I don’t want to brag, but I just can’t help myself! Billy is my nephew and not only is he a great guitar player and musician in total but he’s also a great songwriter! His songs are his story and he performs them like a dream. He is also up for a Grammy for album of the year!
That's awesome for you. His rise to stardom is meteroic. I hope he stays grounded and doesn't fall victim to the excesses of success. I love his music very, VERY much, and I actively DISLIKE bluegrass in general. But I also want him to keep writing great songs that are topical and worthy of shouting into the world.
I too just heard about him (thanks Pandora). He really is amazing. Looked up his tour, disappointed he wasn't coming to Utah. Then I read he's playing a special event at Snowbird ski resort here in Utah in a few weeks. Free event, and I work there. Universe coming together. Maybe I'll get a chance to meet him.
@@ptuffgong8504 he is a good person .ask him about all his tattoos. His dad can really play also.I've played with His daddy many years back .Terry Barber heck of a picker also. The boy can tear up a mandolin as well. He has been playing since about three years old.. It paid off for him. His dad sold his martin and somehow fate stepped in and Billy seen it on eBay when he was about fifteen or sixteen and begged the guy to sell it to him on payments. The guy hesitated but billy gave him a good story and the rest is history. He is going places has already played the opry that was my dream but never made it had to work 9to 5 to support my family. Have a good one .Robert H.
@@robertharden4092 Thanks Robert. I'll ask him about the tattoos if I get a chance to meet him, which could be likely because I may help set up the stage.
@@jennyunger1067 I did meet Billy Strings. Setting up the stage when he came out to set up his own sound equipment. We chatted while working for about 15 minutes. As you'd expect, just a regular guy. Then he blew us away live. 1 week later our ski resort shut down because of Covid, so he just made it. See him live when you can. Peace.
This guy (Billy Strings) is a musician in the order of Jimi Hendrix. If yall have a chance to see him live, do it. This is music history being made right before your eyes... seriously.
Yo, Fil: As an old bluegrass guy, I kept thinking how tough it would be to alter the synch between the right and left hands. Their right hands are pretty much straight bluegrass (doing rolls), while their left hands are PUTTING FINGERS WHERE THEY SHOULDN'T GO! God those chords! So weird and wonderful. So creative. Again, Fil!
First time I ever heard about him was the video "Dust in A Baggie", he was so young I couldn't believe how talented he was. Already! He was a kid at the time. He looked like a kid of 14 or so. He's come so far since then. Incredible talent.
I just discovered Billy Strings when I watched a vid of him playing Freeborn man with Bryan Sutton maybe a week ago. Bryan is like the Tony Rice of today. Seriously high end player and I thought this kid outplayed him. Starting watching a bunch of vids of him. IMO, he could do for bluegrass what SRV did for the blues back in the 80s. He’s that good and the energy and charisma he brings gives him a star quality.
I've seen Billy Strings live a couple of times, and his playing and enthusiasm put a real sharp shine on the bluegrass. His enthusiasm brings out the best in all players sharing the stage. You can't go wrong "up front" at a Billy Strings show!
I saw that too. I would just say that Bryan was also being a gentlemen in that video and young, crazy talented Billy was indulging himself. I've seen him do that with Molly Tuttle and others also. Never the less, it absolutely displayed the rarest of talent Billy has.
So glad you found Billy Strings. This is a fellow to watch cause he's going places.This cat could do for bluegrass what Stevie Ray Vaughn did for the blues.
I like how when the banjo is playing Billy is hammering that guitar, but when accompanying the mandolin he tones it down so we can hear the mando. always conscious of what the bandmates are doing
When billy goes to his happy guitar place he has the facial expressions of a young Angus going on. Billy's playing and singing blows my mind... he is the real deal indeed
Billy is terrific. He was the featured artist at Grey Fox 2019, so he played many times during the 3 day festival with many bands. He is fabulous and can play anything with anyone. Loved seeing him perform with Molly Tuttle.
@@wingsofpegasus I think every one of his players is stellar. Billy phalen is probably the only one whose name I really know but such a strong support group for such a good player and they are all just amazing. I could watch them over and over.
I agree with everything you say here. Billy Strings is, perhaps, the most original artist for decades. Every now and then a true musical genius comes along to set the creative bar even higher. Billy is, in my opinion, a true musical genius .... and one of my favourites.
Well, hopefully you’re still around and you’re a 1/4 of the way there now, and he just keeps getting better. Apparently he’s still taking guitar lessons from people. That’s a mark of a truly good and humble musician that will always improve.
The mandolin and banjo players are admirably attuned to his style and just as good, IMO. Trad. players could not have accompanied so well. I like this a lot. I am continually amazed that new young performers are showing that this old art form is not a dead old folk music art, but a living and developing one. Dare I say were it not for the "Folk Music" revival of the early sixties, this music would have faded away to natural death.
Fil’s analysis becomes my continuing education in music appreciation. Every video contains Incredible explanations detailing significant sights and sounds on stage. I am impressed!
I loved his story about getting his dads guitar back after 6-7 years later.Billy is a fantastic flat picker and makes it look effortless. Thanks brother for adding Billy Strings....cheers!!!
Yeah, his family was so poor his dad had to sell his Martin that had a lot of sentimental value to the whole family, and seven years later Billy found it for sale on ebay and pleaded with the owner not to sell it to anyone but him. It took him 3 months to get the money. His dad cried when he gave it to him. Beautiful story!
I've played with Billy and it should be said that he is one of the nicest, most humble player I've had the pleasure of sharing a stage with. All I would say is that his given name, William Apostle is cooler than Billy Strings.
I'm just a fan of good music of different genres. I especially love rock, blues, and some bluegrass. I have to admit there is some of all those genres I don't care for. So I guess I'm more attracted to certain artists than genre. I just recently found Billy Strings, and I love Billy's sound. I've also seen him play banjo and mandolin.
I've watched few with Billy and Molly and it always seems to me that Molly is under-featured. I think she is probably ( No "probably about it! ) just as good as Billy, when you get right down to it. She's just less flamboyant.
I discovered Billy only two weeks ago. He is tearing up America! Taking Bluegrass into so many different musical directions. Even the old timers are buzzing about Billy. I sent a email to a friend. Please ck. Out Billy. A email came back within minutes. I have been trying to book Billy for a concert! Believe that!!!! He was just voted top guitar player in 2019 and best new artist!
