History of Billy Strings in Timeline

Billy Strings is a highly acclaimed American guitarist, singer, songwriter, and bluegrass musician. He has released four studio albums and has garnered significant recognition in the bluegrass music scene. His album 'Home' earned him a Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album in 2021, followed by another win in the same category in 2025 for 'Live Vol. 1', solidifying his position as a leading figure in contemporary bluegrass.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

October 3, 1992: William Lee Apostol Born

On October 3, 1992, William Lee Apostol, who would become known as Billy Strings, was born. He is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, and bluegrass musician.

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2012: Partnership with Don Julin

In 2012, Billy Strings began a partnership with Don Julin, a mandolin player, after Julin asked Strings to join him on a paying gig. This partnership lasted for four years.

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2014: Meeting Ally Dale

In 2014, Billy Strings began dating Ally Dale after meeting at the Ore Dock Brewing Co. in Marquette, Michigan. Dale also worked as his tour manager during the beginnings of his career.

2016: Awards and Recognition

In 2016, Billy Strings was awarded the Momentum Instrumentalist of the Year award by the International Bluegrass Music Association. Also in 2016, Bluegrass Situation named him a scene tastemaker.

February 2017: Rising Star and Collaborations

In February 2017, Billy Strings was named one of the six new rising stars of bluegrass by Acoustic Guitar. He also collaborated with Molly Tuttle on the songs "Sittin' on Top of the World" and "Billy in the Lowground".

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2017: Artist in Residence at Grey Fox

In 2017, Billy Strings served as the very first artist in residence at Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival.

2017: Rolling Stone Top Ten New Country Artists

In 2017, Rolling Stone named Billy Strings one of the Top Ten New Country Artists to Know. Lisa Snedeker of HuffPost also proclaimed Turmoil & Tinfoil as one of the best albums of the year. In September it charted at No. 3 on the Billboard Bluegrass charts.

February 12, 2018: Rolling Stone Article

On February 12, 2018, Rolling Stone published an article titled "Bluegrass Prodigy Billy Strings Plots 2018 Spring Tour", recognizing Billy Strings as one of the latest breakneck guitar pickers to emerge in the bluegrass world.

March 2018: Bluegrass Underground Performance

In March 2018, PBS announced that Billy Strings would be the inaugural performer at the new cave for the renowned series Bluegrass Underground in the caverns of Pelham, Tennessee.

March 2018: Music Video Release and Tour Plans

In March 2018, Rolling Stone released Billy Strings' debut music video for his song "Dealing Despair" from his album Turmoil & Tinfoil. He also planned to play over 200 shows in 2018.

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2018: Continued Residency at Grey Fox

In 2018, Billy Strings continued to serve as an artist in residence at Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival.

January 2019: Rolling Stone Article

In January 2019, Rolling Stone published an article titled "Why Guitarist Billy Strings Is the Bluegrass Star You Don't Want to Miss."

June 2019: Signed to Rounder Records

In June 2019, Billy Strings was signed to Rounder Records.

September 26, 2019: IBMA Guitar Player of the Year

On September 26, 2019, Billy Strings was voted the International Bluegrass Music Association Guitar Player of the Year in Raleigh, North Carolina.

September 27, 2019: Album Release

On September 27, 2019, Billy Strings released his album Home under Rounder Records, produced and engineered by Glenn Brown. It became his most successful release yet.

July 2021: Newport Folk Festival

In July 2021, Billy Strings performed as a solo artist at the Newport Folk Festival.

September 24, 2021: Album Release: Renewal

On September 24, 2021, Billy Strings released his third studio album, Renewal.

2021: Collaboration with Billy & the Kids

In 2021, Billy Strings joined Bill Kreutzmann's Billy & the Kids for a number of shows, along with James Casey.

2021: Grammy Award for Home

In 2021, Billy Strings won the Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album for his album Home.

July 3, 2022: Alex Hargreaves Joins the Band

On July 3, 2022, Billy Strings' touring band expanded to a five-piece with Alex Hargreaves becoming a permanent member during a show in Baltimore. The band includes Billy Failing, Royal Masat, Jarrod Walker, and Alex Hargreaves.

October 3, 2022: Album Announcement: Me/And/Dad

On October 3, 2022, Billy Strings announced the album Me/And/Dad, a project with his father Terry Barber, which pays tribute to the man who raised him and taught him guitar.

November 2022: Album Release and Single

In November 2022, Billy Strings released Me/And/Dad, a collection of traditional, country, and bluegrass music. On the same day, the two-song single "Long Journey Home" / "Life to Go" was released, featuring Barber on vocals for "Life to Go."

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2022: International Bluegrass Music Awards

At the 2022 International Bluegrass Music Awards, Billy Strings won Entertainer of the Year for the second consecutive year, and "Red Daisy" won Song of the Year.

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September 9, 2023: Marriage to Ally Dale

On September 9, 2023, Billy Strings married Ally Dale in a private ceremony at the Hoxeyville Music Festival venue in Wellston, Michigan, after nine years of dating. Musicians Trey Anastasio, Les Claypool, and Bob Weir performed at the ceremony.

2023: Live recordings for Live Vol. 1

In 2023, Billy Strings recorded the live tracks included in the Live Vol. 1 album, which would be released in 2024.

2023: First Official Live Recording Released

On December 8th, 2023, Billy Strings released his first official live recording, a 38-minute single recorded on March 4th, 2023, at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The single contained a medley of songs.

June 22, 2024: Pregnancy Announcement

On June 22, 2024, Billy Strings and Ally Dale announced they were expecting their first child together.

September 29, 2024: Birth of Son

On September 29, 2024, Billy Strings and Ally Dale welcomed their son into the world.

2024: Live Vol. 1 Release and Grammy Win

In 2024, Billy Strings released his first full-length live album, Live Vol. 1, containing live recordings from 2023 and 2024. The album would go on to win the Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album.

January 24, 2025: Winter Tour Launch

On January 24, 2025, Billy Strings launched his Winter Tour with three shows at Denver's Ball Arena. The opening Friday night show had the biggest indoor crowd he'd ever played for, which was topped on Saturday night.