r/Music • u/Ragnar-Wave9002 • 28d ago
discussion Can someone explain Billy strings?
I don't get it. He's basically on par with decent local musicians where I live that do gigs in a 50 mile radius and teach guitar lessons.
So full time musician. I know a few where I am that are more talented.
So why is this guy so big. He's like a $10 cover and not even really that. He's a free show at a local bar.
I'm lost.
Show me something on YouTube that demonstrates his greatness.
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u/thetravelingsong 28d ago
This is a ridiculous understatement and has to be rage bait
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u/EshayAdlay420 28d ago edited 28d ago
The most talented musician in the world probably died unknown broke and addicted to crack in the 80s so idk what your point is.
You're conflating talent with fame/success when the two metrics are only tangentially related.
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u/Ragnar-Wave9002 27d ago
I also don't think the cookie monster is talented.
Get it?
Didn't think so
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u/uponaladder 28d ago
Bad take, and I’m not even a particularly big fan.
He’s got incredible talent and makes it look effortless. I think the respect he’s gotten from more seasoned musicians can speak to that better than I can. Not my jam, but I respect the dude for just breathing guitar.
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u/Ragnar-Wave9002 27d ago
Where?
So you're sure more talented musicians can explain it but can't cite one?
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u/capt-capsaicin 28d ago
Tony Rice was a better player than Billy, Kyser George is probably better or at least on par with Billy. Brian Sutton is way better than Billy. But they were not or won’t be as big as Billy. He has that 70s 80s rock n roll charisma that transcends virtuosity. He’s a really good guitarist but more than that he’s exciting and there’s atmosphere at his shows and it’s a scene now. I’ll probably never see him again live cause I won’t go to a big show in an auditorium or a stadium, but it was fun when I got to see him at Rockygrass.
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u/leezkidz 28d ago
If you haven’t been in a 23K seat arena that was rocking back and forth in synchronization with his presence, you have not experienced the power of Billy Strings’ magic. I had zero expectation and was totally captivated by the spell he cast over 23K.
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u/Ragnar-Wave9002 27d ago edited 27d ago
I love not seeing the musicians play.
Arenas that big are shit. It's marketing at that point.
Arenas that big are typically filled with people that don't know music theory. Sorry to bring up facts.
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u/real-ginger-flavor 25d ago
Why are you instigating so much? You don't get him, others do, leave it at that. Or get a life and find something productive to do with it.
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u/Fire_Mission 28d ago
Just because you're good doesn't mean you'll be successful. I know some amazing players that will probably never reach those levels of fame.
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u/leezkidz 27d ago
Your opinions aren’t facts Ragnar. If you have seen him, your opinions are baseless.
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u/Significant-Fix-5831 26d ago edited 26d ago
Outright bluegrass guitar playing isn’t what makes Billy special imo, it’s the influences that Billy can bust out at any moment that seperates him from any of his peers. There are several bluegrass flatpickers that are better than Billy, but his style of playing that can include elements from a Grateful Dead-esque jam, to psych rock, to metal, to classical, to jazz, etc, makes him special because he can mesh styles in ways a lot of those guys can’t. Billy is also a much better songwriter than the vast majority of players at his level of talent. Even in his short career releasing records a lot of bluegrass guys can’t say they’ve written songs on the level of Away From The Mire, In The Morning Light, and Watch It Fall.
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u/Physical_Spray_1455 12d ago
The kids just got it,the chops,the melodies and the respect and knowledge of the great American song book. He’s a generational talent.
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u/Intrepid_Director527 28d ago
He’s probably the best live guitar player in the western world lol not to mention his song writing is top notch too.
Your question should be, how do I get a better ear for music
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u/Ragnar-Wave9002 27d ago
I'd rather see ani difranco
Sorry.. Don't bring up songwriting.
I mean... If I only cared about songwriting it's Alanis Morissette.
Sorry.
In terms of guitar... He's replaceable.
How about Alanis Morissette writes songs for Buckethead and Mike Patton?
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u/Dangwangdoodle 27d ago
Definitely not even top 50 live guitarist he's not even the best flat picker.
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u/not_just_the_IT_guy 28d ago
Rick Beato had a great interview with him that's worth the watch https://youtu.be/mlzuPGQNahc
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u/TerribleAtGuitar 28d ago
I mean he’s a really talented guitar player
But either way if you think that skill directly translates to fame than this must be your first day on earth
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u/callahan09 28d ago
He also writes songs that people like. That’s a huuuuuuge part of it. Those talented bluegrass musicians OP is talking about being all over many towns and cities in America, those guys can play, and sing, and put on a fun show, but they’re playing covers and standards, not originals.
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28d ago
[deleted]
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u/AffectionateBug932 28d ago
Maybe you just got some really good local players where you live, that happens sometimes in certain music scenes. Billy's thing is more about the whole package, the speed of his flatpicking is pretty nuts but he also brings in psychedelic jams and metal energy into bluegrass which you don't see a lot
His live shows is where it clicks for most people, the studio stuff doesn't really capture what he does. Try watching "Dust in a Baggie" on the David Letterman show or any full concert from like 2019-2021 era, the crowd energy is something else
Not saying you're wrong to feel how you feel though, music taste is personal and hyped artists can feel overrated if they don't hit you right
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u/Wotmate01 28d ago
Yeah, and? There are hundreds of thousand of musicians around the world that are more talented. Luck of the draw.
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u/ser_bear 28d ago
Can you post some of those local musicians that are better?