Imagine being able to write lyrics and music, then be masterful enough to play that music, and have the voice to sing those lyrics, and have the personality to draw talented musicians to you to form your band, and have the stage presence to bring all that together and wow every audience. A perfect storm of talent! I'm a real fan, and I just _yesterday_ heard this guy for the first time.
To get the full Billy Strings experience, find one of his full length concerts and watch the entire thing. The way he weaves traditional bluegrass playing with spacey jams and crazy effects is amazing! I saw him 5 times last year and he blew my mind every damn time!
Coming from a bluegrass background I love how Billy plays his version of the brand. His ability to take it beyond traditional places is a unique and special skill. Billy is a generational talent.
We call that Newgrass! Check out The Mighty Pines, The Waydown Wanderers, The Imfamous Stringdusters...all amazing & excellent musicians reviving this sound! I, too, was raised on this stuff (my dad was the banjoist in a bluegrass band, The Downstate Ramblers). It warms my heart to hear it getting new life!
This is American music as deep as it gets. I remember when I was a kid visiting my aunt and uncle, and every Friday night they would bust out their matching Stratocasters and a case of cheap beer, and blast out Ralph Stanley, Hank Williams, ‘Jambalaya’ (which my mom’s dog would howl along with when she played it on the harmonica.) If you’re religious, you felt like God was in the room with you, drinking a beer and laughing at Uncle Richie’s southern accent. I’m a Randy Rhoads/Tony Iommi kid, but, they put this music in my blood and it makes me happy every time I hear it. Good job, man. This is a great discussion. I got into Billy Strings when I found his amazing cover of “I’ve Just Seen the Rock of Ages” by Ralph Stanley, with the cute country girl singing backup.
I discovered him and Molly at the same time. 😱 Talk about talent. Both are great. There are some GREAT musicians out there you just have to search which is a damn shame!
Wow! This is great! I have played Bluegrass music since the 70s, and actually played (for a pitiful) living for 15 years with the banjo. All the old standards of course. But what a blast this is. I'm so glad to see people twist the music, that is what keeps it alive. The Grateful Dead was good for doing this too. By the way, even though I didn't make any money playing, it was by far the best time of my life.
The music world has needed Billy Strings for quite some time. He is absolutely masterful and intentional with everything he does- from the music compositions, lyrics, and of course, his sheer virtuosity on the guitar. He embodies so much of what has been lost from the music from the 60's and 70's, and has found a way to make Bluegrass palatable for just about anyone. As I've listened to his music, I can hear so many influences of past musicians and bands. When they get to the break down on this song, I hear "The Doors." And if you listen to his track "Home," you can hear Carlos Santana in his electric guitar playing. Billy Strings incorporates so many interesting elements into his music that there is never time for boredom while listening. I can't wait to see how he continues to grow and evolve as a musician.
8 months later - he grows more AWSOME by the month! Just watched his recent set with Bela Fleck - supernatural!!! He’s a long haired hippy now, toting a crazy good Thompson dread. He plays with action so high, most of us would run! I’m old. I’ve seen em all - Clarence, Doc, Tony - you name it - this young man is as good, or better. He’s got a long way to go - he’ll be one of the all time greats! And he’s BORN to sing bluegrass! Even more than Skaggs ! Takes me back to the mid 70’s when us hippies of the time, embraced bluegrass as opposed to disco. John Hartford, Seldom Scene, Marc O’Connor - oh, jeeze, I’m tearing up!
Fil, this one great player and singer, Billy is carrying on a southern bluegrass tradition. @roxannamann, you should be so proud of him. My bluegrass friends love him . Dust in a Baggie is one of my favorites.
Nice! ,I suggested Billy to you a while back (don`t know if that was an influence ) but happy to see you share it. I saw him live recently and he tore it up. When the band took a setbreak , he stayed on stage and took old school bluegrass requests from the crowd and killed those ,on guitar and vocally,also
First time is saw Billy was at the John Hartford Memorial Festival. He was the young gun on the small stages. But they brought him up on the Mainstage Grand finale to lead the show off with about 30 some musicians. Need to say he came back two years later and was on the mainstage. Not a headline but will be next time . I shoot video and photography there and many other places. And have hung with him a bit . Humble and kind dude for sure .
Hartford festival is just up the road...I need to go, my buddy Tiny/Mace said it was his favorite festival and that was high praise knowing his festival pedigree vending at the Grateful Dead shows, then Salmon, Phish, Schwagstock, Roo and a zillion others. Holland Indiana, less than 2 hours away.
Wow...the oddball tonalities and the insane sync of the band are so cool. Reminds me of the old dead stuff where they just went into that whirling give and take. I need to see This guy live
He's so good he's even got his own wind machine! ;) No, but seriously. This is the kind of thing I've been hoping to see for...maybe 20 years now. A young artist who can actually play, and who also does what I think musicians are supposed to do, which is to build on the old to create something new. These days, young kids are mostly clueless about any music older than a week, so they completely lack any sort of musical knowledge and foundation on which to build new, high quality shit. And I especially get annoyed when they claim to have "discovered" a sound that was popular 30 years ago. Like gated reverb drums. REALLY? I know it's popular right now, but that's nearly 40 years old. Now, how can they develop that sound when they don't even know where it came from? They're running while standing still by presenting the old as new. At least Billy's trying to do something different, and if more people had the balls/interest to do that, I think we could still revive current music from the hell in which it resides.
+teppolundgren Well put and could not agree with you more! Although, I do think there are great musicians around-- Billy and his Band prove it--they don't get the air play that they deserve from the mainstream BS media.
I'd suggest you listen to Progressive or Contemporary Bluegrass. Lots of young musicians, especially women, are gravitating to it because you don't have to put up with all the Glamour Crap you do in Pop and Country now. Listen to Molly Tuttle, Sierra Hull, Sarah Jarosz and others.
@@stevenroland7472 Older musicians like Chris Thile and Bela Fleck have also been producing wonderfully creative and diverse music over the past 20 years (significantly longer in Fleck's case).
Fil, you never cease to amaze me with your insights. Billy strings is incredible, but I didn’t know precisely why. Your input radically expands the whole conversation. I also love: meet me at the creek.
