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davidcava - Posted - 05/16/2018: 06:26:54
I've been listening to this kid for a few weeks now, as I'm new to him, and his band. Super energy, and I'm really loving what he's doing. Something special about this kid. Freeze frame the audience at 4:45......not exactly a young crowd.........but all are smiling....pretty cool.
I listed the genre as unknown, and the banjo style as Scruggs style.
Is it Bluegrass? is it close to Bluegrass? is it just grass? whatever it is .......I want some.
David
phb - Posted - 05/16/2018: 06:57:29
Bluegrunge?
budbennett - Posted - 05/16/2018: 07:03:11
I heard a bunch of acts talking about Billy STrings at last year's Carolina in the Fall festival. He seems to be very well respected and influential to new and young groups. I see why- I love that energy and inventive playing the band does.
davidcava - Posted - 05/16/2018: 07:31:58
Bluegrunge! I like that Philipp
Tom Smith - Posted - 05/16/2018: 08:29:44
I'm on the bandwagon for sure! Jamgrass is another term that comes up when talking about Billy Strings (William Apostol). He's also a big fan and promoter of Doc Watson's music.
youtu.be/hdX7MNIjbDo?t=26s
KCJones - Posted - 05/16/2018: 09:01:46
The only thing nicer than Billy Strings picking is his personality. Salt of the earth, perpetually positive. And he's got no quit, if he's at a festival he'll be seen picking in the campground for hours both before and after his sets. I'm lucky enough to have talked to him a few times before he went to Nashville, and am glad to see one of my hometown heros getting some recognition.
He can get pretty heavy at times, but don't let that make you think he can't pick it clean. He can, when he wants. Try to catch him around a campfire and you'll see.
His albums with with Don Julian, Fiddle Tune X and Rock of Ages, are more traditional.
Since this is BANJO Hangout, I feel the need to mention his banjo players name. Billy Failing.
Billy Failing has a CD out right now as well. IMO one of the better -grass albums released in the last couple years.
If you like the banjo you hear with Billy Strings, check out Billy Failing.
Edited by - KCJones on 05/16/2018 09:11:21
Tom Smith - Posted - 05/16/2018: 09:13:57
You're right about that, Steven! I didn't want to get too long winded in my previous post, but he has a lot going for him, Great guitar playing, clawhammer banjo playing (I've also seem him play mandolin, and who know what else), but also an excellent singer, and one of the nicest people you could hope to meet (Billy Failing is a great musician and a heck of a nice guy too). He has drive, energy and a great rapport with both his band and audience. I could keep going, but you get the idea ... I'm a fan.
mike gregory - Posted - 05/16/2018: 17:48:38
Fine by me!
I recall that there were some pitiful wails from SOME folks, when Bela Fleck started playing rock/Jazz/Grass fusion.
All they wanted was the same old same old from, what, 1940's & 50's??
Let's admit it folks, Bela is good at what he does.
And this new kid.... Doing a FINE job!
bubbalouie - Posted - 05/16/2018: 19:42:04
WoW! Thanks for this!
Tom Smith - Posted - 05/17/2018: 03:17:35
David,
If this topic was just the sharing of favorite Billy Strings videos, it could go on forever. (That would be fine with me, but it's your topic :) ) Billy's fans are sort of like Grateful Dead fans in their enthusiasm. Also, unlike many musicians today, he does not discourage posting videos of his performances. There is a ton of content on YouTube, and it's all excellent. There was discussion about "grunge" vs. clean and traditional. There are lots of solo, Doc Watson related videos. See some of these at Carter Vintage Guitars YouTube Channel. This one is not from that channel, but along those lines... Billy Strings - Brown's Ferry Blues youtube.com/watch?v=TVIBlpSCuh4
Edited by - Tom Smith on 05/17/2018 03:19:42
davidcava - Posted - 05/17/2018: 04:38:33
Hey Tom, post whatever you want here, it's cool with me. I've been listening to a lot of different cuts, and styles from Billy Strings. The guy can cover it. He reminds me of a dear friend of mine, Billy Gilmore. I want to jam with him sometime.
