When I was first getting into playing bluegrass I used to have the exact same definition of flat picking as describe at the beginning of this video, but as I listened to more and more greats to learn their stuff you would hear obvious things like hammer ons and legato runs that I assumed were no-nos. Not that often but you would definitely hear them. So I asked an old bluegrass guy who had been playing all his life and he said “flat picking just means you use a pick”
Billy Strings born William Apostle in Lansing, Michigan in 1992. Had a guitar in his hands as a toddler. His Aunt dubbed Him Billy Strings because he always had a guitar in his hands. This live video is from like 2018, early on. He won a Grammy for best bluegrass album in 2022. Can play all types of music, including Heavy metal. he also plays the hell out the Banjo and Mandolin. He is a MEGA star and has played with many many greats. Thanks for sharing guys, good stuff!!! Love your reaction.
You guys pretty much nailed the Billy Strings experience. He played in a hardcore metal band in high school but changed out for the music that his father taught him. His live shows are electric and you should catch him if you get the chance. Where to go from here? Meet Me At the Creek. Dealing Despair. Dust in a Baggie. Hell, find a recording of War Pigs from Halloween. Welcome to the rabbit hole!
WHAT?!! Billy was in a hardcore metal band? That's my music and it's what I play now (I play bass) but I found Billy through the Theo Vaughn Podcast a few weeks ago but I felt like Billy had they edge to him and now to hear he was into hardcore and metal makes me respect even more. Now I got to go look to see if I can find any of his old bamds/music from those days! EDIT: Billy just played a reunion show March 22nd with his friends band Flesh And Blood Robot. It was sick seeing him up tjerw and for almost 40 minutes headbanging and killing it on guitar. If you search UA-cam Flesh And Blood Robotv with Billy Strings a bunch of videos will pop and a few have done the whole set!
You've stumbled onto a rabbit hole well worth a deep dive! Billy is not only a virtuoso level player and great singer, he's also a prolific song writer with over 60 original songs (and more than 700 covers) to choose from. Here's a link to one of his most popular songs, Dust in a Baggie. There are lots of versions of this song available on UA-cam but this one is my favorite. It's just Billy and his guitar sitting on the couch in someone's basement playing for friends. The video was recorded back in 2012 when Billy was only 19 years old. ua-cam.com/video/VFEZOjtrwls/v-deo.html
I have seen him referred to as Bluegrass Pantera. I have read that he counts Black Sabbath and Jimi Hendricks as influences. Great reaction hope there will be more Billy Strings. Another artist to check out is Sierra Hull incredible Mandolin player.
Have fun boys, you just stumbled on the best thing out right now. Billy strings absolutely shreds!!!! Just saw him live last saturday. He has a different mandolin palyer now, and the added a violin player. But he is absolutley killing it, most of his live shows are complete sell outs. Won a grammy a few years back with his debut album, been on fire ever since.
This song is about his earlier teenage life when he was surrounded by heavy drug use that created turmoil. Hence the title. He left these surroundings to save himself. Welcome to the world of Billy He has since added a fiddle player. For a mind blowing jam, Billy with Tommy Emmanuel playing Guitar Boogie and Working Man Blues
His breakout hit was 'Dust in a Baggie' Got him on the Opry and won him a Grammy. He has a ton of original stuff and covers ALL or seems like all of the bluegrass classics. Very old style and respectful...sometimes. 😊 Many call his work metalgrass. But you really can't box him in. He plays a LOT of Grateful Dead.
Been a billy strings fan for a decade or so and he is top tier talented. His style is like no other and his Genre has been called Psychedelic Bluegrass.
I saw him in Indy last night...he played 28 songs...Billy opened for Metallica at Lollapolusa and brought the house down on metal fans...if you want something really cool check out his collaboration with Marcus King at Carter Guitar where they perform Summertime...Billy has also played with Willie, Brian Sutton and Dirks Bentley.
@307 Reacts - You really need to check out "Meet Me at the Creek" (Ogden Theater) if you really want your mind blown. Also, Billy learned to play bluegrass at age 4 with his stepdad and his friends. He is freaking amazing. Also, he said he learned to play guitar then, but then he learned to perform in death metal bands. Also, within the last 6 months or so, he has also even played with Tool a couple times, so the guy gets around. Check this one out though: ua-cam.com/video/PBep_kSkXRw/v-deo.htmlsi=zKmI58n_p_5CI9h_
Must see Billy Strings & Don Julin doing "Little Maggie" from Second Story Garage; saw these 2 TWICE near Clevelsnd, OH venues years ago; can't say enough about 'em. Don went on teaching mandolin, and Billy, well, won a Grammy! Well deserved!!!