Besides his incredible talent, Billy is an awesome guy; I read that he donated 250 guitars, in person, to the kids at his old elementary school. If you listen to the lyrics of "Dust in a Baggie" and "Turmoil and Tinfoil", you realize he had a hard upbringing surrounded by drugs which took the lives of many of his friends, and his biological father when Billy was only 2. He is a very talented songwriter as well. Luckily he had Terry Barber as a step father and mentor.
It's great to hear you talking about Billy. Found Bill Strings, his music and band just a few weeks back and can't get enough. His new album is out early September. Two songs from the album have been released, Taking Water and Out of the MIre. His mix of music is sensational. He's being discovered by a lot of people right now. Great joy! They tour all over America a lot. I'm in the UK so maybe he'll make it here if enough people hear his great music.
Ive been plaing guitar since themid 60s, lotsa breaks in between, but on my best day I wouldnt pick up a guitar around this kid. I would 'nt tell him I played. haha
Isn’t it gr8 what we have traded and learned from one another! I play mandolin, guitar, banjo, ukulele, all keyboards and even a harpsichord....I learned this all from my grandma Anderson from Edinburgh Scotland!
You just gotta love the enthusiasm he displays, and it's obvious the band is having a lot of fun with this. I also love the discordance he throws in... that will probably hear the ears of traditional bluegrass fans, but it's tasty to me. Nice catch, Fil!
Fil, you're awesome and such a pleasure to listen to. You bring the music alive with all your background and explanation and I'm only a 3 chord guitar player. I love when you pull one of your axes out as you are quite the guitarists as well.
This guy holds serve well live. His live shows are really powerful. The voice/accent changes constantly and is quite good. He can play many styles and his band are all virtuosos. Thanks for reviewing. You are spot on in your review. 👍🏻
My question is how in the world you hear about these eclectic players all the way across the pond? LOL I hope we all realize how rare it is for a BAND to come together with that league of talent and originality.. Billy is lucky to have backing by that caliper of musicianship.. You say he "playing to the crowd ".. I say he's manipulating the crowd lol.. taking them somewhere unexpected.. My nephew, turned me on to Billy Strings recently.. thanks for the analysis..
Wow! It's hard to be original in Bluegrass. Whole band is smokin' Thanks so much. Not often I get stumped on Bluegrass players of this caliber I watched it twice. That kid is REALLY having a ball :-)
Seek out vid of him and his step dad jamming and singing in a living room for 20 minutes..... I haven't smiled as much in all my decades as you do in one clip: You ever cramp up?
First time I saw William was in 2013, and then again in 2014, at Earthwork Harvest Gathering. Sunday wake up, or should I say bedtime, in the morning, when he came on with Don, we all knew.... Here is the moment. Billy is now a Michigan, mostly Northern, Icon.... Wheatland, Hoxey, Harvest, and many more. The festivals in Northern Michigan, and some parts of the south & west coast, are beyond brilliant. The music diversity, the culture, the atmosphere of goodwill and peace are class. This is what spawned Billy Strings and others. Come, come join us in blessings and gratitude. It really is a "Good Sign"
Love these guys. And you help me appreciate them even more! I would give a nod to the New Grass Revival for blazing the path for creativity from traditional bluegrass.
@@CappyKitty Oh Yeah! SO Awesome!!! Sam is one of my husband's (Gary Laney) best friends. Gary engineered/recorded a couple of New Grass Revival albums & a bunch of other hit records with him. Sam also helped Gary get through his cancer ordeal--being a cancer survivor himself. He's an Amazing person!
Hmmm. Jazz is a broad term. Bela Fleck and Tony Rice are great players, and innovators, and masters of their instruments. They take my breath away. Neither of them make names like Brubeck or Monk cross my mind.
@@futuredirected -- Oh, Samantha, you haven't dug deeply enough into the music of Bela Fleck (my namesake!) He's a very good bebop player - on the 5-string! True, though: he isn't _known_ as a jazz player, but he can sit in on almost any jazz standard and sound "genuine." /// Tony Rice has recorded some jazz tunes, but he isn't (he admits) a player of modern jazz.
Béla Scialoja Thank You, Béla. I do love all the wondrous music Béla makes on a banjo. Improvising around a Coltrane tune on a banjo isn’t the same as fusing bluegrass and Blue Rondo right down the middle. That’s what I hear in the track that Fil presented tonight. I hope I’m not offending anyone. That’s not my intent. I’m not saying he’s better or they’re not, just that no one else is doing quite this.
Weeeheeeeey, another uber skilled virtuoso young un to show me I cant play diddly squat after 35 years... 😝😅🤔😫😭😭 😎 the band is like mumford & sons on steroids and some '🎵🎶dust from the baggy 🎶🎵'... guess I'll just have to be another fan! I feel bad for people who say there's no good music nowadays... the world is abound with it.
Fil... I could tell you SO did not want to stop that track before you did!...😊.. I didn't want you to either!...😆He is magnificent!...Yes, how unique was that song?!...I have not heard of Billy Strings before. Apparently I don't listen to bluegrass enough, I'll check him out further. And as always you do a thorough explanation of every track you share...✌❤🤘
Lori Pond hi, there's clips on TH-cam of Billy and Sierra Hull , she was IBMA mandolin player of the year for the 5th time this year also Billy and Molly Tuttle IBMA guitar player for the second time this year, re Rosanne Cash I can't find the Country Music People mag. interview when she talked about Walk the Line ,if you look up Rosanne Cash on Walk the line movie a Guardian interview should come up,Happy New Year, greetings from Birmingham U K
@@robertsmyth4998 .... Hi Robert.. Thank you for the info on more Bluegrass from Billy! I will check it out. And as well, for more info about the Rosanne Cash Guardian Mag interview. I would be very interested in hearing her story.... Happy New Year greetings from the USA.....✌😊
been a while watching your channel....so happy that you went here...very Appalachian early Scotch-Irish back woods Americana...like you said "turned on it's head"...with a Sabbath-esque chord progression.
I'm not sure what I enjoyed the most - Billy Strings or Fil's analysis! Fil really helps me appreciate the performances with more depth than I ever would without it. Thanx Fil!
