Billy Strings, a born performer revitalizing bluegrass music, shares his journey from substance abuse struggles to music passion. He talks about his musical influences, love for guitar playing, and meeting musical heroes. The podcast highlights his unique music style and the impact of his family on his musical sensibilities.
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Quick takeaways
Billy Strings revitalizes bluegrass for modern audiences with his infectious stage presence.
Personal struggles with substance abuse and family addiction shaped Billy Strings' musical journey.
Rediscovering his passion for bluegrass music, Billy Strings embraces his musical roots and family legacy.
Billy Strings' transformative journey from challenging times to musical success showcases the power of perseverance and personal growth.
Deep dives
Learning to Play Guitar and Early Musical Influences
Starting from a young age, the speaker developed a passion for music instilled by his father. His father introduced him to various musical genres, including bluegrass, Doc Watson, Bob Wills, and Earl Scruggs. He recalls moments of mimicking sounds on a toy guitar and later progressing to playing chords like G, C, and D. His musical journey expanded to electric guitar songs like Voodoo Child and Hey Joe, broadening his skills.
Expanding Musical Horizons and Forming Bands
As the speaker continued to explore music, he began playing in metal bands as a teenager to connect with peers and shift away from the bluegrass genre. He transitioned from playing classic rock and metal to joining bands like 'To One Star Can Scar' and 'A Day of Moments,' focusing on original compositions. However, challenges such as substance abuse within the bands led to difficulties and ultimately the band's breakup.
Facing Personal Struggles and Influences of Substance Abuse
The speaker faced personal struggles due to family members' addiction, particularly to meth, which influenced his surroundings during his teenage years. While experimenting with substances, he managed to avoid addiction, having witnessed the impact of drug abuse on his family. Despite encountering rough times during his youth, the speaker learned valuable life lessons and maintained a strong resolve.
Return to Bluegrass and Musical Identity
Following the breakup of his metal bands and personal challenges, the speaker rediscovered his passion for bluegrass music. Despite exploring different genres, he found solace and connection with his roots in bluegrass. This return to his musical origins marked a significant shift in his musical identity, embracing his family's legacy, and incorporating new influences into his evolving sound.
Started as a Fan of Doc Watson on YouTube
The speaker recalls watching Doc Watson videos on YouTube at a friend's house and being inspired to play bluegrass. Despite initially struggling to solo over chords, a pivotal jam session with the speaker's father helped him understand the importance of playing the melody rather than just soloing. This realization marked a shift in his approach to playing music, leading him to focus on learning note-for-note from artists like Doc Watson.
Reuniting with Father's Martin Guitar
The speaker shares a heartfelt story of reuniting with his father's Martin guitar, a significant family heirloom. After discovering the guitar for sale online, the speaker embarked on a three-month effort to save up and repurchase the guitar, which held deep sentimental value for both the speaker and his father. The emotional reunion with the guitar brought tears and a sense of closure, connecting the speaker to cherished memories and musical traditions.
Journey from Troubled Past to Music Career
The speaker reflects on his tumultuous past, including struggles with alcohol, homelessness, and personal challenges. Overcoming a period of heavy drinking and instability, the speaker found stability and support from friends and mentors, which fueled his passion for music and helped him transition into a professional music career. Through perseverance, therapy, and personal growth, the speaker transformed his life and channeled his experiences into meaningful music and collaboration with acclaimed artists like John Bryan.
When Marc saw Billy Strings play live on stage at Willie Nelson’s birthday show, he watched a born performer make bluegrass music vital to a modern audience. Billy talks with Marc about his joy of guitar playing as an adolescent in Michigan, how his family helped shape his musical sensibilities, and how substance abuse in and around his life worked hard to crush his dreams. Now invested more in playing than in partying, Billy also talks about the music he loves and the musical heroes he’s been honored to meet.
