While many were exchanging Valentine’s Day cards and candies with their sweethearts, Billy Strings was at an Austin cemetery visiting Blaze Foley.
In an Instagram Live video shot at the final resting place of the folksinger-songwriter born Michael David Fuller, Strings strummed his acoustic guitar in celebration of an artist not properly appreciated in his time. Running through Blaze classics like “Cold Cold World” and “Should Have Been Home”, Billy let his reverence shine through his loving performances. He also played the classic “Let Me Ride in Your Big Cadillac” along with the hidden gem “I Wanna Go Home With An Armadillo” and “New Wave Blues”.
Sitting cross-legged before Blaze’s headstone, Strings remarked at the various beer cans, cigarette butts, and guitar picks that fans had offered the resting soul. In particular, a pair of duct tape roses stood out to Billy—an homage to Blaze’s favorite fashion accessory. “He’s laying right there in a duct tape coffin,” Strings said of Foley’s corporeal tomb.
The visit came less than two weeks after the 34th anniversary of Foley’s killing. On February 1st, 1989, Foley was visiting his friend Concho January when the man’s son, Carey January, got into an altercation with Blaze. The musician reportedly confronted Carey about his theft of his father’s veteran pension and welfare checks, after which Carey shot and killed Foley. Carey was acquitted of first-degree murder by reason of self-defense even though his own father testified against him.
The trip to Austin came during a rare break in Billy Strings’ touring schedule, and he seems to be making the most of his visit. Prior to the Blaze Foley tribute, Strings dropped in on The Bluegrass Outfit‘s Monday night pickin’ party at Radio Coffee & Beer for a quick jam. On Wednesday morning, the bluegrass guitarist posted a picture of a card game with Texas legend Willie Nelson. “I lost a G but I won a good story. Thanks for kicking my ass Willie,” Strings wrote on Instagram.
Check out Billy Strings’ tribute to Blaze Foley as well as a clip from his surprise sit-in with The Bluegrass Outfit and a photo of his losing card game with Willie Nelson. Billy returns to the road tomorrow, February 16th to kick off a three-night run in Atlantic City, NJ. For tickets and a full list of tour dates, visit his website.
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