Billy Strings

Born William Lee Apostol on October 3, 1992, in Lansing, Michigan, Billy Strings grew up between Morehead, Kentucky, and Muir, Michigan, steeped in bluegrass by his stepfather Terry Barber, an accomplished amateur bluegrass musician who introduced him to Doc Watson, Bill Monroe, Earl Scruggs, and Del McCoury. His aunt gave him the stage name after seeing his command of multiple traditional bluegrass instruments. After leaving home at 13 and playing in hard rock and indie rock bands as a teenager, he joined mandolin player Don Julin for a paying gig in 2012, launching a four-year professional partnership.

His 2019 album “Home,” released through Rounder Records, marked his breakthrough. It topped the Billboard Bluegrass Albums chart for 77 weeks and won his first Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards in 2021. He followed it with “Renewal” in September 2021, his second consecutive studio album to reach number one on that chart, and has since released “Live Vol. 1” and “Highway Prayers.”

Three of his albums have now won the Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album, in 2021, 2025, and 2026, from eight nominations. He also holds two Americana Music Honors & Awards wins and seven International Bluegrass Music Awards. Onstage, he has sustained relentless touring schedules from 2017 through 2026, including Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall Tours, and has performed tracks like “Taking Water” and “Red Daisy” on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

Blending traditional bluegrass with the rock and metal influences of his youth, from Jimi Hendrix to Black Sabbath and Phish, Strings has become one of the most decorated and in-demand live performers in American roots music today.