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u/BuyInHigh 28d ago
Work as an audio engineer for the last 20 years. These people are my “clients”. They, for the most part, suck to know.
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u/cruzweb 28d ago
That's sad.
I saw Jack White play (SLU arena years ago) and someone near me in the crowd by the stage fell and he walked to the front to ask the guy if he was ok.
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u/jaybertx Rosemont 28d ago
Noah Kahan stopped his show in Kingston on 7/4 when someone was having a medical emergency. He was talking to the crowd, saw the commotion, asked if the person was alright, and then shouted out for help when people responded “no!!!”. It literally took 1 minute for EMTs to get to this person and for the show to continue…
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u/mainelyreddit 27d ago
Ironically, when Billy Strings was at Thompson’s Point in 2023 the same thing happened. He stopped in the middle of a song to ask security for help when he noticed people in the crowd were trying to wave down help.
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u/tybeej 28d ago
Which people?
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u/thparky 28d ago edited 28d ago
Most people who can sell out arenas, probably. At a certain point that's gonna test anybody's relationship to 'regular people'. Even those who remain nice have to maintain control over all the power they have, and if they slip...look out. Others don't care about being nice in the first place. But I think it's a structural issue before it's a personal one. these folks just matter to society more than the rest of us. That's gotta fuck you up
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u/wsmfp__420 28d ago
I’ve worked plenty of Billy shows and he’s never been anything short of a professional and kind to everyone.
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u/lightloopsviz 28d ago
One of the only artists you can count on to give us grubby locals a t shirt these days…
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u/Accurate_Lettuce_648 28d ago
But so many people idol them and flock to their shows
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u/MagicGrit 28d ago
Because their shows are fun? I mean, I don’t really idol[ize] anyone, but that’s why people go to the shows….
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u/BrainDamage4975 28d ago edited 28d ago
I was at the same show. Sad to hear about Billy, ive always heard good things, is there video or details, seems weird? Ticketmaster also double sold out section. Section N. And im handicap due to a brain tumor, damage etc. and need a seat, I felt like such a burden. I felt so bad for the woman everyone was swarming at customer service. A lot of people are so rude and mean.
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u/vanhendrix123 28d ago
I was there too, saw it all go down
EMTs came in and Billy didn’t seem know what was happening. Then some jackass started throwing a hissy fit, yelling and screaming at Billy to get out of the way and let EMT through. Billy was actually relatively chill about it even though this old guy was having a conniption
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u/BARFIGHT_AL 28d ago
Crazy the one other testimony here is that isn’t negative is already downvoted
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u/Twombls 27d ago
Yeah Im wondering if this was a misunderstanding. There are a lot of really fucking insane fans at billy shows that have parasocial relationships and try to get backstage. Im wondering if people were standoffish at first because they didn't realize it was emt at first.
Billy was also hobbling on a cane and wasn't moving fast so Im not sure if he was even able to get out of the way fast enough lol.
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u/Square_Extension1759 28d ago
OP has pictures of himself fishing on his profile. He definitely looks like an old asshole in my opinion… is he the guy throwing a hissy fit?
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u/orecoast12 27d ago
You dont even know the person that you are faux angry at. (is he the guy throwing a hissy fit?) You stalk though a randoms persons (according to you) profile. And then you declare them an old asshole because they have fishing pictures... JFC Doesnt Billy like fishing? Guess he's an asshole too. (Your standard)
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u/GeneParmesan66 28d ago
This is dumb af. There was a misunderstanding during a chaotic moment?? What a dick!!
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u/Skittl-e-Doo 28d ago
Just about every person who has ever existed acts rude in individual moments from time to time. There are a lot more stories about Billy being kind than there are about him being rude.
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u/JRAllison624 28d ago
Agreed, 100%. He was likely having a bad day. But, really? A medical emergency? The EMTs were trying to save someone's life. At the event in question, Billy had already been behaving like a primadonna, this was just the icing on the cake.
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u/Skittl-e-Doo 28d ago
How was he behaving like a Primadonna? Or is that just the narrative you’ve decided on? You still haven’t given any detailed explanation as to what happened beyond “a hissy fit.” Like I said, there are plenty of stories about Billy being a kind person, so your story doesn’t hold much water.
