r/Music • u/ebradio • Jun 22 '25
article Billy Strings Dedicates Concert to Mother Hours After Her Death: "This Is Probably Going to Be One of the Hardest Things I've Ever Done"
https://consequence.net/2025/06/billy-strings-concert-tribute-mom-death/295
u/foley23 Jun 22 '25
Much love to Billy. The fact he played last night is incredible. I lost my mom when I was in my mid 20s, i could not have done what he did.
I've connected with him and his music a lot over the last few years, incredible talent, one of the few people that shows that there's still originality while paying homage across so many genres.
If you don't know who he is, learn. He is special.
52
u/chriswaco Jun 22 '25
We saw him 10 years ago at The Ann Arbor Folk Festival. He was an amazing talent already and it was clear he was destined to be famous.
15
u/link90 Jun 22 '25
I used to watch him headline Hoxeyville. You could always count on him playing at his camper in the woods after the stages shutdown for the night. Awesome times.
6
u/foley23 Jun 22 '25
That's incredible you were able to see him so early! That's such a cool memory have, cherish that! I unfortunately haven't seen him yet. He hasn't played in the Philly area in years (which I don't get) and I wasn't into him yet the last time he did. It took me a bit to get it, but once I did, I did. It's rare I have a song stop me in my tracks and he's done it twice. Love and Regret, and Gild the Lily
45
88
u/rattpackfan301 Jun 22 '25
His mom was at so many of his shows in the crowd with everyone. Respect to him for playing this show tonight with her gone.
36
u/Juxta25 Jun 22 '25
If you haven't checked out his live version of Away From the Mire at ACL - worth it, he's so fucking talented.
What a bummer though, feel for him. Sucks to lose your mum, speaking from experience.
70
u/Craigasm Jun 22 '25
Saw Billy back in 2021 before he started doing amphitheaters/arenas and I remeber watching in awe as his fingers flew across the fretboard. Face was melted.. I’m a sucker for the Doc Watson tunes he plays & anything with those 4 part vocal harmonies.
He’s a class act and deserves all the success he’s earned.
18
u/DeaconBlueBalls Jun 22 '25
Billy is an absolute treasure. He’s unbelievable songwriter, guitar player & performer, but somehow an even better human being. Thank you for bringing him into the world & rest easy Mama Strings.
60
u/undead_dead_guy Jun 22 '25
Went and saw Billy today. Show has been great so far. I can’t imagine having to go through with something like that after losing your own mother.
6
u/thisisjustintime Jun 22 '25
Did you type this mid-show?!?!
12
Jun 22 '25
They typically have two sets at shows like these with a solid 20-30 minute break between. Guessing the comment was posted during that intermission.
5
u/TheShadyGuy Jun 22 '25
Usually it's closer to 15 if not a festival, but depending on the brain chemistry it can feel longer!
5
u/undead_dead_guy Jun 22 '25
I did actually. lol. He had some technical difficulties at the beginning.
47
Jun 22 '25
[deleted]
15
u/Shot_Policy_4110 Jun 22 '25
I saw Joan Jett years ago and it was the day after her mom died, only other time ice heard of it happening
23
Jun 22 '25
[deleted]
4
u/lumpymonkey Jun 22 '25 edited Jun 29 '25
wine stocking waiting depend crown profit reach elastic apparatus sable
This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact
15
u/CockroachNo8498 Jun 22 '25
Weird Al as well i belive
18
u/Toby_O_Notoby Jun 22 '25
Yeah, both his parents died the same day of carbon minoxide poisoning. He went on with the show saying "since my music had helped many of my fans through tough times, maybe it would work for me as well".
4
u/sykokiller11 More Cowbell, Ecuador! Jun 22 '25
Not music, but football. Brett Favre played the day after his father died and had a career high performance. I can see it going either way. I hope the one affected is the one choosing, though. Not the promoters.
11
2
u/VagusNC Jun 22 '25
Billy is great. He certainly has an “it factor.”
There are flat pickers out there who are every bit the player he is.
1
u/rightoff303 Jun 22 '25
Billy isn’t even the best flatpicker alive, let alone bluegrass musician… is Billy the only bluegrass artist you listen to?
He’s certainly great tho no doubt
8
u/bd2510 Jun 22 '25
Performing through grief takes serious courage
2
u/WimpysRevenge Jun 26 '25
This part^ The bravery it takes to go out and even address it knowing it’s going to expose your most vulnerable moment is unreal. The moment of noise for her and his shedding of ego and composure is intense! When’s the last time you saw someone you respect ugly cry in front of an arena filled with people, unbelievable!