Tom Smith - Posted - 05/17/2018: 05:14:12
:) Thanks David. Saying you want to jam with him sometime reminded me of something I was thinking about the other day. I was thinking that it would be great to get a lesson from Billy, but then it occurred to me ... would I rather have a lesson from Billy or from Terry Barber (Billy's dad ... who Billy himself learned from). While I was thinking about this, I saw that Billy says his current "guru" is Bryan Sutton. So, would I rather have a lesson from my favorite player, the guy that taught him, or the guy he currently looks up to. Probably not something I'll have to decide in real life. This reminds me of the first Billy Strings video I saw. The Soul of Man Never Dies—William Apostol/Billy Strings youtube.com/watch?v=qzla8TQ6zqQ
Tom Smith - Posted - 05/17/2018: 05:30:36
“My dad is an amazing flat-picker and singer and he raised me up playing bluegrass music,” Apostol says. “He always had people over pickin’ and having a good time, so when I was young I wanted to be just like my dad. He was always the life of the party. He would be singing all night until he was red in the face. Everybody was laughing and smiling and happy. That’s how I remember it. He would provide that joy to people and I saw that as a young kid and it was amazing. That’s how I ended up doing what I do. I just followed that childhood dream.” Billy Strings youtube.com/watch?v=JOwBD2bDcwY
davidcava - Posted - 05/17/2018: 05:33:59
That last clip is what Bluegrass is all about Tom. Father and Son picking together. Very cool indeed.
davidcava - Posted - 05/17/2018: 05:36:37
and man.....that gene was surely past on down! Daddy can pick!
FlyinEagle - Posted - 05/17/2018: 06:24:29
It’s a very cool thing when a musician is so talented that they have it all going on…vocals, multi-instrumentalist, style and stage presence, songwriting…We should be hearing about this dude for many years to come.
phb - Posted - 05/18/2018: 02:03:12
I have been watching quite a few of his videos now and he really can do it all. I hope he doesn't go too much the traditional route as that will not create new audiences for good handmade music. There have been too many great young instrumentalists that are treasured by an aging audience but never draw crouds of the same age group.
A video I found a little amusing was where he plays with Bryan Sutton: youtube.com/watch?v=uNTWGQbgv8s
It reminded me a lot of a video I saw of Stevie Ray Vaughn playing with Jeff Beck: a young gun intimidated by a guitar hero of decades long fame and overdoing it a little out of nervousness. Especially reading Billy String's reply to some jerk in the comment section, it hit a soft spot in my heart... :)
Tom Smith - Posted - 05/18/2018: 08:36:07
Here's another favorite of mine. Just for fun, and his fans, he did an hour on Facebook Live. Here's the Youtube video of that ... youtube.com/watch?v=p5kthRxgINk
davidcava - Posted - 05/18/2018: 13:05:13
Nice
rbergesch - Posted - 05/18/2018: 20:48:08
Nice video’s!
At Thomas Point Festival in Maine I heard some great sounds coming out of a medium-sized camper. Stuck my head in the door; there were seven or 8 people jaming, and in the back was Billy Strings.
This was flat-out some of the best Bluegrass I’ve heard. Most of people in the camper were from a Michigan band who had been in the band contest a day or so before. It was just a jam; Billy was due to play much later in the day, and he was not rehearsing with his band. Just having fun with some friends.
His show later that night was awesome.
Billy is the real thing. While there’s been some carping about ‘jam band bluegrass’, or some such, the core of his music is simply awesome, old fashioned Bluegrass music lovingly ripped off from the greats (like Doc Watson and Jimmy Martin,) and then turned up a notch. Laid back is not his style.
Hope to see him for a long time.
bubbalouie - Posted - 05/20/2018: 08:07:57
We just downloaded his newest album off itunes!
dmiller - Posted - 05/20/2018: 13:48:26
I just saw this thread. He's a good performer and entertainer - - but he "ain't bluegrass". 
