Billy Strings got some help from Post Malone on a cover of “Cocaine Blues” on Wednesday in Santa Ana, CA. The show at The Observatory marked Billy’s first attempt at the song popularized by Johnny Cash, as well as his first time sharing the stage with the rapper born Austin Richard Post.
In the midst of his California run, which began with a pair of weekend shows in Santa Barbara, Billy and company headed down the coast past Los Angeles to Santa Ana. Midway through a cover-filled second set, which saw nods to Lawrence Hammond, Jimmie Skinner, and Eddie Payne‘s “Psycho”—not Post Malone’s 2018 single of the same name featuring Ty Dolla $ign—Strings welcomed the rapper to the stage. The two seemingly polar opposite musicians have a lot more in common than just tattoos and have sustained a long-term will-they, won’t-they relationship via social media, hinting toward a collaboration.
“I saw this guy lurking around backstage,” Strings told the crowd as Malone joined him. “And figured we gotta drag him up here to f*cking sing for you.”
“Billy Strings is the best to ever f*cking do it,” Malone retorted. “Thanks for having me out! We’re gonna do a Johnny Cash song.”
Check out fan-shot videos of Billy Strings and Post Malone performing “Cocaine Blues”, as well as a selection of other clips, courtesy of Todd Norris.
Billy Strings, Post Malone – “Cocaine Blues” (Billy Hughes) – 4/13/22
Billy Strings – “Cassidy” (Grateful Dead) – 4/13/22
Billy Strings – “Meet Me At The Creek” – 4/13/22
Billy Strings – “If Your Hair Is Too Long, There’s Sin In Your Heart” (Bobby Davidson) – 4/13/22
Setlist [via BillyBase]: Billy Strings | The Observatory | Santa Ana, CA | 4/13/22
Set One: Likes Of Me (Jerry Reed) > Pyramid Country > Ole Slewfoot (Traditional), Wargasm, Rank Stranger (Albert E. Brumley), Dust In A Baggie, Hellbender, Cassidy (Grateful Dead), Secrets, Show Me The Door, Ralph’s Banjo Special (The Stanley Brothers & The Clinch Mountain Boys), Meet Me At The Creek
Set Two: Away From The Mire, Long Forgotten Dream, John Deere Tractor (Lawrence Hammond), Doin’ My Time (Jimmie Skinner), Psycho (Eddie Payne), The Gold Rush (Bill Monroe), Cocaine Blues (Billy Hughes) [1], Fire Line > Running The Route, Love Like Me, Whisper My Name (Ebo Walker), Hide & Seek
Encore: If Your Hair Is Too Long, There’s Sin In Your Heart (Bobby Davidson) [2]
[1] FTP, w/ Post Malone (Austin Richard Post) on vocals
[2] Single mic
[H/T JamBase]