Usually these split screen analysis by "experts" is weak for a coupla reasons. First the person analyzing is not as good as the artist they're judging. Also, there tends to be a sort of "this was great. The way they do this or that is really hard to do." But this was really good. He got into influences, tipped his hat to the greatness of the band (although I think the mandolin player has changed), talked about fusion of influences, risk taking, and genre bending. One thing "Pegasus" didn't mention was the quality of songwriting. And I wonder why. Maybe, because it follows a basic bluegrass form but with cool deviations, the songwriting is an after thought during a critique. But even if that was true, the lyrics blaze. In some ways, this must've been a tough artist to critique because he's so damned good, so authentic, so orignal... there's so much to say. But, yeah, this was head and shoulder above most of the folks who try to judge other artist. thanks.
All my life, I've never been into bluegrass music. It never fails though, that every time I see a bluegrass band, wether live or on video, I can't stop watching! These players are amazing!👍😎🎸🎶
Fil.I’ve seen quite a lot of videos, and to straight, you’re a prime example of music education to all future musicians. I’m an old fart, that played with Vassar Clements and Tony, but the list goes on……. Keep up the fantastic work of analysis, Fil. I love it.
Excellent review ...WELL explained! but the BEST part was the look on your face throughout the entire song...big smile that appears to be on hold as you continue to watch...kinda like you are about to say something with each note of the song, but can't because you don't want to put the next notes on hold ...I discovered Billy last year and I haven't been able to stop watching ...I'm just BLOWN AWAY by his unique talent!
I don’t want to brag, but I just can’t help myself! Billy is my nephew and not only is he a great guitar player and musician in total but he’s also a great songwriter! His songs are his story and he performs them like a dream. He is also up for a Grammy for album of the year!
And he’s really an authentic, honest, down to earth in all the videos I’ve seen. It’s refreshing to see.
That's awesome for you. His rise to stardom is meteroic. I hope he stays grounded and doesn't fall victim to the excesses of success. I love his music very, VERY much, and I actively DISLIKE bluegrass in general. But I also want him to keep writing great songs that are topical and worthy of shouting into the world.
Holy shit congrats on the good genes
That’s awesome! He’s so talented and literally all I listen to at this point! Tell him Jimmy from Texas says hello!
A few years ago he dropped my jaw to the ground at the Walnut Valley Festival in Kansas. I've been a fan ever since.
You ain't heard nothing yet this kid is a virtuoso. I've been playing for forty years and I can't keep up with him. This kid is the real deal.
I too just heard about him (thanks Pandora). He really is amazing. Looked up his tour, disappointed he wasn't coming to Utah. Then I read he's playing a special event at Snowbird ski resort here in Utah in a few weeks. Free event, and I work there. Universe coming together. Maybe I'll get a chance to meet him.
@@ptuffgong8504 he is a good person .ask him about all his tattoos. His dad can really play also.I've played with His daddy many years back .Terry Barber heck of a picker also. The boy can tear up a mandolin as well. He has been playing since about three years old.. It paid off for him. His dad sold his martin and somehow fate stepped in and Billy seen it on eBay when he was about fifteen or sixteen and begged the guy to sell it to him on payments. The guy hesitated but billy gave him a good story and the rest is history. He is going places has already played the opry that was my dream but never made it had to work 9to 5 to support my family. Have a good one .Robert H.
@@robertharden4092 Thanks Robert. I'll ask him about the tattoos if I get a chance to meet him, which could be likely because I may help set up the stage.
Did you get to meet Billy? I HAVE GOT TO GO SEE THAT BOY PLAY. He blows me away on videos of him, imagine live....❤️😊
@@jennyunger1067 I did meet Billy Strings. Setting up the stage when he came out to set up his own sound equipment. We chatted while working for about 15 minutes. As you'd expect, just a regular guy. Then he blew us away live. 1 week later our ski resort shut down because of Covid, so he just made it. See him live when you can. Peace.
That whole band kicks ass.
They've been grinding and are telepathic on stage pushing one another. So many fantastic musicians sitting in with them.
This guy (Billy Strings) is a musician in the order of Jimi Hendrix. If yall have a chance to see him live, do it. This is music history being made right before your eyes... seriously.
Not an understatement. 5 years ago I told my mom this will be the first modern bluegrass star to headline stadiums...and he did this summer.
Yo, Fil:
As an old bluegrass guy, I kept thinking how tough it would be to alter the synch between the right and left hands. Their right hands are pretty much straight bluegrass (doing rolls), while their left hands are PUTTING FINGERS WHERE THEY SHOULDN'T GO! God those chords! So weird and wonderful. So creative. Again, Fil!
Thanks Mark!
Dude is a guitar genius
My favorite song of Billy Strings is "Dust In A Baggie".
Mine also.
WAIT. This is Dust in a baggie guy??? FUCK YES.
First time I ever heard about him was the video "Dust in A Baggie", he was so young I couldn't believe how talented he was. Already! He was a kid at the time. He looked like a kid of 14 or so. He's come so far since then. Incredible talent.
This guy lives in a sea of so much talent and is still extremely special. He is one of the most talented musicians today.
I just discovered Billy Strings when I watched a vid of him playing Freeborn man with Bryan Sutton maybe a week ago. Bryan is like the Tony Rice of today. Seriously high end player and I thought this kid outplayed him. Starting watching a bunch of vids of him. IMO, he could do for bluegrass what SRV did for the blues back in the 80s. He’s that good and the energy and charisma he brings gives him a star quality.
Cool!
Same! I saw that Bryan Sutton vid and I was amazed by him!. I need to practice haha
I've seen Billy Strings live a couple of times, and his playing and enthusiasm put a real sharp shine on the bluegrass. His enthusiasm brings out the best in all players sharing the stage. You can't go wrong "up front" at a Billy Strings show!
I saw that too. I would just say that Bryan was also being a gentlemen in that video and young, crazy talented Billy was indulging himself. I've seen him do that with Molly Tuttle and others also. Never the less, it absolutely displayed the rarest of talent Billy has.
You gotta see him live the videos dont do the whole band or him any justice
So glad you found Billy Strings. This is a fellow to watch cause he's going places.This cat could do for bluegrass what Stevie Ray Vaughn did for the blues.
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Great analogy...well stated. Billy is reshaping Bluegrass...with edge.
That’s a great line....you nailed it! (And I accidentally hit the thumbs down button....please ignore😂)
He and Molly Tuttle used to be roommates. Can you imagine what it was like at their place when they were home from the road?
