Speaking out.
Over the past few days, some seriously disturbing allegations have been made surrounding the culture within the crowds at bluegrass superstar, Billy Strings’, shows over the past few years.
In particular, there have been serious accusations made against a superfan and the self-appointed “mayor” of the Billy Strings community named James Smiley. The story caught fire online when an accuser Jahleesi, who goes by jenny_jah on Instagram, claims that she has been sexually assaulted by Smiley.
Though Smiley is in no way associated with Strings and his team, he has been a prominent figure in the community for the Michigan native, running a now-deleted podcast that would detail his supposed status as the “mayor” of the Billy’s fans. Despite this, there has been growing concern about his behavior over the years, most notably leading to a Change.org petition being created back in 2024 to remove him from the scene and his self-appointed “leadership” position in the community.
In the now-viral Instagram post on Wednesday, September 3oth, which has procured over 23,500 likes, 2,200 comments and 1,200 reposts as of writing, Jahleesi would also claim that she has been drugged “multiple times” at Strings’ shows over the years… all of which Smiley was present at.
Additionally, she would allege that Smiley is a convicted felon and, most horrifically, a pedophile who has messaged young female fans as young as 13 years old in the past.
“I was sexually assaulted by James Smiley, the self-assumed ‘mayor’ of the Billy Strings community. He is a PERVERT, PEDOPHILE, and a PREDATOR. Stop making these people feel comfortable in our communities.
I have been drugged multiple times in the Billy Strings pit. Each time James Smiley was present and would not stop turning around to watch me throughout the show, as if in wait. WOMEN/GIRLS BEWARE!
Reference Reddit for countless other victims who have spoken-up about this man but have since been BRUSHED UNDER THE RUG. Reference the SEDUCTIVE MESSAGES sent to 13 year old girls after ‘showing them the ropes’ at a show. Reference the people who have been BULLIED out of being up-front at a concert.
To identify: SMILEY is the grey bearded CONVICTED FELON who will be walking around venues shirtless, wearing an open robe as if the WORLD IS HIS BEDROOM. His voice is as harsh as the toes that will be on display. He described his spirit animal to me as Horny Toad, which about sums it up.
His henchman JORDAN Johnson has also been trying to silence the recent accounts OF ABUSE from his [e]X girlfriend and teenage daughter. His daughter is safe and out of the house. His [e]X has refused to take down statements, despite Jordan and ‘prominent’ community members coercion. Like-minded people stand together.
It didn’t take ‘growing a pair’ for me to speak up. It took finding the SPINE I already had to STAND-UP. I will not sit back down to the pieces of sh*t who think their ballsacks allow them to take what they can’t have.
BELIVE VICTIMS. STOP PANDERING TO PREDATORS. PROTECT EVERYONE, BUT ESPECIALLY THE CHILDREN. We are all responsible for our own actions. With Love, Jah.”
As the post began gaining traction on Instagram, more fans began sharing their experiences, with many referencing the ongoing cries from the base to remove him from shows and others sharing some bad encounters with Smiley.
Strings’ bassist, Royal Masat, would comment on Jah’s post shortly after he uploaded it. Here, Masat would praise her for speaking out. Calling Smiley’s actions disgusting, he’d assure her (and the rest of the fanbase) that he’s going to do “everything in my power to address” the current situation.
“Thank you for bravely speaking up about this. I am disgusted to hear these accounts of abuse and can only imagine how many of his victims have been silenced by his posse and intimidated by his “stature” in the scene. I hope others with similar experiences are emboldened by your example to speak up as well. I am an ally and will do everything in my power to address this and hopefully restore the sacred and safe space that our shows should be.”
With growing calls from fans to address the incredibly serious allegations surrounding the environment at his shows, Strings took to social media yesterday evening to speak out.
In a nearly four-minute video, Strings would begin by saying that he never wanted be an “authority figure” for the community. With that being said, however, he recognized that the allegations about Smiley were too big to ignore. Here, he’d say that his shows are safe place for anyone, regardless of their race, age, gender or sexuality, and promised fans that he’s not going to accept any “threatening, dangerous or harmful” behavior.
“I usually try to keep my head down and play guitar — keep this about the music. It’s kind of what I’ve always wanted to do. I never set out to be any authority figure. But I realize, as this community grows and as my following grows in this beautiful community that we’ve all built together, whether I like it or not, I am the leader. And I have the responsibility to try to curate this and try to make this a safe space for everybody.
My shows are a sacred, safe space for me. I’ve always tried to make it just a safe space where people can come jam and have a good time, regardless of what age you are or color, or shapes and sizes, and genders or sexual orientations. It’s a safe space for everybody, and it should stay that way.
I’m not gonna accept any threatening, dangerous or harmful behavior of any kind, period. My team and I will do everything in our power to make sure that’s what happens.”
From there, he’d call on both him and his team, as well as the fans in the crowd, to work together to cultivate a better environment, urging fans to report any suspicious behavior in the crowd.
Additionally, he’d reiterate that all he wants out of his shows is for fans to have a safe environment and have a good time.
“I can’t see what happens in the crowd. There’s thousands of people out there. I think that this is a community, and we all need to work together to make sure this is a safe space. I’ll do my part. You do yours. We could all work together to make sure that if you see something at a show, to say something to somebody that works at the venue or a security attendant or anybody right then and there to make sure we can take care of this.
I just want people to be able to come together and have a good time without feeling threatened or unsafe. I know that it happens; it’s happened to me. I’ve walked through the crowd, and people have grabbed my ass. I’ve been like, ‘What the f? Who the hell did that?’ It’s not cool. I learned in kindergarten to keep my hands to myself.”
Strings would finish by saying that everyone has the right to come to a concert and feel safe, reinforcing the fact that he’s going to do everything he can to fix the situation.
“I can’t believe that this needs to be said so much, but consent is a big thing. I think everybody has the right to come to a concert and feel safe, so I just want to thank you for the love and support. I want to say that I have your back. I’m gonna do everything that I can to make sure that this is a safe place for people to come and have a good time and dance and listen to music. That’s what it’s all about.
Just have a good time, and everybody should feel free to do that. Let’s just keep working together to make sure that this is a safe space and much love to you.”
While some praised Billy for making the statement, others called him out for not doing enough to combat the problem. Some also shared their own personal stories of uncomfortable moments at his shows. It’s unclear what changes will be made to Billy Strings concerts, if any initially, or if Smiley will be allowed to attend in the future, however, Billy assured his fans that his team would be working to keep shows safe for fans.
As of now, there has not been any further updates or allegations from Jahleesi in regards to Smiley’s behavior at shows.
