Billy in Buena Vista with Bonfire.
It’s a time of Renewal and not just fall and its panoply of colored leaves. Billy Strings’ annual festival has adopted the Renewal moniker and Bonfire Entertainment continues to renew the serene spot for the Billy tradition nestled in the Rocky Mountains.
The story always starts with Billy and often includes great friends made on his trip. In this case, Bonfire Entertainment, a company focused on producing sustainable events, with a vision that overlaps with many of Billy’s big-picture beliefs.
Part of this musical tradition is Billy’s celebration of budding bluegrass groups and often many sit-ins. The big man always enjoys making his rounds–and then some!–soaking in the good vibes and sharing in the fun throughout the weekend.
The musical collaborations date back to 2019–pre-Renewal–at the Campout for the Cause when Tyler Grant sat in with Billy for five songs and Billy busted out “Ain’t Gonna Work Tomorrow” for the first time in 541 shows.
While pre-Renewal, it was still Bonfire Entertainment and the kid-friendly and welcoming environment was featured then and continues to add more vendors and special features each year.
For most gigs, 2020 was a pause, yet in 2021 Billy returned to this favorite location and started his own festival on the heels of his third album release–Renewal. The first lineup boasted many guests, including friends Tyler Grant (who sat in two years prior), Lindsay Lou and Paul Hoffman among others. In 2022 Billy brought in the old and the new, treating fans to legendary artists, The Seldom Scene, as well as fresh acts like Cris Jacobs and Sarah Jarosz.
In 2023, Billy Strings seemed to be everywhere and many artists from the weekend also graced the stage during Billy’s sets. When looking at the lineup, his reasons come into focus–young, exciting acts such as Shadow Grass, East Nash Grass and seasoned road dogs Vince Herman and Della Mae.
Fans in 2024 can again look forward to a full eclectic lineup which Strings announced Aug. 28 on all his Social Media accounts. Friday, Sept. 27, will feature long-time friends Jon Stickley Trio and Larry Keel Experience. Billy has a long history of sharing bills and stages with both Stickley and Keel dating back to 2016 and earlier.
Saturday will see more close Billy friends, this time who have been featured on previous Billy Strings studio releases–legendary The Jerry Douglas Band and recent Grammy-Award winner, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway. Finally Billy again celebrates talent at all levels and brings in exciting friends Full Cord of Michigan and buzz-riding youngsters Mountain Grass Unit for sets on both Friday and Saturday.
For the fourth festival, just days away and sold out, an album will be released for the second time—Highway Prayers—Billy’s much-anticipated follow-up to 2021’s Renewal and 2022’s “Me / And / Dad.”
When looking for respite from the music or just a refresh, yoga sessions are again scheduled both days led on Friday at 11 a.m. with Steph Winsor and Saturday same time with Lisa Shanken (returning for her second Renewal).
Perhaps most-looked forward to and yet always a surprise is Billy’s “special set.” In 2021 the band played on a flatbed truck; in 2022 it was on the pond; last year in 2023, it was an inside look at sound check. What will it be in 2024?
Whether on site or on the couch, put on those leadfoots, rev those engines, shed those Stratosphere Blues, because despite Seven Weeks in County, I Believe in You and the community will gather once again for some Billy fun and some much-needed fall Renewal.
