The world is crazy right now. Between the aftermath of the election, the impending holiday season and all the stress it entails, and the rapid degradation of our environment at the hands of an oligarchy that is slowly taking over the U.S. through political influence, things can feel a bit overwhelming. Thankfully, Billy Strings came to bless our feeds with a video of the first song he played for his newborn son, River.
In one of his frequent Instagram livestreams, recalled bringing his first child home from the hospital on October 2nd, one day before Billy’s own birthday. Sometime after midnight, Strings spent one of his first moments as a 32-year-old singing Jimmie Rodgers‘ “Sleep Baby Sleep” to his sleepy new baby. Listening to Billy’s gentle picking and low yodeling, it’s hard not to get a little dreary-eyed, no matter how old you are.
“And his little eyes starting fading and he fell asleep,” Strings remembered. “And it was the best fucking moment ever.”
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The peace of River’s first night at home came in contrast to his father’s tumultuous days leading up to his son’s birth. Days before River entered the world, Strings was across the country in Buena Vista, CO gearing up to kick off his curated Renewal festival. Hours before he was supposed to take the stage for his first of two nights, Billy’s wife Ally called to say that her water broke. Strings promptly got on a jet borrowed from Ringo Starr to return and witness the birth of his son, who arrived happy and healthy on September 29th.
Meanwhile, thousands of fans at Renewal saw performances by supporting acts Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Mountain Grass Unit, Jerry Douglas Band, Jon Stickley, and others, in addition to a set by Billy’s bandmates Billy Failing (banjo), Royal Masat (bass), Jarrod Walker (mandolin) and Alex Hargreaves (fiddle) with a cast of ringers replacing their fearless leader. Shortly after the festival, Strings issued full refunds for all who attended Renewal and rolled with the lineup change so he could be with his family for such an important moment.