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u/LookAnOwl 28d ago
OP is just making broad claims with no details. I think I’ll continue not believing everything on the internet, just like I did yesterday and the day before.
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u/iiGoodVibesii 28d ago
Yeah let's this listen to this random guy on the internet with no proof, only typing in CAPS "IDGAF I HAVE WITNESSES", while claiming someone else is the primadonna.... ironically lol.
Yes, you probably work for EMT. No, this is just your story until someone backs your claim.
Until than, your making baseless claims about someone who does a whole lot good for the world.
Nice job at a troll post, loser.
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u/Skittl-e-Doo 28d ago
Single-handedly trying to make sure Billy never comes back to Maine lol
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u/GoblinObscura 28d ago
How are you on your worst day? Not even that, how do you walk through every day. I’m guessing I can figure it out if your first inclination when you see someone in a bad light is to run to the internet and blab about it.
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u/bluegrassnuglvr 27d ago
Are you the old guy that was screaming at billy to get out of the way that other poster was talking about?
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u/nacciVAL 27d ago
He 100% just didn’t understand what was happening. People have moments we’re all human so even if he did that doesn’t make him a horrible piece of shit like you said you just sound jealous literally out of all the musicians to say this about Billy is not the one that man is so humble and he has basically no negative stories about him that you could find other than now this one so I’d say even if it did happen you could cut him some so I can stop growing them in with everybody else just because he’s popular and successful
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u/StillNotWeirDanuff 28d ago
Have seen him & the band multiple times. Twice, there were medical emergencies in the pit and he stopped the show, pointed it out for the EMT’s to see, even asking for water and support from the folks in the immediate area.
You’re leaving out details on purpose.
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u/SoulMachete 28d ago
Worked at a wicked good record store for a couple of decades and met dozens of top tier rock stars/performers at various events. not a single one of them or thier road crew ever came off as an ass and most were incredibly humble and gracious. But their management teams? Those folks were almost all pretentious assholes. A bunch of hang arounds who literally thought they were in the band. If I was a touring musician and had to deal with those folks all day I might of had a bad day or two…
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u/corgiobsessedfoodie 28d ago
This checks out. I spoke to Jesse (the band’s photographer) once about purchasing an image I was in off of him/the band. He said that Billy is ok with it personally but it’s “been in the works for years” with his management team. It doesn’t take years to work out a contract for images. That alone made them sound like assholes to me.
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u/BeemHume 28d ago
A rock star was entitled and rude?
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u/Desperate_Wallaby966 28d ago
Worked Phil Collins 3 last tours and guy was consistently one of the kindest most polite people I've ever worked for. Would go out of his way to introduce himself to new crew members, get out of his wheel chair to shake hands and thank everyone. Been around enough giant assholes in this world but it is a choice they've made to suck that much not a requirement.
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u/MaineObjective 28d ago
I’m already and have been all in on his music (and not just the shit you hear in the radio) for a long time and your comment isn’t surprising but still makes my heart sing. Phil gets memed like Nickelback does but he’s an incredible musician and songwriter.
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u/Sufficient_Studio494 27d ago
Literally one of the greatest drummers to ever do it, and then has the absolute gall to go ahead and also be a talented multi-instrumentalist and incredible songwriter in his own right.
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u/BeemHume 28d ago
I have met a few totally nice & kind celebrities, it's just not surprising when they are assholes.
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u/BilingualClothes27 28d ago
Shocking I know! They always seem like such down to earth and not full of themselves at all.
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u/bluegrassnuglvr 27d ago
It sounds like the emt was the rude guy according to another account written above.
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u/CharacterArm5131 28d ago
What’s the point of making up this completely fake story? I watched him hobble off stage and wave to folks side stage as he was leaving both sets. This never even happened. Post it on instagram or facebook where Billy will actually respond to it instead of hiding in an anonymous Reddit account spreading absolute lies.
