SINGER SCOTT HELMER ATTEMPTS TO BREAK GUINNESS RECORD OF MOST LIVE CONCERTS IN 24 HOURS
Scott Helmer performs at the Tilted Kilt in Temecula on Monday, Nov. 28. Hemler is trying to break a Guinness World Record by performing more than 10 live concerts in a 24-hour-period. He started in San Diego and planned to finish Tuesday in Arizona.
Scott Helmer has come a long way since placing a loaded gun in his mouth and nearly pulling the trigger after getting embroiled in insurance fraud in 2008.
Something stopped him that dark day and he put the gun down and decided to commit his life to helping others through music.
Helmer stopped by Tilted Kilt locations in Temecula and Moreno Valley on Monday to perform quick shows in an effort to break the Guinness World Record for most live concerts headlined in 24 hours in multiple cities.
The record of 10 was set in May 2014 by country artist Hunter Hayes.
“Sometimes the very best things come from a dark place,” Helmer said in a phone interview last week. “So many people come up to me after hearing my story and tell me they feel if I was able to make it through something so terrible, then they can too.”
Helmer kicked off the run at Tin Roof in San Diego before making his way north to the Inland region and then heading east to Arizona for the final nine shows.
He arrived at Temecula’s Tilted Kilt just before 10:30 p.m. wearing a beanie, a flannel shirt and jeans, quickly set up his equipment on a small stage and launched into an acoustic rendition of “Take it Easy” by the Eagles.
Although there weren’t many people at the venue, Helmer played his heart out as if there were a massive crowd, and encouraged patrons to sing along.
“I think it’s super inspiring that he is doing this,” Chris Savé, a bartender said. “We’ve all been talking about him, wondering what the show would be like.”
Though Helmer played music in his childhood, he eventually made a living in the insurance business.
But in 2008, when the markets tanked, he leveraged clients’ money.
He was caught, but served no prison time.
He decided to turn his life around; instead of hurting people, he decided to help them.
When Helmer decided to start touring several years ago, he did so with a borrowed truck and wove his way across the United States, often sleeping at rest stops and vowing to never give up.
He went on to open up for acts such as 3 Doors Down, Heart and Eddie Money, in addition to his performances aimed at raising money for various charities. He said he has raised money for food banks, suicide and crisis prevention, military veterans and their families, pet rescues, nonprofit theaters, special needs children and adults, and high schools and colleges.
Money raised at the Tilted Kilt shows will benefit Folds of Honor, which aids military families.
Helmer won’t find out if he breaks the Guinness World Record until later this week, he said.
After singing about five songs, he packed up his equipment, thanked the small crowd and raced off into the cold night.
“The night is young,” Helmer said as he made his way for the door. “So far so good.”
Originally Published at The Press-Enterprise >