Yep. and they're planning a project together
If I lived with Molly Tuttle I wouldn't be doing too much pickin, if you catch my drift. lol
No I cannot she is one of the best flat pickers out there for real!! I would’ve loved to have been a neighbor within earshot...🤣🤣
@@dwoodard5717 Same, but Billy
I like how when the banjo is playing Billy is hammering that guitar, but when accompanying the mandolin he tones it down so we can hear the mando. always conscious of what the bandmates are doing
Smiling from ear to ear, and waiting 3 minutes into the song before jumping in. That's when you know Fil is digging what he's hearing! Nice.
When billy goes to his happy guitar place he has the facial expressions of a young Angus going on. Billy's playing and singing blows my mind... he is the real deal indeed
Angus was the first thing I thought of to!
I thought of Martin sheen or Emilio Estevez lol dude is Killin it .
Billy is terrific. He was the featured artist at Grey Fox 2019, so he played many times during the 3 day festival with many bands. He is fabulous and can play anything with anyone. Loved seeing him perform with Molly Tuttle.
So glad to see you cover Billy .. I thought I was the only person on the planet following him. He’s amazing. Great video 💯🎸
The whole band is awesome.
👍😁
They have to be! It wouldn't work otherwise.
Billy Failings on the banjo keeps up with him note for note.
Allen The Magic Goose it’s incredible to watch.
@@wingsofpegasus I think every one of his players is stellar. Billy phalen is probably the only one whose name I really know but such a strong support group for such a good player and they are all just amazing. I could watch them over and over.
So glad you got around to Billy Strings. He has brought something to Bluegrass that I have never seen. Thanks.
No problem!
I agree with everything you say here. Billy Strings is, perhaps, the most original artist for decades. Every now and then a true musical genius comes along to set the creative bar even higher. Billy is, in my opinion, a true musical genius .... and one of my favourites.
I hope I’m around in 20 years if for no other reason than to see how good Billy is at 45.
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Well, hopefully you’re still around and you’re a 1/4 of the way there now, and he just keeps getting better. Apparently he’s still taking guitar lessons from people. That’s a mark of a truly good and humble musician that will always improve.
This level of musicianship doesn’t get better after 30
He's also adding a lot of jazz elements. Not just straight jazz, but outside the lines jazz. He deserves the accolades he's receiving.
The mandolin and banjo players are admirably attuned to his style and just as good, IMO.
Trad. players could not have accompanied so well.
I like this a lot. I am continually amazed that new young performers are showing that this old art form is not a dead old folk music art, but a living and developing one. Dare I say were it not for the "Folk Music" revival of the early sixties, this music would have faded away to natural death.
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@@wingsofpegasus Thanks for the thumb. I like that you don't grind axes, forgive the pun :-)
Fil’s analysis becomes my continuing education in music appreciation. Every video contains Incredible explanations detailing significant sights and sounds on stage. I am impressed!
Bill Monroe always said that you should learn the style and then create your own. Billy has taken it to heart.
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TH-cam recommended me Billy a few weeks ago and i got hooked.. I am not a huge Bluegrass fan but this guy is just unreal..
I loved his story about getting his dads guitar back after 6-7 years later.Billy is a fantastic flat picker and makes it look effortless. Thanks brother for adding Billy Strings....cheers!!!
Yeah, his family was so poor his dad had to sell his Martin that had a lot of sentimental value to the whole family, and seven years later Billy found it for sale on ebay and pleaded with the owner not to sell it to anyone but him. It took him 3 months to get the money. His dad cried when he gave it to him. Beautiful story!
@@shadowsflame_4007
I've seen videos of them playing together. They have a great father, son, fellow musician bond.
@@shadowsflame_4007 it almost sounds similar to someone having to sell their Mercedes because they were so poor but I get your drift
I don't think that there is a fretted instrument or genre that Fil doesn't like! Lol. It is just as fun to watch him as the artists he is featuring.
Agreed. 👍🏼
Andrew Puckett, seeing familiar screen names night after night your not alone here.
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Andrew Puckett Agreed! And he deserves WAY more subscribers! He def knows his stuff and has a great way of explaining things.
no kidding!
Billy Strings music is about the best new thing I've come across for many years. Absolutely sensational.
He's a damn master of simple observation in life
@@porkchop803scwilliams9 You got that right
Regards from the Cotswolds uk
💯 agree!!!
I loved this! Saw Billy Strings at Red Rock Canyon in Colorado 4 years ago, it was an awesome experience! ❤ 🎸
The banjo, bass and the mandolin etc., do a heck of a job helping to "glue it all together, too." All these guys are fire.
I've played with Billy and it should be said that he is one of the nicest, most humble player I've had the pleasure of sharing a stage with. All I would say is that his given name, William Apostle is cooler than Billy Strings.
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and I thought Billy Strings was a cool name...
He wouldn't be as good if his name was William Apostle. That's a fact.
His name is William APOSTOL!!!
Billy strings has gotten me to like and enjoy bluegrass
Hell yeah he's amazing! Check out Benjamin Todd (Lost Dog Street Band, Spit Shine, Barefoot Surrender) Tyler Childers, and Colter Wall. 👍👍
I'm just a fan of good music of different genres. I especially love rock, blues, and some bluegrass. I have to admit there is some of all those genres I don't care for. So I guess I'm more attracted to certain artists than genre. I just recently found Billy Strings, and I love Billy's sound. I've also seen him play banjo and mandolin.
Incredible talent in that band. As for Billy… no superlatives good enough to describe his talents.
Love me some Billy Strings! Give Molly Tuttle some love too. She is another rising star in bluegrass.
Thanks!
That show last week just WOW. Thank God for web casts and the Goats.
Post a link!!
I love it when we share other artist. You tube is so useful for music. Thanks man! Molly turtle is grand.
I've watched few with Billy and Molly and it always seems to me that Molly is under-featured. I think she is probably ( No "probably about it! ) just as good as Billy, when you get right down to it. She's just less flamboyant.
I discovered Billy only two weeks ago. He is tearing up America! Taking Bluegrass into so many different musical directions. Even the old timers are buzzing about Billy. I sent a email to a friend. Please ck. Out Billy. A email came back within minutes. I have been trying to book Billy for a concert! Believe that!!!! He was just voted top guitar player in 2019 and best new artist!
Being Scotch-Irish, I don't want to see bluegrass disappear; it's a direct link with the old countries.
Amen dude.... Billy don't be a hero dance with who brung ya..