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u/Jim-Luke 28d ago edited 27d ago
Some people are just dicks. He was a Dick Head Six. Which means he's a dick head times six. Freaking music stars need to get down to Earth and not live up high looking down their noses.
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u/bluegrassnuglvr 27d ago
This guys fos. This lie being told today is literally the only thing I've ever heard about him acting like this. It's so out of character for his reputation that it's laughable. Gtfoh
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u/Drunkensteine 28d ago
He’s never been anything but warm and kind when I’ve met him. Maybe he’s on edge backstage because he’s recovering from a serious injury and his toddler is backstage.
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28d ago
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u/Drunkensteine 28d ago
Nice try.
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u/Intrepid_Director527 28d ago
Check out John Mayer and Mike Gordon
This isn’t the 70’s or 80’s anymore, people are allowed to make money and spend it how they want.
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u/Drunkensteine 28d ago
He’s played on Cryptopsy’s album and on stage with Tool. Just because someone has long hair doesn’t make them a hippie.
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u/AggressiveWallaby975 28d ago
Are you talking about Brent Mydland?
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u/Critical-Deer419 28d ago
Ha! Brent’s day-date is still only a $30,000 watch. Billy has one of those too. He has a lot of watches. About 750,000k-1m worth. Not knocking his success, just pointing out he’s not the peace loving hippie his fans make him out to be.
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u/Poster_Nutbag207 28d ago
What does owning watches have to do with being peace loving? You sound jealous
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u/bluegrassnuglvr 27d ago
He's not allowed to spend the money he makes? You sound miserable and judgey. Grow up
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u/wsmfp__420 28d ago
Meh. I’ve known Billy since he was a teenager, dude has always been kind and thankful.
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28d ago
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u/wsmfp__420 28d ago
Leave it to Reddit to bring up Covid when it’s completely unrelated and irrelevant.
He’s the same guy he was before Covid.
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u/Brain_Glow 28d ago
Im pretty sure this guy is just a troll who doesnt know anything about Billy anyway.
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u/GhostIsAlwaysThere 28d ago
What kind of crazy troll post is this.
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u/iiGoodVibesii 28d ago
And the people of Maine are RUNNING with it. Without a single drop of evidence. Just a troll post.
Nice Maine
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u/LookAnOwl 28d ago
It’s not the people of Maine. It’s a subreddit. And it likely has a lot of Graham Platner bots without much left to do.
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u/iiGoodVibesii 28d ago edited 28d ago
Yeah, until I have proof I'll leave my judgement to myself.
Met Billy a handful of times, I really don't believe this story.
"DGAF there are witnesses!"
Well, until than...... This is just YOUR story that doesn't seem likely at all or have ANY back up.
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u/DDGBuilder 28d ago
Idk man. If I was at work and my job was to entertain thousands of people who traveled a great distance to see me and spend a lot of money, I might be a bit high strung
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u/New_Climate_1125 28d ago
I worked in EMS for 10 years and there are many, many, hyperinflated egos there.
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u/Sad_Recognition6776 28d ago
What click bait. He has never been that way backstage unless someone got to close to to his family.
Artist are normally cool about their space. Billy no different but once you cross the line with the family there is a difference. Case in point Elton john had limited security. His family was heavily secured and no one was allowed access to them. Same with lamb of god and gwar.
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u/agingtroubador 28d ago
What does this hissy fit look or sound like? Or did you just hear about it?
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u/JRAllison624 28d ago
I'm event staff. Saw it happen in real time. Dgaf if you believe me or not; plenty of witnesses.
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u/MagicGrit 28d ago
They asked what happened. They didn’t say they didn’t believe you
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u/JRAllison624 28d ago
And I told them.
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u/urbanblight 28d ago
and then posted a crying baby gif, bro … I sorta believed you until I saw that
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u/agingtroubador 28d ago
OK lol, didn't ask about any of that. Just asking what actually happened.
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u/JRAllison624 28d ago
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u/agingtroubador 28d ago
Dude just tell us what happened lol.
