Billy Strings

About Billy Strings

Born William Lee Apostol in Lansing in 1992, Strings grew up immersed in acoustic music through his father and uncle, both accomplished musicians. He picked up a guitar at four years old and was performing at bluegrass picking parties by six, earning the nickname that stuck. A stint with a heavy metal band in middle school pulled him into a drug-using circle he felt was destructive, prompting him to return to bluegrass as a steadier creative path.

After high school, Strings relocated to Traverse City, Michigan, where the local music scene and open-mike nights at venues like the Hayloft connected him with mandolinist Don Julin, who became a mentor and recording partner. He released the home-brewed solo album Fiddle Tune X in 2014 and recorded a duo project titled Rock of Ages with Julin while building a reputation in Michigan's roots music community. In 2016, he moved to Nashville and began working with producer Glenn Brown, known for his collaborations with Greensky Bluegrass. His 2017 album Turmoil & Tinfoil expanded his sonic palette, and a subsequent deal with Rounder Records led to Home in 2019, which claimed the Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album. The pandemic afforded Strings time to deepen his songwriting, resulting in 2021's Renewal, which pushed into darker, more personal territory with expanded arrangements. The Groove Hunter currently tracks 6 editions across Strings's catalog, including Home, Renewal, Live Vol. 1, Me/and/Dad[LP], Highway Prayers 180gm, and So Much For Goodbyes.