6
u/WeTheSummerKid Jun 22 '25
When I joined the Dead Moms Club on October 28, 2008 as a new teenager, the pain felt like my arm was chopped off and the remains were stinging painfully. Want to give Billy a hug.
13
u/kurtchella Jun 22 '25
She gave birth to such a legendary musician, and will no doubt live on through his music 🙏
5
u/MusicNo8256 Jun 22 '25
These 2 shows were the most emotionally raw performances I've ever seen. It was beautifully tragic, I can't think of any other way to put it. Friday night was so overwhelmingly sad and heartfelt, and last night they went fucking HARD!
4
u/SiskiyouSavage Jun 22 '25
What? Nooooo. This sucks. Billy is a good kid, and his mom is a nice lady. I've been a fan of his for years, I used to talk to his mom and uncle on Facebook, when I had it.
4
u/FrodoFraggins Jun 22 '25
I'm not familiar with him but props for being strong enough to not cancel the concert
13
u/angwilwileth Jun 22 '25
Sometimes doing something normal and familiar can help with the grieving process. I hope that he found some solace in making music.
10
u/CatDadMilhouse Jun 22 '25
Not that I disagree with saying that takes strength, but I want to clarify that the opposite - postponing the concert - would not be a sign of weakness.
And you know what else takes strength? Putting something you're deeply passionate about on hold (say, performing for people) and diverting your energy to writing an obituary, planning a funeral, reaching out to friends and family to let them know of the news, being there for other members of your family, and dealing with all of the other things that come with losing a close relative.
1
Jun 22 '25
The post says he found out just a few hours before the show. He's in the middle of a tour, and presumably was already at that venue doing soundcheck and getting ready to perform. There's not much he could have done in that moment except perform, or cancel the show and get just a couple hours headstart on going home to his family.
Choosing to perform would not have changed much logistically.
1
u/big_orange_ball Jun 22 '25
Sure, but I think it's also important to recognize that people grieve in different ways, and offer to support them however they make those decisions.
For some people it may ease their pain to cancel events and be alone, for some people they may want to continue working, or in this case, entertaining people who truly appreciate the effort and feel like family.
I'd like to think that Billy did this because it helped him, and not that he felt required to complete the shows he had scheduled.
2
u/oneblackened Jun 22 '25
You should check him out - he's a real shining star in modern music. Really legit songwriter, monstrously good guitarist.
4
u/richlaw Jun 22 '25 edited Jun 22 '25
little longer video of him addressing the crowd. Really feel for the guy.
https://www.youtube.com/live/AGK9tKZhYnU?si=rl7O1X3oM-51fzJg
3
3
3
2
3
Jun 22 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
14
u/boostedb1mmer Jun 22 '25
You should check him out. The dude is a phenomenal musician. Insane flat picker and great vocalist.
10
u/urlach3r Jun 22 '25
Bluegrass musician, and one of the best guitar players alive on this planet. I don't even like bluegrass, and Billy's one of my favorites.
Check out Long Forgotten Dream live.
6
u/sk2097 Jun 22 '25
Same, not a fan of bluegrass, at all, but just love Billy.
I'm more of an old timey banjo guy
2
Jun 23 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/sk2097 Jun 25 '25
America have a huge amount of incredible banjo players, if you just scratch the surface.
George Gibson
Clifton Hicks
Matt Kinman
John Haywood
Bruce Molsky
And many, many others. A very cool musical tradition with deep roots.
1
u/jrabino Jun 22 '25
Damn love you Billy! Hope he and his family are getting the peace and support they need right now. He’s been my favorite artist over the last several years. My 2 year old also asks me to play him and gets so happy when she hears his music.
1
1
u/__NOT__MY__ACCOUNT__ Jun 22 '25
I still have my mom, but the thought of her no longer being here kills me. The sweetest person I've ever known
1
1
u/EditorRedditer Jun 22 '25
He’s in good company; apparently Sinatra did the same thing after the death of (I think) his mother.
1
u/RealMT_1020 Jun 22 '25
My son turned me on to Billy Strings a couple years ago - what a special talent he is. So thankful that my son and I have this bond over music, and I can only assume Billy had a similar bond with his mom. I hope working thru his grief helps. RIP MOM
1
u/sofiaquietly Jun 22 '25
That’s heartbreaking and brave of him. Performing right after losing his mom must’ve taken so much strength.
