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 is celebrated for his exceptional guitar skills and contributions to the bluegrass genre. His album 'Home' secured the Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album in 2021, and he earned the same award again in 2025 for 'Live Vol. 1', solidifying his place as a leading figure in contemporary bluegrass music.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

October 3, 1992: William Lee Apostol born

On October 3, 1992, William Lee Apostol, who would later be known as Billy Strings, was born.

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2012: Partnership with Don Julin

In 2012, Billy Strings began a four-year partnership with Don Julin after Julin asked Strings to join him on a paying gig.

2014: Met Ally Dale

In 2014, Billy Strings began dating yoga instructor Ally Dale after meeting at the Ore Dock Brewing Co. in Marquette, Michigan.

2016: Awards from IBMA and Bluegrass Situation

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

February 2017: Rising Star Recognition and Collaborations

In February 2017, Acoustic Guitar named Billy Strings one of the six new rising stars of bluegrass. 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 first artist in residence at Grey Fox.

2017: Recognition by Rolling Stone and HuffPost

In 2017, Rolling Stone named Billy Strings one of the Top Ten New Country Artists to Know. Lisa Snedeker of HuffPost proclaimed the album Turmoil & Tinfoil as one of the best albums of the year.

February 12, 2018: Rolling Stone Article on Billy Strings

On February 12, 2018, Rolling Stone published an article titled "Bluegrass Prodigy Billy Strings Plots 2018 Spring Tour", recognizing his talent and announcing his upcoming tour.

March 2018: Inaugural Performer at Bluegrass Underground

In March 2018, PBS announced that Billy Strings would be the inaugural performer at the new cave for the series Bluegrass Underground in 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 during 2018.

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2018: Artist in Residence at Grey Fox

In 2018, Billy Strings served as the artist in residence at Grey Fox for a second year in a row.

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 signed with 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: Release of Album Home

On September 27, 2019, Billy Strings released his album Home under Rounder Records, produced and engineered by Glenn Brown. It achieved commercial success, topping multiple charts.

July 2021: Performer at Newport Folk Festival

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

September 24, 2021: Release of Renewal Album

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

2021: Grammy Award for Home

In 2021, Billy String's album Home won the Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album.

2021: Joined Billy & the Kids

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

July 3, 2022: Alex Hargreaves Joins Band

On July 3, 2022, Billy Strings' touring band expanded to a five-piece when fiddler Alex Hargreaves became a permanent member during a show in Baltimore.

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

On October 3, 2022, Billy Strings announced the album Me/And/Dad, a project with his father Terry Barber, consisting of traditional, country and bluegrass music.

November 2022: Release of Me/And/Dad Album

In November 2022, the album Me/And/Dad, a collection of traditional, country and bluegrass music, was released, along with the release of "Long Journey Home" / "Life to Go" as a two-song single.

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2022: IBMA 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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March 4, 2023: Live Recording at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum

On March 4, 2023, Billy Strings recorded a live performance at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, which was released as his first official live recording on December 8, 2023.

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. Musicians Trey Anastasio, Les Claypool, and Bob Weir performed at the ceremony.

December 8, 2023: Release of First Official Live Recording

On December 8, 2023, Billy Strings released his first official live recording, a 38-minute single recorded on March 4, 2023.

2023: Live Tracks Recorded for Live Vol. 1

In 2023, live tracks were recorded by Billy Strings that would later be included on his album Live Vol. 1, which was released on July 12, 2024.

June 22, 2024: Pregnancy Announcement

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

July 12, 2024: Release of Live Vol. 1

On July 12, 2024, Billy Strings released his first full-length live album, Live Vol. 1, which included live recordings of eight tracks from 2023 and 2024.

September 27, 2024: Release of Highway Prayers Album

On September 27, 2024, Billy Strings released his 4th studio album and first for Reprise Records called Highway Prayers.

September 29, 2024: Birth of Son

On September 29, 2024, Billy Strings and Ally Dale's son was born.

Others born on this day/year

November 1, 2024: Highway Prayers Performed in Full

On November 1, 2024, during a fall tour stop in Baltimore Maryland, Billy Strings performed his album Highway Prayers in its entirety for the first set of the concert.

January 24, 2025: Winter Tour Launch at Ball Arena

On January 24, 2025, Billy Strings launched his Winter Tour with three shows at Denver's Ball Arena, featuring the biggest indoor crowd he'd ever played for on Friday night, and topping that crowd on Saturday night.