I'd attend one of his concerts if he came up here, but I wouldn't expect a bluegrass music performance.
Tom Smith - Posted - 05/21/2018: 03:07:52
quote:
Originally posted by phb
I have been watching quite a few of his videos now and he really can do it all. I hope he doesn't go too much the traditional route as that will not create new audiences for good handmade music. There have been too many great young instrumentalists that are treasured by an aging audience but never draw crouds of the same age group.
A video I found a little amusing was where he plays with Bryan Sutton: youtube.com/watch?v=uNTWGQbgv8s
It reminded me a lot of a video I saw of Stevie Ray Vaughn playing with Jeff Beck: a young gun intimidated by a guitar hero of decades long fame and overdoing it a little out of nervousness. Especially reading Billy String's reply to some jerk in the comment section, it hit a soft spot in my heart... :)
Great video! 've not seen a bad performance by Billy Stirngs, but his Freeborn Man performances seem extra inspired. Here's another I've watched repeatedly ... youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv...CvktdLrH0Y" target="_blank">l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3...vktdLrH0Y" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whpWmNJFLy4" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">youtube.com/watch?v=whpWmNJFLy4
Buddur - Posted - 05/22/2018: 07:17:34
quote:
Originally posted by dmiller
I just saw this thread. He's a good performer and entertainer - - but he "ain't bluegrass".
Oh, there's bluegrass in him. However, there is also sooo much more available in him.....which "should" be appreciated.
Why would he pigeon-hole himself when he's that good?
Edited by - Buddur on 05/22/2018 07:17:51
KCJones - Posted - 05/22/2018: 08:03:05
quote:
Originally posted by dmiller
I just saw this thread. He's a good performer and entertainer - - but he "ain't bluegrass".
I'd attend one of his concerts if he came up here, but I wouldn't expect a bluegrass music performance.
Banjohangout is not a bluegrass forum.
'Other Music-Related Topics' is not a bluegrass sub forum.
As far as I know, Billy Strings has never claimed to be a bluegrasser. I think his feelings on the matter are contained in Track 1 of his latest album.
This website has huge sections devoted to Bluegrass. Thousands of topics and hundreds of users all focused on discussing bluegrass. And yet we still get comments like yours in non-bluegrass threads. Are the other sections not enough, you need it all? Can we not have a single space of our own? Is there nowhere on this website where a discussion can be had without someone interjecting their "not bluegrass" comments into the discussion? Can we get no relief?
Edited by - KCJones on 05/22/2018 08:05:09
KCJones - Posted - 05/22/2018: 10:45:50
Disregard that last message folks. I was in a bit of a mood this morning.
Back on topic, here's a full 2 hour concert from just a couple weeks ago.
youtu.be/UwpNZnLixGE
Tom Smith - Posted - 05/23/2018: 01:59:17
Here's a short one for comic relief. (at least I think it's funny). Billy does guitar demos of high end guitars for Carter Vintage instruments, but this is before that. He's demonstrating a "Daisy Rock" guitar at Traverse City Guitars ... youtube.com/watch?v=0lGdgUdwPB4
Staghorn5 - Posted - 05/23/2018: 11:40:34
Billy Strings, he is another one that thinks is better than he is.
A sloppy guitar player who has a big marketing team.
Why is anyone listens to him when there are Bryan Sutton, David Grier, Cody Kilby, Jim Hurst and hundreds more better guitar players. Lucky for him, his audience wouldn't know and thinks loud and fast is impressive.
Edited by - Staghorn5 on 05/23/2018 11:41:33
davidcava - Posted - 05/23/2018: 14:22:49
I've never met the kid, but my impressions from his videos, I wouldn't think that at all. The kid has something about him, and I love it. Those guitarists you mentioned are fantastic, but a little too clean. This kid has an edge, a realness. I do hope to meet him someday.
