Billy Strings at Frost Amphitheater

For fans who are new to the Bluegrass music scene, Billy Strings might be a name that comes off as an overnight success. However, die-hard fans of the Michigan native know that Strings' connection to the genre did not happen overnight. His ties to Bluegrass music are long and deep. Coming from a family of musicians, Strings was encouraged by his parents to pick up the guitar at a very young age — five years old, to be exact. His stepfather, Terry Barber, an accomplished amateur bluegrass musician, introduced him to traditional bluegrass artists like Doc Watson, Larry Sparks, Bill Monroe, David Grisman, and Del McCoury, among many others.

His stepfather's influence and his interesting childhood and teenage life became the driving force behind how he became the artist he is today. One will easily understand how he is able to write songs about addiction and troubled family dynamics in a very creative way upon knowing that he had firsthand experience with such crucial topics. Strings' biological father died in a drug overdose when he was still two years old. There was also a point when his mother and stepfather struggled with meth addiction. With such tough times and painful losses, he himself found himself dealing with substance abuse as a young adult but eventually found sobriety.

He moved from his hometown in Lansing, Michigan, to Nashville, where he was discovered through his work with mandolinist Don Julin. Strings went alone after working with Julin for four years. His work as a solo artist was a success over the years. However, it was his critically-acclaimed fourth album, "Home," that sealed the deal for the guitar-slinging singer-songwriter. To this day, the album remains the career-defining record for Strings. Peaking at number 1 on the Billboard Bluegrass chart— and staying there for a whopping 77 weeks— the album's success is yet to be surpassed. With hit songs like "Taking the Water," "Away from the Mire," and the title track "Home," the album was unsurprisingly a commercial and critical success. To top it all, the album enabled Strings to receive his first Grammy nomination and win for Best Bluegrass Album at the 63rd Grammy Awards.

He followed the album in 2021 with the release of "Renewal." Another Grammy-nominated album, the record did not disappoint in showing off his storytelling abilities, virtuosic guitar skills, and powerful vocals that show depth and emotion. Although there isn't a new album that is underway, fans are hoping that Billy Strings will drop a new record anytime soon — most especially after the Grammy award-winning artist made a collaboration with the legendary Willie Nelson. The song "California Sober" is an instant hit among bluegrass and country music fans.

Fans may need to wait for Strings to release a new album; however, they need not wait to see him perform onstage again. The 30-year-old star is embarking on a world tour this year to give all his fans a piece of his artistry. Catch him in the North American leg of his trek this October 6 at the Frost Amphitheatre in Stanford, California. Tickets for the show are now on sale, and you better get yours here before they run out. Click the "Get Tickets" link to reserve your tickets.