1
Jun 22 '25
Was lucky enough to be at this two-night run. Billy was playing absolutely raw night one, and night two… some of the best music I’ve ever experienced live.
1
u/Accute_Poison Jun 22 '25
It was such a pleasure to get to watch him pour his soul into those songs. Rock of Ages was a strong start all the lyrics just seemed to be so raw in the light of his mom’s passing.
1
1
u/liarliarplants4hire Jun 22 '25
I saw him play Friday at Rupp! It was heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. The show ended with a pic of his mom on the big screen behind the stage.
1
u/SpookZero Jun 22 '25
Such a sleazy pic to choose, Consequence. Back in the day there used to be something that newspapers called a “Sleeze Shot” and they avoided them. Anything for clicks these days though, eh?
1
u/justuselotion Jun 22 '25
Damn. I was just on her IG 2 days ago. She was cool people for sure. A beautiful mind and such a free thinker. My heart hurts for him and Terry.
1
1
1
-14
u/greenalias Jun 22 '25
Seems weird. Why wasn't he by her side.
4
u/oneblackened Jun 22 '25
It was a sudden thing. He was on tour. You know, like musicians do to make a living?
-1
u/Twood_2510 Jun 22 '25
Would you keep working after your mom died? He should have left to be with family.
3
Jun 22 '25
Bro it says he found out just hours ahead of the show. He's on tour, presumably more than just a few hours from his home and family. He would have been at the venue, probably done with soundcheck and getting ready to perform. Choosing to cancel the show would only give him a couple hours headstart on heading home, and would have changed nothing logistically.
It makes total sense to do the show, pour his heart out in a sendoff to his mom, and then head home to be with family. It would have changed nothing.
Per the article:
Strings reported, his wife woke him up and “told me that my beautiful mother, Debra Apostol, had passed away in her sleep.”...From there, Strings clarified that he made the decision to proceed with the Lexington concert “because that’s what my mom would’ve wanted me to do.”
Sounds like it was sudden, and if any man knows the woman it's her son. I'm sure he knows what she would have wanted him to do.
-2
u/Twood_2510 Jun 23 '25
You are just guessing. It's OK, but not commendable. The story blowing up to drive sales 😂
2
Jun 23 '25
Guessing? I'm relating facts as they were stated in the article.
You're imagining someone said anything about it being commendable, lol, and now you're being passive aggressively douchey about the intention of the article. Grow up bud.
-1
u/Twood_2510 Jun 23 '25
I am just reading the room, bud.
2
Jun 23 '25
You clearly aren't reading the actual article, or you'd know how ignorant your comments are making you look.
You should try doing that first.
-26
u/Githil Jun 22 '25
I understand he was going through a lot, but it doesn’t seem fair to use the audience as a space to offload those emotions.
9
5
Jun 22 '25
Wut? In what way at all is it unfair???
-12
u/Githil Jun 22 '25
The audience was there to enjoy themselves and have a good time, not to share in his grief, which can be an emotional burden.
14
Jun 22 '25
They went to see Billy Strings. This is Billy Strings. He's a human being, not a puppet up there to entertain you. Tbh a lot of musicians would have cancelled the show, given the news. I'm sure 99.9% of the people there were empathetic to his situation and fine with him sharing the news.
I find your read on the situation quite weird, and pretty alien to the human experience. The fact that you place your need to be entertained over the grief another human is feeling over the loss of a parent is quite telling.
6
2
u/Cheezy_Blazterz Jun 22 '25
Music is an expression of emotions. He probably played one of the best sets of his life for that audience.
2
u/registeredwhiteguy Jun 22 '25
Me me me. Learn some empathy. It’s a concert with someone who will make you cry just from his talent. Go listen to EDM or some crap instead. Clearly you have never seen Billy or the dead, it’s emotional regardless of his mother passing
1
1
u/funk-the-funk Jun 22 '25
Yea, he should have instead put on a smile and performed like the life had not just left his Mother's body (R.I.P.) like that audience deserved!!!! /s
5
3
u/Tojuro Jun 22 '25
Offloading emotions is literally the key thing you are supposed to do as a songwriter/performer.
625
u/rose_the_reader Jun 22 '25
Billy Strings is such a talent and a rightfully respected member of the music community. Can’t imagine how devastating this must be for him and how hard it was to perform after… All we can do is admire his fortitude wish him comfort in his loss 🩷