“Highway Prayers” is the new album from bluegrass singer and guitarist Billy Strings released on September 27, 2024.
It’s Strings’ fourth album overall and his first studio album for Reprise Records following a live album released earlier this year. It’s also the follow-up to 2021’s “Renewal” and 2022’s “Me/And/Dad,” a collection of traditional bluegrass and country tracks made with Strings’ father, the singer/guitarist Terry Barber.
“Highway Prayers” was co-produced by Los Angeles industry veteran Jon Brion, who has previously worked with artists including Fiona Apple and Jellyfish. It totals 74 minutes over 20 tracks.
Over the course of the album, Strings and his band touch stylistically on psychedelia and Americana in addition to a few comedic novelties. The material is all bound, however, by an adherence to string-band instrumentation and virtuoso-level musicianship.
Although Strings has lived in Nashville for nearly a decade according to AllMusic, the songs make frequent references to his home state of Michigan. These references occur through both lyrics, and instrumental odes to Upper Peninsula locales.
All in all, “Highway Prayers” would seem to provide bluegrass, jam band, folk rock and country music fans as well as guitar enthusiasts with a thoughtful and relatable set of songs. Supported throughout by Strings’ exceptional guitar skills.
The album’s tendency to delve into social and political issues might also resonate with many fans. As might its channeling of the excitement and energy of Strings’ live performances.
As during Strings’ live shows, the album’s instrumentals tend to showcase the technical prowess and musical innovation of his band. As well as their signature blend of traditional bluegrass with more modern rock and folk influences.
On “Highway Prayers,” this band includes Strings’ longtime personnel of Billy Failing on banjo, Royal Masat on bass, Jarrod Walker on mandolin and Alex Hargraves on fiddle. As well as numerous other contributors.
Strings was born William Apostol in 1992 in Lansing, Michigan. He relocated with his mother to Morehead, Kentucky following the death of his biological father when Strings was two, and his mother’s remarriage to Barber. Both Barber and Strings’ uncle were accomplished musicians, and the youngster was surrounded by acoustic music practically from birth.
At the age of four, Strings asked for a guitar, and he was soon learning to play on a second-hand instrument that cost $25. By age six he was good enough to join Barber at bluegrass picking parties, and his aunt gave him the nickname Billy Strings.
By middle school Strings picked up electric guitar and was playing in a heavy metal band. But by the time he completed high school he had returned to playing bluegrass. After graduation he moved to Traverse City in Northern Michigan. And found a mentor and picking partner in the mandolist Don Julin.
Strings and Julin recorded a duo album titled “Rock of Ages,” and Strings also recorded a home-brewed solo album in 2014 called “Fiddle Tune X.”
In 2016, Strings left Traverse City for Nashville. He released the album “Turmoil & Tinfoil” in 2017. It was produced by Glenn Brown, who had previously worked with the string band Greensky Bluegrass and singer-songwriter Luke Winslow-King.
Strings subsequently landed a deal with roots music specialists Rounder Records and released the album “Home” in 2019.
Charlie Curnow 