Billy Strings celebrates the holidays with '12 Days of Bluegrass'

Like most musicians in 2020, COVID-19 precautions "pulled the rug out from under" flatpickin' bluegrass breakout Billy Strings. 

Strings, a 28-year-old road dog, usually plays upwards of 200 gigs a year — high-flying shows that meld his bluegrass upbringing with country music storytelling, phsycadellic jams and, at times, a heavy metal intensity.  

"We were cooking," Strings, real name William Apostol, told The Tennessean. "We were selling out shows. ... It felt really good for a moment there." 

But not this year, of course. 

Strings played some shows in 2020 — drive-in events, a one-of-a-kind Red Rocks Amphitheater appearance and a livestream "tour" from five Nashville venues struggling under the weight of COVID-19.

He otherwise spent time at home, which is where Strings celebrates the holidays this year. Earlier this month, the Nashville musician launched a "home for the holidays" version of his annual "String The Halls" fundraiser concert, releasing a bluegrass cover daily on YouTube for 12 days. 

Aptly named "The 12 Days of Bluegrass," videos debut through Dec. 25 at 10 a.m. CST. Proceeds from limited edition posters celebrating "12 Days" plan to benefit Musically Fed, Nashville Rescue Mission and Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee.

"It's been weird trying to figure out other ways to make money," Strings said. "But we're lucky enough to where we have such awesome fans not only can we feed ourselves but we have some to give back to the community still this year, even though this year's very different for us." 

'String The Halls'

For "12 Day," Strings and his band covered a dozen bluegrass staples from Ricky Skaggs, Bill Monroe, The Stanley Brothers and more. After the last video posts on Christmas, fans can purchase the songs via live music archive platform nugs.net. 

Prior to "12 Days," Strings had raised roughly $100,000 for local charity through livestream and socially distanced concerts this year, according to a news release. 

"It's just an important thing to do," the Michigan-raised musician said. "There's a lot of folks that need help. If I ever have more than enough, I feel like sometimes it's nice to help out." 

Grammy Awards

The holiday fundraiser comes following Strings earning his first career Grammy nomination, for 2019 full-length "Home." The Best Bluegrass Album nominee competes at the 63rd Grammy Awards in late January 2021. 

Strings released "Home" last September, a Rounder Records debut that solidified his incomparable take on bluegrass — threading genre tradition with eight-minute kaleidoscopic jams and a folk-meets-punk ethos. 

"Home" was the best selling bluegrass album of the year, per Billboard. 

Strings picked up the phone after hearing he earned a nomination. 

"I called my mom and dad, like I usually do when anything like that happens," Strings said. "My dad taught me how to play." 

He grew up around music, but never thought his passion could amount to a Grammy-nominated moment. 

"I've never been good at anything else," he said. "I don't have any other skills. I was terrible at school. I failed miserably. I kinda figured I was gonna amount to nothing. But music has been a best friend to me the whole time. ... If I didn't have music I don't know what the hell else I'd be doing." 

What's next? 

Being sidelined from touring gifted Strings something he's lacked in years otherwise jammed with shows: Time to write. 

When not fishing, he's often working on new tunes. He plans to cut a new record at Sound Emporium Studios in Nashville. 

"I sort of needed a little breather," he said. "I'm totally rejuvenated and I've been working on a bunch of new music." 

Strings continued, "We're trying to find ways we can till give music to people. When I was on tour I was always worried about when the hell am I going to find time to write? Now I've got all this time on my hands." 

Still, the road waits to greet Strings when touring is safe again. 

"We're gonna hit the ground running as soon as we're able," Strings said. "That's what we do. We're a live music band."