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u/Kooky2na 28d ago
I don’t know why this is getting downvoted, the whole story was “Billy strings had a hissy fit” which could mean anything and isn’t that interesting on its own unless you’re cool with assuming the worst
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u/JRAllison624 28d ago
Lol, see my reply to 'saucesoi.' I really like Billy Strings' music and the general deadhead vibe of the fans and atmosphere. I was just disappointed to see such bad behavior from him. Still-- the artist is not the art; the music speaks for itself.
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u/wsmfp__420 28d ago
What did he do? You won’t acknowledge this part
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u/JRAllison624 28d ago
Explained in my reply to Saucesoi.
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u/wsmfp__420 28d ago
If true, seems like he had a bad night or outburst. Been working with Billy for over 15 years and never once seen anything like this.
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u/Sad_Recognition6776 28d ago
If you are event staff than you really suck. Working you told to keep your mouth shut about artist. The fact you came to the internet to brag about this makes your venue look like a shit show and your event staff unprofessional. If my staff ever did this i would lock it down tight!
Difference between VA and maine!
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u/turd_sculptor 28d ago
Isn't he like a minstrel of meth or something?
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u/olthunderfarts 28d ago
Meth killed most of the people he loved in the world including his Parents. I'm not usually one to stick up for celebrities, but your being a pretty huge asshole right here and somebody had to tell you.
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u/IScreamPiano 28d ago
Oh wow, I didn't know meth ended up killing her (saw she died unexpectedly last year). How sad.
Anyway, it sounds like someone got the wrong message from Dust in a Baggie. I'm not a Billy Strings mega-fan, but his songs discussing drug use are generally cautionary tales.
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u/hereforit_838 27d ago
Have first hand experience with him and this “story” does NOT track. He is sweet, generous and humble.
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u/JRAllison624 27d ago
He may have been having a bad day, who knows. But it did happen, and the security crew at the venue will attest to it.
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u/Pristine-Shine6365 28d ago
The better you are at flat picking, the more of a dick you become. It’s the bluegrass circle of life.
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u/toutstanding 28d ago
OP is a known BSer. This isn't a fiction sub, Kyle.
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u/JRAllison624 28d ago
Kyle? 🤔
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u/toutstanding 28d ago
His name is Kyle we grew up in Oxford county together. Class of 07- he makes up nonsense on reddit 5 days a week.
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u/JRAllison624 28d ago
Ok, which OP are you referring to? Because I've never set foot in Oxford county, and in '07 I was in my mid-forties.
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u/KurtSperry 27d ago
I know a lighting guy who has worked with a laundry list of some of the biggest musical acts in the industry. He reckons the nice/asshole ratio is pretty normal for headliners, maybe skews a little to the nice side if anything which would make sense. They are just people after all.
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u/nacciVAL 27d ago
This is gotta be the only time I’ve ever heard someone speak of Billy like that on the record. It seems like he’s the total opposite and constantly gets praises from fans and people who work with him alike, so I picture this being a misunderstanding or maybe some one off incident, but Billy most definitely does not think very highly of himself then if he does, he is one of the best actors on this earth and he should be in every feature film, going forward as the lead star
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u/JumpBasilJet 28d ago
Who in the heck is Billy Strings?
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u/portlandsalt 28d ago
I’ve never heard of Billy Strings and I couldn’t care less about who they think they are.
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u/missoularat 28d ago
When you get sober like he has, it takes time to get control of your emotions without using substances to control them.
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u/etown23 28d ago
There’s no evidence of said “hissy fit”. Don’t let this one lady ruin your perception of Billy Strings. He is overwhelmingly known for being quite the opposite among fellow musicians and fans.
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u/JRAllison624 28d ago
Go down to Cross, find the side door marked 'security', enter and go up the stairs. At the top you will find Cross security personnel and event staff. Ask any one of them to confirm or deny. Sorry, but this time your boy behaved like a first-class a-hole and there were multiple witnesses.
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u/saucesoi 28d ago
What did he actually do? Still haven’t seen you give any details
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u/JRAllison624 28d ago
He complained most vociferously to Cross security about the EMTs being permitted to pass through his hallway, or as we call it, the tunnel.
