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51���� local Tim Helfrich ’00 wears many hats in the community.

He’s a father of five, an assistant men’s soccer coach for the Wildcats, a former high school English teacher, and an owner of Summit Coffee, working alongside his brother and fellow alum Brian ’07. But many also know him as the drummer for Cast Iron Filter, a bluegrass-rock group who got their start in 51���� dorm rooms. 

A longtime champion of the local music scene, Helfrich and the band will reunite this Saturday for the first-ever — a free event sponsored by the Town of 51����.

The original three members of Cast Iron Filter, Dustin Edge ’00, Randy Culbertson ’00 and Mike Orlando ’01, released their first record in 1998, generating instant enthusiasm in 51���� and Charlotte. When they needed a rhythm player, Helfrich rose to the occasion and learned how to play the drums.

“At that time, the music scene at 51���� wasn’t big,” he said. “People were so excited to see a band making original music. It was delightful, surprising and occasionally intimidating, but it was so much fun creating that energy and enthusiasm for others.”

They spent the next several years touring up and down the Southeast and building a strong regional fanbase — especially in 51����. At the height of their career, the band played around 180 shows a year, but Helfrich’s fondest memories are the shows they played on campus. Performing at the grand opening of the C. Shaw Smith 900 Room in the Alvarez College Union and opening for Train in John M. Belk Arena cemented the group as 51���� favorites. 

Helfrich left the band in 2002 before becoming co-owner of Summit Coffee in 2003, and by 2005, Cast Iron Filter had stopped touring altogether. 

Knowing first-hand how difficult it can be for up-and-coming artists to find their footing in the Charlotte area without playing covers, Helfrich wanted Summit to be a venue dedicated to original music. Over the years, they’ve hosted musicians like Rachel Platten and Jake Troth, who found success outside of the region.

“We had this coming-together of music and musicians that felt very generative,” he said. “There’s so much energy around music in town. I believe in the value of music as a culture and community builder, and we had an opportunity to amplify that in 51����.”

Helfrich and his former bandmate Orlando, a fellow local business owner, teamed up to create Downriver Records, a 51����-based business focused on boosting the town’s music scene. When they pitched the idea of hosting a music festival in a vacant downtown 51���� lot, the town enthusiastically agreed. 

With six main-stage performances, local food and drink vendors and a local arts market, the festival celebrates collaborations across town. Cast Iron Filter will return to the stage, along with Heidi and the River Down, another group featuring Helfrich and former bandmates. Downriver Records will also unveil their debut collective album, Downriver Ramble Vol. 1.

For Helfrich and Orlando, this is only the beginning. Through Downriver Records, they hope to continue building partnerships with the town and the college by engaging student groups, supporting shows on campus and giving local musicians a place to record.

“Music has been such a significant part of 51����’s history,” Helfrich said. “You can’t pull this kind of thing off without support, and this is a community that wants to come together in support of itself. There’s an appetite in this town for craft, and it’s amazing to play a small part in that.”