So true....I always try to tell people that this would have been with a fife and a bagpipe backing them up in earlier times. Cheers.
Imagine being able to write lyrics and music, then be masterful enough to play that music, and have the voice to sing those lyrics, and have the personality to draw talented musicians to you to form your band, and have the stage presence to bring all that together and wow every audience. A perfect storm of talent! I'm a real fan, and I just _yesterday_ heard this guy for the first time.
To get the full Billy Strings experience, find one of his full length concerts and watch the entire thing. The way he weaves traditional bluegrass playing with spacey jams and crazy effects is amazing! I saw him 5 times last year and he blew my mind every damn time!
Cool!
Redrocks concert is amazing!
Bluegrass SHREDDING!! Nice choice Fil.
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Billy cut his teeth on metal.
IT'S LIKE TOOL, BUT BLUEGRASS.
WHERE'S DANNY?
Edit: I think My heart just grew three sizes.
I'm 45 and this kid has given me faith in the future of music. I love what he does for grateful dead songs. Amazing 👏
My boy Billy representing Traverse City right! Glad you found him! He's nuts.
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Coming from a bluegrass background I love how Billy plays his version of the brand. His ability to take it beyond traditional places is a unique and special skill.
Billy is a generational talent.
We call that Newgrass! Check out The Mighty Pines, The Waydown Wanderers, The Imfamous Stringdusters...all amazing & excellent musicians reviving this sound! I, too, was raised on this stuff (my dad was the banjoist in a bluegrass band, The Downstate Ramblers). It warms my heart to hear it getting new life!
This is American music as deep as it gets. I remember when I was a kid visiting my aunt and uncle, and every Friday night they would bust out their matching Stratocasters and a case of cheap beer, and blast out Ralph Stanley, Hank Williams, ‘Jambalaya’ (which my mom’s dog would howl along with when she played it on the harmonica.) If you’re religious, you felt like God was in the room with you, drinking a beer and laughing at Uncle Richie’s southern accent. I’m a Randy Rhoads/Tony Iommi kid, but, they put this music in my blood and it makes me happy every time I hear it.
Good job, man. This is a great discussion. I got into Billy Strings when I found his amazing cover of “I’ve Just Seen the Rock of Ages” by Ralph Stanley, with the cute country girl singing backup.
bust'n out some Ralph Stanley on a stratocaster ; now that would be something to see.
Billy is the freshest, most transcendent voice in the Bluegrass genre, and maybe any music genre currently popular.
Go see Billy Strings live... AMAZING!
Elizabeth Adams one of the best shows I’ve ever been to
I'm on welfare. I'd blow my food budget for a Billy Strings concert.
Just did a few days ago! Even better in person! It was like seeing a bluegrass SRV or Hendrix or Zepplin or something.
Elizabeth Adams best live performance I’ve ever seen
I discovered him and Molly at the same time. 😱 Talk about talent. Both are great. There are some GREAT musicians out there you just have to search which is a damn shame!
Wow! This is great!
I have played Bluegrass music since the 70s, and actually played (for a pitiful) living for 15 years with the banjo. All the old standards of course. But what a blast this is. I'm so glad to see people twist the music, that is what keeps it alive. The Grateful Dead was good for doing this too.
By the way, even though I didn't make any money playing, it was by far the best time of my life.
The music world has needed Billy Strings for quite some time. He is absolutely masterful and intentional with everything he does- from the music compositions, lyrics, and of course, his sheer virtuosity on the guitar. He embodies so much of what has been lost from the music from the 60's and 70's, and has found a way to make Bluegrass palatable for just about anyone. As I've listened to his music, I can hear so many influences of past musicians and bands. When they get to the break down on this song, I hear "The Doors." And if you listen to his track "Home," you can hear Carlos Santana in his electric guitar playing.
Billy Strings incorporates so many interesting elements into his music that there is never time for boredom while listening. I can't wait to see how he continues to grow and evolve as a musician.
Bro Fil... I believe Billy Strings is the "savior" of guitar pickin' bluegrass , amazing young man total beast on ANYTHING WITH STRINGS
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8 months later - he grows more AWSOME by the month! Just watched his recent set with Bela Fleck - supernatural!!!
He’s a long haired hippy now, toting a crazy good Thompson dread.
He plays with action so high, most of us would run!
I’m old. I’ve seen em all - Clarence, Doc, Tony - you name it - this young man is as good, or better. He’s got a long way to go - he’ll be one of the all time greats!
And he’s BORN to sing bluegrass! Even more than Skaggs !
Takes me back to the mid 70’s when us hippies of the time, embraced bluegrass as opposed to disco. John Hartford, Seldom Scene, Marc O’Connor - oh, jeeze, I’m tearing up!
Yeah. IMO, Bluegrass was getting a bit stale and not that original. With Billy Strings and Molly Tuttle hitting their stride Bluegrass Lives! 😎✌
I watched that same video.
You are absolutely right he will be one of the greats and that is foresure
Fil, this one great player and singer, Billy is carrying on a southern bluegrass tradition. @roxannamann, you should be so proud of him. My bluegrass friends love him . Dust in a Baggie is one of my favorites.
Dude is super talented.. he takes bluegrass to a whole new place
Nice! ,I suggested Billy to you a while back (don`t know if that was an influence ) but happy to see you share it. I saw him live recently and he tore it up. When the band took a setbreak , he stayed on stage and took old school bluegrass requests from the crowd and killed those ,on guitar and vocally,also
Cool!
First time is saw Billy was at the John Hartford Memorial Festival. He was the young gun on the small stages.
But they brought him up on the Mainstage Grand finale to lead the show off with about 30 some musicians.
Need to say he came back two years later and was on the mainstage. Not a headline but will be next time .
I shoot video and photography there and many other places. And have hung with him a bit . Humble and kind dude for sure .
Hartford festival is just up the road...I need to go, my buddy Tiny/Mace said it was his favorite festival and that was high praise knowing his festival pedigree vending at the Grateful Dead shows, then Salmon, Phish, Schwagstock, Roo and a zillion others. Holland Indiana, less than 2 hours away.
Wow.................that was an incredibly technical and accurate assessment in which I agreed with fully.
This has that energy of some old YMSB when Jeff Austin was still with them.
The good ole days!
