", was released. Beginning sometime in the 1990s, Helm regularly performed Midnight Ramble concerts at his home and studio in Woodstock, New York, and toured. In 2007 Helm released a new album, an homage to his southern roots called "Dirt Farmer", which was awarded a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Album on February 9, 2008. "Electric Dirt" followed in 2009 and won the inaugural Grammy Award for Best Americana Album. His 2011 live album "Ramble at the Ryman" was nominated in the same category and won.