Strings asks for "Highway Prayers"
This will mark the bluegrass/jamband guitarist's second release within theee months. He released a live disc in July.
Produced by Strings and Jon Brion (Fiona Apple, Mac Miller, Aimee Mann), the album includes 20 original songs including the first single, "Leadfoot," which is out today. Written by Strings, the song features Strings on vocals, banjo, bass, steel guitar, EBow electric guitar and 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle along with Matt Chamberlain on drums.
Recorded in Los Angeles and Nashville, the album features Strings and his longtime band—Billy Failing (banjo, vocals), Royal Masat (bass, vocals), Jarrod Walker (mandolin, vocals) and Alex Hargraves (fiddle) plus Brion (bass, drums, percussion), Chamberlain (drums), Jerry Douglas (Dobro), Jason Carter (fiddle), Lindsay Lou (backing vocals), Nathaniel Smith (cello), Taneka Samone (backing vocals), Cory Henry (piano), Peter "Madcat" Ruth (harmonica, jaw harp) and Victor Furtado (clawhammer banjo).
The track list is:
Leaning on a Travelin' Song - 3:58
In the Clear - 2:57
Escanaba - 4:34
Gild the Lily - 5:06
Seven Weeks In County - 4:16
Stratosphere Blues / I Believe in You - 5:51
Cabin Song - 3:15
Don't Be Calling Me (at 4AM) - 3:15
Malfunction Junction - 4:52
Catch and Release - 2:14
Be Your Man - 4:01
Gone a Long Time - 3:02
It Ain't Before - 3:46
My Alice - 4:06
Seney Stretch - 4:34
MORBUD4ME - 2:55
Leadfoot - 2:46
Happy Hollow - 2:46
The Beginning of the End - 3:57
Richard Petty - 1:57
More news for Billy Strings
- 09/19/25: Strings takes home biggest IBMA honor
- 09/16/25: Strings extends tour into winter
- 07/16/25: Strings, Krauss score IBMA nominations
- 05/13/25: Strings tours through the fall
- 04/07/25: Strings, Sutton go live
- 01/28/25: Strings heads west...to Australia, New Zealand
- 01/07/25: Strings continues tour
- 10/07/24: Combs, Church, Strings, Taylor plan Hurricane Helene benefit
CD reviews for Billy Strings
Never a judicious editor, Billy Strings' latest is 74 minutes of mind-expanding 'grassicana. The thing is, while it runs a bit long one is at a loss as to what could or should have been held in reserve; even the most frivolous numbers — "MORBUD4ME," "Richard Petty" and "Catch and Release," perhaps — add humor and context to the recording. "Highway Prayers" is a powerful set of music, covering the bluegrass and rootsicana bases. ...
It's just like Billy Strings to have a song title that reads like a heavy metal track ("Hellbender") for a tune that sounds like traditional bluegrass music. When it comes to creating music, though, the phrase, 'It's all good,' actually applies to Strings – for once. "Renewal" is over an hour of music, and is (mostly) bluegrass – at heart – but not just bluegrass music.
"Hide And Seek" is one of the most complicated recordings, ...
As befits the reigning IBMA Guitar Player of the Year, Billy Strings' second full release, "Home" displays his guitar-playing range. But, there is much more to the fellow that rages through live shows, and those qualities are displayed on "Home."
Strings (born William Apostol) lives up to his nom de guerre. Electric, acoustic 6- or 12-string guitar provide the ingredients for his work, and his guitar work is mostly, although not always, delivered at a breakneck tempo, ...
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