YAY.... y'all took a look at Billy doing his crazy phrygian #PanteraBluegrass song. :D I *love* this. It's one of my favourite live music captures on the Toob. For anyone who'd like an enthusiastic & super informative breakdown of this performance, Michael Palmisano did his thing with it: ua-cam.com/video/zfPn1u8AwJ0/v-deo.html ;)
You have discovered why people call him BMFS. (Billy M*ther F*cking Strings!) This video is from a few years ago. I saw BMFS in a 2000 seat venue in the spring of 22. Less than 12 months later he was selling out arenas. You really can’t go wrong reacting to ANY BMFS songs or videos.
He's a michigan artist. Grew up as a metal kid with a huge bluegrass support system that taught him how to play. His dad Terry Barber was and still is a great songwriter. Also check out "Full Cord" another michigan based bluegrass outfit that helped support Billy while crushing it on their own.
Com'n Guy's. They usually refer to him as BMFS. You can guess what those initials mean. It's meant as the hugest compliment to Mr. Strings. He is only just some of the hottest chit out there now. Look up his concerts and the who's who that have wanted to play with him and he's invited to his stage for a tune. Derek Trucks for example. Ricky Skaggs. Bela Fleck. Sorry...just read what I'd typed and it sounded bad. Too enthusiastic. 😮 Sorry for sounding off...just really a Billy fan. I just really hope you bring him onto your radar. Many of his concerts are online. 💓✌
Something else to know about a mandolin: it frickin HURTS! I thought I had guitar calluses, but they are powerless before the Finger Shredder 5000 with its patented Double Shredding Action and Angry Tight Strings.
if you wanna see Jarrod Walker (mandolin player) absolutely go hard af find a good quality video of them covering west dakota rose. shit makes my face melt seeing it live!
The reason you don't hear a lot of hammers, pull offs and slides in bluegrass is because it's hard to play them loud enough on an acoustic, especially when trying to cut through the rest of the band. Same with fingerpicking. Billy is all mic'd up and even running through pedals, so he can get away with a lot of nontraditional stuff.
Early on Billy was heavily influenced by Mettallica, Black Sabbath etc. hence the power chords he’s morphing with bluegrass…perfectly. 😊 His dad taught him picking early in his life when just a wee lad.
Next check out Marcus King he is another young guitar player worth checking out. There is a video of Billy Strings and Marcus King playing the classic Summertime and the Marcus King Band Jam in a Van videos are all great.
So Glad You Found Billy! Now you must check out some of his better performances! Check out the song " Let the Cocaine Be" on Theo Vonn's Podcast. I play 5 string Banjo, 6 and 12 string Guitar; I grew up in 16th timing, having a Banjo for my 6th Christmas. I see some other guy got you for the flat picking mistake, Ya'll just didn't grow up in Appalachia. First time I heard him I said Doc Watson taught him to play and I was right. My Brother about died when I gleaned that from one song, that style is rare these days. You must checkout Beth and Joe also.
Your definition of flatpicking is incorrect. It’s down up and you pick every note down and up down and up down and up. No no flat pickers actually do just die. They also use pull offs but it doesn’t take the place of a down or up. Pick it comes in between.
When I was first getting into playing bluegrass I used to have the exact same definition of flat picking as describe at the beginning of this video, but as I listened to more and more greats to learn their stuff you would hear obvious things like hammer ons and legato runs that I assumed were no-nos. Not that often but you would definitely hear them. So I asked an old bluegrass guy who had been playing all his life and he said “flat picking just means you use a pick”
Best comment on this post.
Welcome to the Billy Strings experience!.
Other people have pointed out that he uses heavy metal chord structures. From his youthful sidebar with the genre.
Billy Strings born William Apostle in Lansing, Michigan in 1992. Had a guitar in his hands as a toddler. His Aunt dubbed Him Billy Strings because he always had a guitar in his hands. This live video is from like 2018, early on. He won a Grammy for best bluegrass album in 2022. Can play all types of music, including Heavy metal. he also plays the hell out the Banjo and Mandolin. He is a MEGA star and has played with many many greats. Thanks for sharing guys, good stuff!!! Love your reaction.
When Billy's feeling consequential you know shits about to go down hahah
You guys pretty much nailed the Billy Strings experience. He played in a hardcore metal band in high school but changed out for the music that his father taught him. His live shows are electric and you should catch him if you get the chance.
Where to go from here? Meet Me At the Creek. Dealing Despair. Dust in a Baggie. Hell, find a recording of War Pigs from Halloween. Welcome to the rabbit hole!
WHAT?!! Billy was in a hardcore metal band? That's my music and it's what I play now (I play bass) but I found Billy through the Theo Vaughn Podcast a few weeks ago but I felt like Billy had they edge to him and now to hear he was into hardcore and metal makes me respect even more.
Now I got to go look to see if I can find any of his old bamds/music from those days!
