See, that's why Billy Strings is “the man”

Do you think you had a busy weekend last week? Try the Billy Strings route to learn more about size. After releasing his first original album in three years – the 20-song album Highway Prayers on Friday, September 27th – Strings also hosted its own music festival over the weekend, the Billy Strings Renewal Festival in Buena Vista, Colorado.

Then, just before Billy was about to take the stage for his headlining performance on Friday night to perform songs from the new album, he received a call from home. His wife was in labor and was about to give birth to the couple's first child – a son. It couldn't have been an easy decision, or maybe it was. Anyway, Strings left the festival and headed home as the line-up was reshuffled in his absence.

On Saturday, local talent lined up to make up for the lack of Billy Strings at the Billy Strings Festival. And although many had traveled and paid big money to see Billy but were unable to do so, they still saw what many of those in attendance considered some of the most unforgettable live music moments they had ever experienced.

It was flatpicking phenom and fast-rising bluegrass star Molly Tuttle who stepped into the Billy Strings' void. This seemed appropriate since the two appeared as close friends and friendly rivals in the bluegrass scene, trading IBMA trophies for Guitarist of the Year and, more recently, Grammy Awards for Best Bluegrass Album.

In advance of the headlining set, the band Billy Strings, consisting of Billy Failing on banjo, Royal Masat on bass, Jarrod Walker on mandolin and Alex Hargreaves on violin, formed a troupe with legendary bluegrass pickers Jerry Douglas and Larry Nicknamed “Clusterpick”. Keel, along with members of the Mountain Grass Unit, Molly Tuttle's Golden Highway Band, cellist Nat Smith and Circles Around The Sun's Mark Levy, all of whom take turns leading or joining the band.

Then Molly Tuttle took the stage to round off the evening with the band Billy Strings behind her and played a huge set consisting of around 29 songs and ended in an epic rendition of the Beatles song “With a Little Help From My Friends”. culminated famously by Ringo Starr. Both the song and the performance had a special meaning. It was Ringo Starr who had lent Strings his private jet so he could get home in time for his son's birth.

Those in attendance claim it was a performance for the ages, even if some were a little ambivalent. Of course, everyone can understand that Strings wants to be present at the birth of his son. But they paid for two Billy Strings gigs and walked away with no money. It's not like these things will come up in the short term either. The fact that the celebration coincided with the birth window seemed a little short-sighted to me.

One would not want to characterize it as if the audience at the Renewal Festival was in a state of revolt. This wasn't an Eric Church scenario where he 86'a show for a basketball game. But there were a few rumors from people who felt a little changed by the experience. After all, there is no live artist in the world who can replace Billy Strings, especially not in the eyes of his most loyal fans.

But while the audience was mostly understanding, if not mildly disappointed and not outright angry, new father Billy Strings announced Monday afternoon (10-1) that anyone who feels they deserve it will be offered a refund becomes . Recognize what that means. The festival has happened. All the supporting and headlining colleagues played and who knows how much money was spent on production costs. But Billy was proud to please his fans.

And you know for a fact that some didn't think a refund was necessary. It's really the thought that counts. And as disappointing as it may have been for many not to be able to see Billy Strings in the east, in the heart of bluegrass country in Kentucky and the Blue Ridge of North Carolina, they endured a bad weekend of biblical proportions after Hurricane Helene, putting all the hardships Billy and his fans endured into a larger context.

Bluegrass music continues, but there are moments that leave an indelible mark on your life, from the virtuous to the disastrous. That should always be our top priority.

And in the end, Billy Strings got it right.