Wow...the oddball tonalities and the insane sync of the band are so cool. Reminds me of the old dead stuff where they just went into that whirling give and take. I need to see This guy live
Wow, talk about jamming. These guys are all pro musicians and they're opening a new door on bluegrass and acoustics!
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What a great and unique sound one of the best artists you've had featured so far. Really loved it
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He's so good he's even got his own wind machine! ;)
No, but seriously. This is the kind of thing I've been hoping to see for...maybe 20 years now. A young artist who can actually play, and who also does what I think
musicians are supposed to do, which is to build on the old to create something new. These days, young kids are mostly clueless about any music older than a week,
so they completely lack any sort of musical knowledge and foundation on which to build new, high quality shit. And I especially get annoyed when they claim to
have "discovered" a sound that was popular 30 years ago. Like gated reverb drums. REALLY? I know it's popular right now, but that's nearly 40 years old.
Now, how can they develop that sound when they don't even know where it came from? They're running while standing still by presenting the old as new.
At least Billy's trying to do something different, and if more people had the balls/interest to do that, I think we could still revive current music from the hell in which it resides.
Amen!
+teppolundgren Well put and could not agree with you more! Although, I do think there are great musicians around-- Billy and his Band prove it--they don't get the air play that they deserve from the mainstream BS media.
I'd suggest you listen to Progressive or Contemporary Bluegrass. Lots of young musicians, especially women, are gravitating to it because you don't have to put up with all the Glamour Crap you do in Pop and Country now. Listen to Molly Tuttle, Sierra Hull, Sarah Jarosz and others.
@@stevenroland7472 Older musicians like Chris Thile and Bela Fleck have also been producing wonderfully creative and diverse music over the past 20 years (significantly longer in Fleck's case).
Fil, you never cease to amaze me with your insights. Billy strings is incredible, but I didn’t know precisely why. Your input radically expands the whole conversation. I also love: meet me at the creek.
Besides his incredible talent, Billy is an awesome guy; I read that he donated 250 guitars, in person, to the kids at his old elementary school. If you listen to the lyrics of "Dust in a Baggie" and "Turmoil and Tinfoil", you realize he had a hard upbringing surrounded by drugs which took the lives of many of his friends, and his biological father when Billy was only 2. He is a very talented songwriter as well. Luckily he had Terry Barber as a step father and mentor.
Just a fantastic Artist , I'd love to have seen Roy Clark Jam with this Kid. (RIP Roy)
It's great to hear you talking about Billy. Found Bill Strings, his music and band just a few weeks back and can't get enough. His new album is out early September. Two songs from the album have been released, Taking Water and Out of the MIre. His mix of music is sensational. He's being discovered by a lot of people right now. Great joy! They tour all over America a lot. I'm in the UK so maybe he'll make it here if enough people hear his great music.
Really solid kid. He just needs to stay away from tobacco, weed, alcohol, women, money, excessively rich food and he will have a long career.
That's what 90% of music is written from though!
@@markmetzger2503 I was kidding but it is true that some of the best music out there did benefit from the items listed above!
Life
That's like saying he needs to stay away from breathing!
No chance it goes with the territory
Billy Strings! The SRV of bluegrass!!! Period! Just amazing!
Never heard this guy! Super cool!
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I've been a fan of bluegrass my entire life. At 48, I've now heard a new bluegrass sound that is truly groundbreaking!
Ive been plaing guitar since themid 60s, lotsa breaks in between, but on my best day I wouldnt pick up a guitar around this kid. I would 'nt tell him I played. haha
Dude that’s the funniest comment I’ve read on TH-cam. Hahahaha
Btw. Me neither. He’s too badass
Isn’t it gr8 what we have traded and learned from one another! I play mandolin, guitar, banjo, ukulele, all keyboards and even a harpsichord....I learned this all from my grandma Anderson from Edinburgh Scotland!
You just gotta love the enthusiasm he displays, and it's obvious the band is having a lot of fun with this. I also love the discordance he throws in... that will probably hear the ears of traditional bluegrass fans, but it's tasty to me. Nice catch, Fil!
Oops! I meant "hurt" the ears of traditional bluegrass fans...
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he just made bluegrass metal asf!!
Fil, you're awesome and such a pleasure to listen to. You bring the music alive with all your background and explanation and I'm only a 3 chord guitar player. I love when you pull one of your axes out as you are quite the guitarists as well.
Another "New Grass Revival" baby. LOVE it! Sam Bush & Bela Fleck must be so proud!
This might give you some idea about that. Who's that in the doorway?
th-cam.com/video/0l2ebo7DV5s/w-d-xo.html
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He's played w/ Sam a handful of times.
They love him, and play with him often.
@@CappyKitty Sweeeet! Thanx for sharing!!
To me he is a mix of Frank Zappa, Jerry Garcia, Doc Watson, pure genius and a wonderful young man.
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Hah! Nice fusion of those three plus Béla Fleck :-)
Doc Watson for sure
Surely a bit of Rory Gallagher in there as well.
And a touch of (I know this is a weird one) Gordon Lightfoot.
This guy holds serve well live. His live shows are really powerful. The voice/accent changes constantly and is quite good. He can play many styles and his band are all virtuosos. Thanks for reviewing. You are spot on in your review. 👍🏻
My question is how in the world you hear about these eclectic players all the way across the pond? LOL
I hope we all realize how rare it is for a BAND to come together with that league of talent and originality..
Billy is lucky to have backing by that caliper of musicianship..
You say he "playing to the crowd ".. I say he's manipulating the crowd lol.. taking them somewhere unexpected..
My nephew, turned me on to Billy Strings recently.. thanks for the analysis..
Wow! It's hard to be original in Bluegrass.
Whole band is smokin'
Thanks so much.
Not often I get stumped on Bluegrass players of this caliber
I watched it twice.
That kid is REALLY having a ball :-)
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Go see this band when you can. As good as this video is it doesn't do their whole live show justice.
@@casualwater698 I can imagine There is always a different energy when you're there
Seek out vid of him and his step dad jamming and singing in a living room for 20 minutes.....
I haven't smiled as much in all my decades as you do in one clip: You ever cramp up?
This is a great review of Billy and his band. 2019 IBMA Artist and Guitarist of the year! Co gratulations Billy!
I've been waiting for this review. Caught Billy fever a few months ago.. 'dust in a baggie' and have been hooked.
Thanks Fil
Billy Strings is really something special & he's going to be huge someday soon!
