Billy Strings in Portland

Billy Strings is an American bluegrass singer, guitarist and songwriter, born William Lee Apostol in Lansing, Michigan, in 1992. His fast flatpicking and improvisational approach shape albums including Home, Renewal and Highway Prayers, as well as songs such as “Dust in a Baggie” and “Meet Me at the Creek.” Home won the Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album. He made his Grand Ole Opry debut in 2019 and headlined Red Rocks Amphitheatre in 2021. Two years later, he played a two-night run at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. His concerts use acoustic string-band instrumentation and leave room for extended improvisation, while changing set lists draw on original songs, traditional bluegrass and selected covers. The five-piece lineup pairs his guitar with Billy Failing on banjo, Royal Masat on bass, Jarrod Walker on mandolin and Alex Hargreaves on fiddle.