EDIT: Billy just played a reunion show March 22nd with his friends band Flesh And Blood Robot. It was sick seeing him up tjerw and for almost 40 minutes headbanging and killing it on guitar. If you search UA-cam Flesh And Blood Robotv with Billy Strings a bunch of videos will pop and a few have done the whole set!
You've stumbled onto a rabbit hole well worth a deep dive! Billy is not only a virtuoso level player and great singer, he's also a prolific song writer with over 60 original songs (and more than 700 covers) to choose from. Here's a link to one of his most popular songs, Dust in a Baggie. There are lots of versions of this song available on UA-cam but this one is my favorite. It's just Billy and his guitar sitting on the couch in someone's basement playing for friends. The video was recorded back in 2012 when Billy was only 19 years old. ua-cam.com/video/VFEZOjtrwls/v-deo.html
He was so young there ❤
Billy strings and everyone in his band absolutely is on fire here as they are every single night they play, good video brothers!!
His song Away from the mire is something very different but you will still be amazed at his skill
I have seen him referred to as Bluegrass Pantera. I have read that he counts Black Sabbath and Jimi Hendricks as influences. Great reaction hope there will be more Billy Strings. Another artist to check out is Sierra Hull incredible Mandolin player.
Amazing music 🎉❤ need more!!
Have fun boys, you just stumbled on the best thing out right now. Billy strings absolutely shreds!!!! Just saw him live last saturday.
He has a different mandolin palyer now, and the added a violin player. But he is absolutley killing it, most of his live shows are complete sell outs. Won a grammy a few years back with his debut album, been on fire ever since.
You did my request!!
Thanks so damn much
Love yall
Outstanding reaction video! DEFINITELY following.
This song is about his earlier teenage life when he was surrounded by heavy drug use that created turmoil. Hence the title.
He left these surroundings to save himself.
Welcome to the world of Billy
He has since added a fiddle player.
For a mind blowing jam, Billy with Tommy Emmanuel playing Guitar Boogie and Working Man Blues
Dude that boogie is hot. Tommy Emmanuel is such a legend.
His breakout hit was 'Dust in a Baggie' Got him on the Opry and won him a Grammy. He has a ton of original stuff and covers ALL or seems like all of the bluegrass classics. Very old style and respectful...sometimes. 😊 Many call his work metalgrass. But you really can't box him in. He plays a LOT of Grateful Dead.
"Althea!"
“Everybody’s laser focused”
“FUCK YOU GOTTA BE”
Seriously though Billy is changing the game. He’s doing metal as bluegrass and it’s incredible
Been a billy strings fan for a decade or so and he is top tier talented. His style is like no other and his Genre has been called Psychedelic Bluegrass.
Billy Strings and Marcus King playing lonesome fugitive is 100% worth taking the time to react to. I promise it will not disappoint!
I saw him in Indy last night...he played 28 songs...Billy opened for Metallica at Lollapolusa and brought the house down on metal fans...if you want something really cool check out his collaboration with Marcus King at Carter Guitar where they perform Summertime...Billy has also played with Willie, Brian Sutton and Dirks Bentley.
That rendition of Summertime is PRIMO!
Agree. I consider it a definitive version of Summertime
Aside from him loving all music in general. Billy is actually a huge metal head, his detached right earlobe is a result of Michigan mosh pit.
@307 Reacts - You really need to check out "Meet Me at the Creek" (Ogden Theater) if you really want your mind blown. Also, Billy learned to play bluegrass at age 4 with his stepdad and his friends. He is freaking amazing. Also, he said he learned to play guitar then, but then he learned to perform in death metal bands. Also, within the last 6 months or so, he has also even played with Tool a couple times, so the guy gets around. Check this one out though: ua-cam.com/video/PBep_kSkXRw/v-deo.htmlsi=zKmI58n_p_5CI9h_
Must see Billy Strings & Don Julin doing "Little Maggie" from Second Story Garage; saw these 2 TWICE near Clevelsnd, OH venues years ago; can't say enough about 'em. Don went on teaching mandolin, and Billy, well, won a Grammy! Well deserved!!!
YAY.... y'all took a look at Billy doing his crazy phrygian #PanteraBluegrass song. :D
I *love* this. It's one of my favourite live music captures on the Toob.
For anyone who'd like an enthusiastic & super informative breakdown of this performance, Michael Palmisano did his thing with it: ua-cam.com/video/zfPn1u8AwJ0/v-deo.html ;)
You have discovered why people call him BMFS. (Billy M*ther F*cking Strings!)
This video is from a few years ago. I saw BMFS in a 2000 seat venue in the spring of 22. Less than 12 months later he was selling out arenas.
You really can’t go wrong reacting to ANY BMFS songs or videos.
We definitely have more of him on the list. He’s unbelievable!
He's a michigan artist. Grew up as a metal kid with a huge bluegrass support system that taught him how to play.