Buddur - Posted - 05/23/2018: 16:01:52
Yesterday, in a number of sittings I watched the 2 hour concert from a few weeks ago. Never seen him live, or listened to anything other than watching his videos lately.
You can't deny he's good. In the concert I didn't see/hear and apparent slop...the kid was on...loud and fast sure, but just as much soul and mello. Some good tunes and some out-there space-pickin even. Seemed a sincere, grateful, and down to earth guy. He's entertaining, so people are going to like him even if there are more better guitar players. This is his time...others have had theirs, so let him have his. Johnny come lately, maybe? We'll see in 5-10 years, and maybe then he'll be thought of with Sutton, Grier, etc.
He's got it going on...or we wouldn't be talking about him.
bilge rat - Posted - 05/23/2018: 18:10:29
I caught him about a month ago at the Rex Theater in Pittsburgh. He sure can pick a guitar.
Cool banjo picker in the band, as well.
Staghorn5 - Posted - 05/23/2018: 20:11:58
quote:
Originally posted by Buddur
Yesterday, in a number of sittings I watched the 2 hour concert from a few weeks ago. Never seen him live, or listened to anything other than watching his videos lately.
You can't deny he's good. In the concert I didn't see/hear and apparent slop...the kid was on...loud and fast sure, but just as much soul and mello. Some good tunes and some out-there space-pickin even. Seemed a sincere, grateful, and down to earth guy. He's entertaining, so people are going to like him even if there are more better guitar players. This is his time...others have had theirs, so let him have his. Johnny come lately, maybe? We'll see in 5-10 years, and maybe then he'll be thought of with Sutton, Grier, etc.
He's got it going on...or we wouldn't be talking about him.
No, not really. People talk about a lot of things, that doesn't mean they have them "going on" as you say. Millions of spotify views doesn't equal good.
There is nothing better about it, technique wise, musically than what I've heard a million times before. Speed, racket and a gimmick name are not very impressive from a music point of view. Popularity isn't an indication of quality, if it was then bluegrass must be awful music.
Edited by - Staghorn5 on 05/23/2018 20:13:40
Tom Smith - Posted - 05/24/2018: 04:46:43
quote:
Originally posted by Staghorn5
Billy Strings, he is another one that thinks is better than he is.
A sloppy guitar player who has a big marketing team.
Why is anyone listens to him when there are Bryan Sutton, David Grier, Cody Kilby, Jim Hurst and hundreds more better guitar players. Lucky for him, his audience wouldn't know and thinks loud and fast is impressive.
LOL Troll much? Point 1 - Billy is one of the friendliest and most humble guitar players I've ever met. When you met him, did you have a different experience? Point 2 - "A sloppy guitar player" ... whatever youtube.com/watch?v=J_renVRjpe0 "big marketing team" That would be his fan base. Point 3 - You may not like him, but I know that Bryan Sutton does! Point 3 - "his audience wouldn't know and thinks loud and fast is impressive." Sp, you know as little about his audience as you do about Billy. youtube.com/watch?v=1Nz8QN8PMVY
Buddur - Posted - 05/24/2018: 06:21:30
quote:
Originally posted by Staghorn5
quote:
Originally posted by Buddur
Yesterday, in a number of sittings I watched the 2 hour concert from a few weeks ago. Never seen him live, or listened to anything other than watching his videos lately.
You can't deny he's good. In the concert I didn't see/hear and apparent slop...the kid was on...loud and fast sure, but just as much soul and mello. Some good tunes and some out-there space-pickin even. Seemed a sincere, grateful, and down to earth guy. He's entertaining, so people are going to like him even if there are more better guitar players. This is his time...others have had theirs, so let him have his. Johnny come lately, maybe? We'll see in 5-10 years, and maybe then he'll be thought of with Sutton, Grier, etc.
He's got it going on...or we wouldn't be talking about him.
No, not really. People talk about a lot of things, that doesn't mean they have them "going on" as you say. Millions of spotify views doesn't equal good.