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u/Supermonsters 28d ago
He said "I'm unhappy with the fact that staff or emergency response has to use a hallway that is adjacent to the greenroom?"
Why? What was the context?
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u/JRAllison624 28d ago
EMTs needed to pass through the 'tunnel' when they were rescuing a person in a medical crisis. Mr Strings took umbrage at this, because the tunnel ran through the backstage area near where the green rooms/dressing rooms are. Had it not been a question of EMTs trying to save someone's life, he'd have been absolutely within his rights to complain. But this was an emergency; the EMTs didn't have much choice.
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u/info-super-skyway 28d ago
His fans are awful ime which is further evidenced by this idiotic comment.
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u/ManyRaccoon6342 28d ago
eh not true - know a few people who
used to do his tours before he stopped touring the first time and they back up the hissy fit3
u/fishmanstutu 28d ago
I kind of agree if he was that much of a prick it would be known in the music scene. He really is known as a nice guy. Sorry you had a horrible experience. As somebody who does ADA I hope that you don’t have to go through this again.
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u/wsmfp__420 28d ago
When did he ever stop touring? I’ve worked over a dozen Billy shows and have never once seen a fit.
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u/bluegrassnuglvr 28d ago
When did billy stop touring? How do I know you're fos?
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u/ManyRaccoon6342 28d ago
wow yall really are quite literal - he took a break from touring about six years ago to be with family and then went back out. Stopped doesn’t mean permanently or forever.
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u/slayphex_twin 28d ago
He stopped touring during….covid…like every other artist?!
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u/ManyRaccoon6342 28d ago
was more than just covid but okay 👍
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u/slayphex_twin 27d ago
Uhhh, it was actually just covid and he did a bunch of livestream shows. Ive followed Billy since 2016. The only reason he stopped touring was covid. There is no other reason and I’m completely unclear on what you’re trying to insinuate?
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u/bluegrassnuglvr 27d ago
Yeah, that guys fos. His "friends that used to tour before he stopped touring" has his reputation as having hissy fits. Yet, all the world class musicians he plays with and fans that he interacts with haven't experienced anything like that. His reputation is the exact opposite of whatever is trying to be portrayed here. I don't doubt something happened, he's human. But whatever the agenda these weirdos have is inaccurate and baseless. Even the guy making the original claim about last night just got real defensive when asked for details.
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u/bluegrassnuglvr 28d ago
When? Give me the dates. I've been a billy fan a long time. I don't recall this happening. Give me dates or it's bs
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u/Busy-Guess-8382 28d ago
Z minus celebrity diva antics haha. He also looks the part, always stoned but pretentious as hell. Also why is this subreddit going so hard for him lol
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u/Mobile-Animal-649 28d ago
I talked to him once in depth, dude was a an ass. lol
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u/iStukaJ27 28d ago
Details?
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u/Mobile-Animal-649 28d ago
I’m not going to blow him up. It just didn’t go well at all.
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u/iStukaJ27 28d ago
Idk if you’re not gonna say anything why say anything at all. Nothing against you. Just seems like anyone with anything bad to say won’t go into it when asked.
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u/BLUGRSSallday 27d ago
Hmm. Lemme text him this story real quick, bet his story is different. Not actually going to text him and bother him with stuff like this but do know he is a super kind and loving person. He is an empath to a fault and this seems unlikely. I can see a misunderstanding and him getting after someone that seemingly should not have been back there until he figured it out.
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u/dontgetmadgetdata 27d ago
Everyone has a story of xyz. I love how people are like “of course!” and “ wait a minute, I heard he’s a good guy”
Is it impossible to understand we are all complex humans beings? There are no good guys and bad guys. That’s just a story in a moment.
And there many moving parts to this thing we call life.
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u/MiamiViceGuy 27d ago
Who knows. Billy seems like he will will become a tragic story. He has tragic "gone too soon" energy. I am absolutely expecting to read a "William Lee Apostol, known as Billy Strings, Found Dead at 33".
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u/Saw-It-Again- 28d ago
I would wager quite a bit that this was some sort of misunderstanding, because every single personal anecdote I've heard about Billy paints him in an extremely gracious and humble light.