Billy Strings on Sunday supplied an replace on his rising household after lacking his scheduled performances at his Renewal competition to be with his spouse, Ally Apostol, who went into labor with the couple’s baby boy shortly earlier than Friday’s present as because of start.
“Hey yall!! Quick update..” he wrote on social media on Sunday afternoon. “I arrived in Buena vista Thursday evening able to rock out at renewal with my band and all my associates .. however figuring out at the back of my thoughts that there’s an opportunity I might need to get again to Michigan at a moments discover if my spouse went into labor.. we had been actually hoping that baby boy would wait until Sunday morning not less than however he had plans of his personal.
“Friday morning I got to the festival site and did a soundcheck and a quick Q&A set about the album..” he continued. “I was hanging out backstage getting ready to rehearse for our set when my wife called and told me her water broke. I immediately hopped on a jet (thank you ringo star [sic] for lending me your ride) and headed back.” [Side note: Wait, that Ringo Starr?? Talk about getting by/high with a little help from your friends…]
Related: Billy Strings Announces 2025 Winter Tour As New Album ‘Highway Prayers’ Hits The Streets [Watch/Listen]
While Billy Strings needed to depart his personal occasion, his band and the various different gifted musicians on hand at Renewal in Buena Vista made positive that the gathered viewers nonetheless received a memorable weekend of music. On Friday, Billy’s band—comprised of Billy Failing (banjo), Royal Masat (bass), Jarrod Walker (mandolin) and Alex Hargreaves (fiddle)—dealt with the scheduled headlining set with out Strings, sharing vocals duties and welcomed a string of particular company together with cellist Nat Smith (for the total, two-set efficiency), guitarist/vocalist Jon Stickley (for all of set two), guitarist/vocalist Larry Keel, and members of Mountain Grass Unit.
For the competition’s second and last day on Saturday, Renewal put out an adjusted schedule that includes adjusted performances by booked acts Mountain Grass Unit, Full Cord, Jerry Douglas Band, and Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway in addition to a “Clusterpick” set hosted by Billy Strings’ band, a Renewal Family Band set that includes “Molly Tuttle, Jerry Douglas, Jarrod Walker, Royal Masat, Alex Hargreaves, Billy Failing, & The Whole Dang Family” (see full setlist), and a dual-band Full Cord vs. Mountain Grass Unit set.
“I was mortified to leave the fans hanging,” Strings added on Sunday, “and to depart the accountability of the gig to my band and associates who stepped up and kicked ass in my absence. ( I owe you all a chilly beer!) however I used to be so excited to get again to my spouse as a result of she wanted me…
“I got to Michigan Friday night around midnight and we have been in labor ever since..” Billy went on. “We labored all day yesterday and we’re still in the race. Ally is doing amazing! she is so strong. I’ve never witnessed anything like it. There is an unbelievable amount of strength and courage in that woman. We are still here and she is doing great work. Baby and mother are both healthy. We are hoping to meet our boy today! I’ll let you all know when he’s here. But for now please just keep sending Ally all of your thoughts of love and strength. … I cannot wait to meet him ❤️.”
He added, “Regarding renewal. I WILL discover a method to make it as much as you.. simply give me a sec to be with my household. I’ll work out a method to make it as much as you I promise! … And for these questioning .. so long as all goes effectively right here within the subsequent day or 2, pine knob is unquestionably a GO!!
“Thank you for your patience and understanding during this amazing time .. and always for your love and support. You all mean the world to me. Thank you 🙏 ,” he concluded.
Read the total replace from Billy Strings beneath and keep tuned for extra protection on the motion at Renewal.
