Billy Strings is unstoppable.
The king of modern bluegrass has long worn the crown as the genre’s chosen torchbearer, but as he continues to pull new fans and audiences into the bluegrass world, he has brought his electric, high-flying style of bluegrass to amphitheaters, arenas, and now even stadiums all across the world.
A virtuosic talent, watching or listening to Billy Strings play the guitar is nothing short of mesmerizing, and as a result, his incredible lyricism seems to get lost on us fans at times. But his latest release is yet another example of how Billy Strings is the full package in music, with insane instrumental talent and captivating songwriting.
Titled “Seven Weeks in County,” Strings’ latest release marks the final single before the 9/27 release of his forthcoming record Highway Prayers, and in my opinion, is one of his best songs yet. First played live in New Orleans this past New Year’s Eve, “Seven Weeks in County” has since become a sought after song and a near regular in the endless rotation of songs that make Strings’ setlists. As a result, fans who were able to hear this one live prior to today’s release have latched onto it in a manner that foreshadows just how big of a single this one could be.
And if you watch the music video to get an idea for the story he’s telling behind the distraction of sonic perfection, you’ll be just as captivated.
Billy Strings’ sixth studio album, Highway Prayers seems like his most anticipated, and with the massive shows he’s been playing over the last couple of years, it’s definitely going to have the opportunity to bring bluegrass to an even larger audience than ever before.
Featuring 20 tracks that showcase his guitar playing prowess and lyrical ability, Strings is accompanied by his touring band in Royal Masat (bass), Billy Failing (banjo), and Jarrod Walker (mandolin), as well as a slew of other musicians and team members that make the sound as great as it is.
Check out the setlist for Highway Prayers here:
Highway Prayers Tracklist
1. Leaning on a Travelin’ Song
2. In the Clear
3. Escanaba
4. Gild the Lily
5. Seven Weeks In County
6. Stratosphere Blues / I Believe in You
7. Cabin Song
8. Don’t Be Calling Me (at 4AM)
9. Malfunction Junction
10. Catch and Release
11. Be Your Man
12. Gone a Long Time
13. It Ain’t Before
14. My Alice
15. Seney Stretch
16. MORBUD4ME
17. Leadfoot
18. Happy Hollow
19. The Beginning of the End
20. Richard Petty
This album is going to be incredible, next Friday can’t come soon enough.
If you like what you’ve heard here, and you’d be crazy if you didn’t, make sure to catch Billy Strings live at some point. There are a lot of bands that are one of the best live bands in music, but I confidently believe Billy Strings’ is the best.
9/27-9/28 – Renewal Festival – Buena Vista, CO
10/4 – Pine Knob Music Theatre – Clarkston, MI
10/11-10/12 – Grainbridge Fieldhouse – Indianapolis, IN
10/18-10/19 – The Orion Amphitheater – Huntsville, AL
10/31-11/1 – CFG Bank Arena – Baltimore, MD
12/6-12/7 – FedEx Forum – Memphis, TN
12/10 – BOK Center – Tulsa, OK
12/12 – Dickies Arena – Fort Worth, TX
12/13 – ACL Live at the Moody Theatre – Austin, TX
12/14 – Moody Center – Austin, TX
12/29-12/31 – UNO Lakefront Arena – New Orleans, LA