There is nothing better about it, technique wise, musically than what I've heard a million times before. Speed, racket and a gimmick name are not very impressive from a music point of view. Popularity isn't an indication of quality, if it was then bluegrass must be awful music.
Are you saying I'm wrong? Are you really right? Frankly, it doesn't matter what either of us thinks. The kid is putting himself out there by touring, and apparently people like him. Can't deny that.
Lately, the kid has thrust himself to the forefront of people's interest, and imo, millions of Spotify views support that. As there is much interest in him he surely does have it "going on"...at the moment.
Not sure I understand the statement Popularity isn't an indication of quality, if it was then bluegrass must be awful music. Because, if it was then jazz must be awful music....if it was then R&B must be awful music....if it was then country must be awful music....if it was then folk must be awful music....if it was then rock -n- roll must be awful music....and on and on. Just doesn't make sense.
What does make sense is that music is very subjective, so I do understand your point of view.
Edited by - Buddur on 05/24/2018 06:35:53
Tom Smith - Posted - 05/24/2018: 08:12:39
Here's a little William Apostol trivia.
“When I was little– about six years old– you’d see me sitting there next to my dad and all of his older friends trying to pick along with them,” Strings tells Wide Open Country. “My Aunt Mondi, she looked over and gave me that nickname one time at a party. She said ‘Look at little Billy Strings trying to hang in there.’ Years later I moved to Traverse City and started playing a couple open mic nights around town. When Mondi passed away I wrote my name on the chalkboard as Billy Strings. Then all hell broke loose.” -Billy Strings
davidcava - Posted - 05/24/2018: 17:04:55
Billy has a great voice as well. Just listen to "I miss the Mississippi and You".........how can anyone not love it?
Tom Smith - Posted - 05/25/2018: 01:46:57
quote:
Originally posted by davidcava
Billy has a great voice as well. Just listen to "I miss the Mississippi and You".........how can anyone not love it?
True! There are several videos of this, but I finally landed on this one,
Billy Strings and Don Julin live at the Community Church of Lake Forest and Lake Bluff. Recorded May 4th, 2014.
I Miss The Mississippi and You
youtube.com/watch?v=8KtUYCX_UjI
And you know how it is with YouTube, one video leads to another, and before you know it, your lunch break is over. :) Here's another from the same venue....
Home Far Away
youtube.com/watch?v=qpSRwmRDte0
heavy5 - Posted - 05/25/2018: 13:44:52
This kid has put me over the edge ---I'm 80 & not a rocker ---ever !
But just listening to the first cut in this thread there's tasteful talent that kinda grabs you . I sent this thread to my 2 boys ---they will like Billy & will think the old man has really gone over the edge !
Tom Smith - Posted - 05/29/2018: 03:18:15
Just keeping current. This is from 3 days ago. Billy Strings & Bryon Sutton Delfest, Cumberland, MD 05.26.18 (Great performance, I wish the sound quality was better, but the music quality is top notch) youtube.com/watch?v=EmycR4sfkaQ
Tom Smith - Posted - 05/31/2018: 07:19:33
From the Sound Podcast
"As you know we’ve been toiling in Bluegrass music of late, and when we came across Billy’s music we had to get him on the show. While he is a pretty young cat, and started in the business as somewhat of a prodigy, he has a very mature sound to his voice and his playing, his flat picking in particular is off the charts. We caught up with Billy on the road, where, he spends a lot of time. Billy not only brings a maturity to his music and to the bluegrass genre with a very fresh take, but he also has a ton of knowledge about those who have come before him, and his role within that ecosystem. You’ll want to visit billystrings.com for more on his music and his tour dates. We’re pretty psyched to follow what happens with King and Strings at the Rooster Walk festival, and we’ll be sure to pass that information along from our Facebook page." youtube.com/watch?v=j1sWqXhuaNg
pickin_fool - Posted - 06/09/2018: 13:39:24
"Billy Strings, he is another one that thinks is better than he is.