His dad Terry Barber was and still is a great songwriter.
Also check out "Full Cord" another michigan based bluegrass outfit that helped support Billy while crushing it on their own.
Watch it fall is the best Billy. BILLY also plays with Billy and the Kids
Com'n Guy's. They usually refer to him as BMFS. You can guess what those initials mean. It's meant as the hugest compliment to Mr. Strings. He is only just some of the hottest chit out there now. Look up his concerts and the who's who that have wanted to play with him and he's invited to his stage for a tune. Derek Trucks for example. Ricky Skaggs. Bela Fleck. Sorry...just read what I'd typed and it sounded bad. Too enthusiastic. 😮 Sorry for sounding off...just really a Billy fan.
I just really hope you bring him onto your radar. Many of his concerts are online. 💓✌
Billy is the hope of a Generation.
Big facts!
Oh! Great Video Brothers, can we have another?
Billy can rock as well as he can blue grass
Something else to know about a mandolin: it frickin HURTS! I thought I had guitar calluses, but they are powerless before the Finger Shredder 5000 with its patented Double Shredding Action and Angry Tight Strings.
Big big facts
You ain't lyin' ... hurting from those meat grinder strings is real. Ya just hafta keep peeling off chunks of your fingertips
Billy strings is the shiz....you need to catch him at red rocks
if you wanna see Jarrod Walker (mandolin player) absolutely go hard af find a good quality video of them covering west dakota rose. shit makes my face melt seeing it live!
The reason you don't hear a lot of hammers, pull offs and slides in bluegrass is because it's hard to play them loud enough on an acoustic, especially when trying to cut through the rest of the band. Same with fingerpicking. Billy is all mic'd up and even running through pedals, so he can get away with a lot of nontraditional stuff.
And yet my banjo music is full of them.
Welcome to the family.
Early on Billy was heavily influenced by Mettallica, Black Sabbath etc. hence the power chords he’s morphing with bluegrass…perfectly. 😊
His dad taught him picking early in his life when just a wee lad.
I have people call this bluegrass metal because they are in D minor which tons of metal songs are in that.
Some call this "proggrass", progressive bluegrass. I just call it amazing.
Do "Leftover Salmon - Aquatic Hitchhiker".........and also more Billy Strings.
He’s definitely on the list, this was UNREAL!
@@307Reacts Anything but "Dust in a Baggie"
@@307Reacts This is "Aquatic Hitchhiker" by Leftover Salmon featuring Billy Strings.....a win win. ua-cam.com/video/OBGegHr8e4o/v-deo.html
This was not a Billy Strings concert, just an appearance with multi performers. 3 songs and out, so to speak. Thanks
This will be my funeral music.
Next check out Marcus King he is another young guitar player worth checking out.
There is a video of Billy Strings and Marcus King playing the classic Summertime and the Marcus King Band Jam in a Van videos are all great.
I think it's phrygian, It's kinda like the scale and phrases you'd hear in a Conan movie haha.
Need to check more recent material from there most recent tour. They have added a fiddle which he is over the top. Please check out
Billy is heavy metal bluegrass....he is ozzy grass
Away from the mire is the best song he has
So Glad You Found Billy! Now you must check out some of his better performances! Check out the song " Let the Cocaine Be" on Theo Vonn's Podcast. I play 5 string Banjo, 6 and 12 string Guitar; I grew up in 16th timing, having a Banjo for my 6th Christmas. I see some other guy got you for the flat picking mistake, Ya'll just didn't grow up in Appalachia. First time I heard him I said Doc Watson taught him to play and I was right. My Brother about died when I gleaned that from one song, that style is rare these days. You must checkout Beth and Joe also.
They have since replaced the mandolin player and added a fiddle.
Excellent video, but I think UA-cam needs more ads
I have read that these dudes play 3 to 3.5 hours at every concert....you get your money's worth.
Turmoil and tinfoil
I went to school with him and his grandpa taught him how to play back then very nice and kind soul
I bet it was awesome having classes with him!
Check out “Dust in a Baggie”.
Do "DUST IN A BAGGIE" ❤
Billy strings plays mandolin so he knows where it lands and over lays guitar.
Metal grass metal done by a blue grass band
Your definition of flatpicking is incorrect. It’s down up and you pick every note down and up down and up down and up. No no flat pickers actually do just die. They also use pull offs but it doesn’t take the place of a down or up. Pick it comes in between.
they just opened for Metallica
Dust in a baggie
Crosspicking not flatplicking.
Crosspicking is part of flatpicking.
3 concerts on a wknd for sold out hugh venues. Individuals buy all 3 performances as they don't repeat songs...
You guys are getting so much of the technical stuff wrong it's amazing. The internet kids...Don't come here to learn.
Thanks for the view! 😉
Dead wrong on only downstringing. Just so wrong. It is up and down flatpicking,.