On Friday night, five months after the surprise release of their Live at the Legion LP, acclaimed bluegrass pickers Billy Strings and Bryan Sutton rekindled their collaborative efforts for their first of two nights at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum‘s Woodward Theatre in Owensboro, KY alongside Strings’ touring bassist, Royal Masat, on electric bass guitar. The show marked the first in a limited run of seven Strings/Sutton/Masat trio tour dates.
The run’s opening night in the “Bluegrass Music Capital of the World” was nothing short of remarkable. With Strings at stage left, Sutton positioned at stage right, and Masat settled with his bass in the middle, the trio worked through a thoughtfully crafted setlist featuring a broad spectrum of songs made famous by late bluegrass legend Doc Watson.
The show began with Way Downtown”, a traditional tune notably recorded by Watson decades ago. Next up was The Carter Family’s “Little Darling, Pal of Mine” ahead of “Beaumont Rag”, another song released by Doc Watson which Billy recalled learning to play from his dad as a child. Later in the set, Billy got sentimental as he spoke about “Sleep, Baby, Sleep”, a song his dad sang to him as a child which he now sings to his young son.
Following that heartfelt tune, Sutton joked about the transition from babies to mothers-in-law as they stepped into another traditional cover released by Doc and Merle Watson, “Give Me Back My Fifteen Cents”. The first set concluded with two gospel covers dedicated to Strings’ aunt who was present that evening, “You Must Come In At the Door” and “We Shall All Be Reunited”.
Billy and Bryan returned from setbreak as a duo with Strings on clawhammer banjo and Sutton on guitar for “Frosty Morn” and “The Cuckoo”. After, Sutton noted how “these folks might just get mad at us if we don’t flat pick a little” as Billy grabbed his guitar once again for an energetic “Give The Fiddler A Dram > Whistling Rufus > Ragtime Annie” vignette during which the two stars took turns showcasing their masterful flatpicking technique.
Midway through the second set, things turned a bit bluesy during ad cover of “St. Louis Blues”. Strings and Sutton were clearly having fun as they exchanged smiles, glances, and unspoken communication. Strings later noted how much he “loves playing this stuff”. The trio then provided their interpretation of “Streamlined Cannonball” during which Sutton added an apt train sound from his guitar—an homage to one of Doc’s “coolest” tricks.
While the traditional nature of the material and setting had remained conducive to a more traditional and reserved (read: seated) atmosphere in the house for most of the show, the guitar crescendo of “The Train that Carried My Girl From Town”—a song well-known to Billy’s faithful and traditionalists alike—thrust much of the audience out of its seats and onto its feet, progressive grass newcomers and older devotees alike fully engaged in the performance.
Related: How To Stream Billy Strings’ Trio Run With Bryan Sutton & Royal Masat
As awestruck fans, filled with the sincerest gratitude, reluctantly left the theatre and gazed into the Owensboro sky, they could almost see Doc tip his wide-brimmed hat and offer an affirming grin and a nod of approval. These three masters of their crafts knew the assignment and delivered, honoring bluegrass roots with a truly magical performance in that hallowed hall.
The run will continue on Saturday night in Kentucky before heading to The Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC on September 11th and 12th. After that, Strings, Sutton, and Masat will return to Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on September 14th and 15th ahead of the tour closer on September 16th at Chattanooga’s The Signal, where Strings’ full band will perform the following night.
Fans can tune in to the entire trio run live and on demand with a nugs All Access subscription, offering high-quality audio and video of all seven shows. Sign up for a nugs.net All Access subscription here. [Editor’s note: Live For Live Music is a nugs affiliate. Ordering your subscription via the links on this page helps to support our work covering the world of live music. Thank you for reading!]
Below, check out a selection of photos and videos from opening night via Michelle Berson
Billy Strings & Bryan Sutton w/ Royal Masat – Livestream Preview – 9/5/25
Billy Strings & Bryan Sutton w/ Royal Masat – “If I Needed You” – 9/5/25
Billy Strings & Bryan Sutton w/ Royal Masat – “Miss the Mississippi and You” – 9/5/25
Setlist: Billy Strings & Bryan Sutton w/ Royal Masat | Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum | Owensboro, KY | 9/5/25
Set One: Way Downtown, Little Darling Pal of Mine, Beaumont Rag, Blue Railroad Train, What Does the Deep Sea Say, Watson Blues, Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette), If I Needed You, Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright, Sleep Baby Sleep, Give Me Back My Fifteen Cents, You Must Come in at the Door, We Shall Be Reunited
Set Two: Frosty Morn, The Cuckoo, Give the Fiddler a Dram/Whistling Rufus/Ragtime Medley, I’m Going Back to the Old Home, Miss the Mississippi and You, Talking to Casey, Poor Boy Blues, Cold Cold World, St. Louis Blues, The Streamlined Cannon Ball, Cannonball Blues, South Coast, The House Carpenter, The Train That Carried My Girl From Town > Black Mountain Rag
Encore: All About You, New River Train
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