A sloppy guitar player who has a big marketing team."
dude..are you serious..the clips i saw were neither sloppy nor loud...he sounds like a pretty damn good flat picker to me...(but then again i am old...what do i know right?)...
would i pay money to see him in concert?...yeah..i like good music
would i expect to see him at a bluegrass concert?...no
banjo, mandolin, guitar, upright bass etc do not neccessarily make a blugrass band...unless of course thats what you are using them for
does he think he is better than he is?...unless you have the ability to read his mind you cant make a statement like that and expect not to get a negative reaction..
as far as his "marketing team"...are you privvy as to how he books his venues?...
this thinking he is better than he is cooment actually made me laugh out loud...when i pick up my banjo and crank out foggy mountain...oh hell...i think i am better than earl for cryin out loud...when i play clinch mountain..i think...ralph who?..i own this song..the list goes on...
i was kind of a "banjo snob" when i first joined BH...if it wasnt 5 string, played bluegrass style..it wasnt worth my time to listen to it...since then i have rethought my thinking..an open mind is key to music appreciation in my opinion..instead of peeing in billy strings cornflakes i wish him all the best..i am pretty sure he will go places with his music.....if he were to call me lookin for a bluegrass banjo player i wouldnt think twice about it...
ps..the only reason i bothered to look in this thread was...i was thinkin..oh joy...another revolutionary string maker..lmao
dmiller - Posted - 06/10/2018: 21:55:16
quote:
Originally posted by KCJones
quote:
Originally posted by dmiller
I just saw this thread. He's a good performer and entertainer - - but he "ain't bluegrass".
I'd attend one of his concerts if he came up here, but I wouldn't expect a bluegrass music performance.
Banjohangout is not a bluegrass forum.
'Other Music-Related Topics' is not a bluegrass sub forum.
As far as I know, Billy Strings has never claimed to be a bluegrasser. I think his feelings on the matter are contained in Track 1 of his latest album.
This website has huge sections devoted to Bluegrass. Thousands of topics and hundreds of users all focused on discussing bluegrass. And yet we still get comments like yours in non-bluegrass threads. Are the other sections not enough, you need it all? Can we not have a single space of our own? Is there nowhere on this website where a discussion can be had without someone interjecting their "not bluegrass" comments into the discussion? Can we get no relief?
Originally posted by Buddur:
Quote - - Originally posted by dmiller
I just saw this thread. He's a good performer and entertainer - - but he "ain't bluegrass".
_______________________________________________________
Oh, there's bluegrass in him. However, there is also sooo much more available in him.....which "should" be appreciated.
Why would he pigeon-hole himself when he's that good?
_______________________________________________________
KCJones and Buddur - - Nothing against either of you or your "observations" about my post (which BOTH of you quoted), but I think you need to "sharpen up" your reading skills. I was NEITHER "defining" him and his music, nor was I castigating him. You must have skipped over the part of my post where I said I would go to see him (paying money for the show) were he to come to my town. You both got your exercise for the day by "jumping to conclusions", when all I was doing (in my post that both of you quoted) was answering the initial (original post) asking what we thought about Billy Strings and his music. Nothing more. Nothing less. Have a good night, and a better day tomorrow, eh?
Edited by - dmiller on 06/10/2018 22:00:34
Tom Smith - Posted - 06/11/2018: 09:11:41
quote:
Originally posted by Tom Smith
Billy Strings Live at Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility on 2015-04-02
archive.org/details/billystrin...2t06.flac
1 Big Mon
2 Long Gone
3 Red Rocking Chair
4 Long Journey Home
5 Shackles and Chains
6 Traveling the Highway Home
7 Dust in a Baggie
8 Fiddle Tune X
9 I've Just Seen the Rock of Ages
10 99 years is Almost for Life
11 No More Paper Logs
12 Little Maggie
Buddur - Posted - 06/11/2018: 16:59:18
No worries, dmiller. It's all good.
Honestly, I did read your entire post.
davidcava - Posted - 06/29/2018: 13:19:31
Great
Bluegrass