First time I saw William was in 2013, and then again in 2014, at Earthwork Harvest Gathering. Sunday wake up, or should I say bedtime, in the morning, when he came on with Don, we all knew.... Here is the moment. Billy is now a Michigan, mostly Northern, Icon.... Wheatland, Hoxey, Harvest, and many more. The festivals in Northern Michigan, and some parts of the south & west coast, are beyond brilliant. The music diversity, the culture, the atmosphere of goodwill and peace are class. This is what spawned Billy Strings and others. Come, come join us in blessings and gratitude. It really is a "Good Sign"
Really nice sound.. His vocalizations are great. Doc Watson.. Scruggs.. Cooooool Brotherrrrrr
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Love these guys. And you help me appreciate them even more! I would give a nod to the New Grass Revival for blazing the path for creativity from traditional bluegrass.
Absolutely!!!
Have you seen Sam's movie?
www.imdb.com/title/tt4357288/?ref_=tt_rt
@@CappyKitty Oh Yeah! SO Awesome!!! Sam is one of my husband's (Gary Laney) best friends. Gary engineered/recorded a couple of New Grass Revival albums & a bunch of other hit records with him. Sam also helped Gary get through his cancer ordeal--being a cancer survivor himself. He's an Amazing person!
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It’s about time someone put jazz and bluegrass together. Syncopation, augmented chords, odd time signatures. Whoooo-eeeee! Thank You, Fil! Brilliant!
Check out Tony Rice
Does Bela Flek work?
Hmmm. Jazz is a broad term. Bela Fleck and Tony Rice are great players, and innovators, and masters of their instruments. They take my breath away. Neither of them make names like Brubeck or Monk cross my mind.
@@futuredirected -- Oh, Samantha, you haven't dug deeply enough into the music of Bela Fleck (my namesake!) He's a very good bebop player - on the 5-string! True, though: he isn't _known_ as a jazz player, but he can sit in on almost any jazz standard and sound "genuine." /// Tony Rice has recorded some jazz tunes, but he isn't (he admits) a player of modern jazz.
Béla Scialoja Thank You, Béla. I do love all the wondrous music Béla makes on a banjo. Improvising around a Coltrane tune on a banjo isn’t the same as fusing bluegrass and Blue Rondo right down the middle. That’s what I hear in the track that Fil presented tonight. I hope I’m not offending anyone. That’s not my intent. I’m not saying he’s better or they’re not, just that no one else is doing quite this.
Dang that sounds cool
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You should check out his version of train, train at muddy creek music hall. He does some really crazy shit. I love it.
Weeeheeeeey, another uber skilled virtuoso young un to show me I cant play diddly squat after 35 years... 😝😅🤔😫😭😭 😎 the band is like mumford & sons on steroids and some '🎵🎶dust from the baggy 🎶🎵'... guess I'll just have to be another fan! I feel bad for people who say there's no good music nowadays... the world is abound with it.
Fil... I could tell you SO did not want to stop that track before you did!...😊.. I didn't want you to either!...😆He is magnificent!...Yes, how unique was that song?!...I have not heard of Billy Strings before. Apparently I don't listen to bluegrass enough, I'll check him out further. And as always you do a thorough explanation of every track you share...✌❤🤘
No problem!
Lori Pond hi, there's clips on TH-cam of Billy and Sierra Hull , she was IBMA mandolin player of the year for the 5th time this year also Billy and Molly Tuttle IBMA guitar player for the second time this year, re Rosanne Cash I can't find the Country Music People mag. interview when she talked about Walk the Line ,if you look up Rosanne Cash on Walk the line movie a Guardian interview should come up,Happy New Year, greetings from Birmingham U K
@@robertsmyth4998 .... Hi Robert.. Thank you for the info on more Bluegrass from Billy! I will check it out. And as well, for more info about the Rosanne Cash Guardian Mag interview. I would be very interested in hearing her story.... Happy New Year greetings from the USA.....✌😊
been a while watching your channel....so happy that you went here...very Appalachian early Scotch-Irish back woods Americana...like you said "turned on it's head"...with a Sabbath-esque chord progression.
I'm not sure what I enjoyed the most - Billy Strings or Fil's analysis! Fil really helps me appreciate the performances with more depth than I ever would without it. Thanx Fil!
No problem!
Agree. Fil’s comments articulate what I’m hearing/sensing but can’t verbalize.
How could a guy with that much talent have a voice that good also...its not even fair
Try some Punch Brothers (may have already).
Not yet!
Usually these split screen analysis by "experts" is weak for a coupla reasons. First the person analyzing is not as good as the artist they're judging. Also, there tends to be a sort of "this was great. The way they do this or that is really hard to do." But this was really good. He got into influences, tipped his hat to the greatness of the band (although I think the mandolin player has changed), talked about fusion of influences, risk taking, and genre bending. One thing "Pegasus" didn't mention was the quality of songwriting. And I wonder why. Maybe, because it follows a basic bluegrass form but with cool deviations, the songwriting is an after thought during a critique. But even if that was true, the lyrics blaze. In some ways, this must've been a tough artist to critique because he's so damned good, so authentic, so orignal... there's so much to say. But, yeah, this was head and shoulder above most of the folks who try to judge other artist. thanks.
All my life, I've never been into bluegrass music. It never fails though, that every time I see a bluegrass band, wether live or on video, I can't stop watching! These players are amazing!👍😎🎸🎶
Have tickets to see Billy Strings tonight (10/30/2022) in Asheville NC. I am excited.
Fil.I’ve seen quite a lot of videos, and to straight, you’re a prime example of music education to all future musicians. I’m an old fart, that played with Vassar Clements and Tony, but the list goes on……. Keep up the fantastic work of analysis, Fil. I love it.
Could you check out Earl Scruggs and Lester Flat? They were very famous Bluegrass stars. Your vids are so good! Thank you so much!
I love watching the talent of bluegrass players, but not crazy about the music, but these guys sound awesome! I could listen to them all day!👍😎🎸🎶
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Excellent review ...WELL explained! but the BEST part was the look on your face throughout the entire song...big smile that appears to be on hold as you continue to watch...kinda like you are about to say something with each note of the song, but can't because you don't want to put the next notes on hold ...I discovered Billy last year and I haven't been able to stop watching ...I'm just BLOWN AWAY by his unique talent!