Billy Strings sang what we are all thinking when he posted a cover of “Ready for the Times to Get Better” to his social media pages on Wednesday.
Originally written by Allen Reynolds and recorded by Crystal Gayle in 1976, the song was later popularized within the bluegrass community by Doc Watson and David Holt. Captioned simply: “Ready for the times to get better”, Billy Strings (born William Apostol) wasted no time with pleasantries and immediately starting doing what he does best, pickin’.
Related: Billy Strings Gives Guitar Lesson On Nick Forster’s “Teach Me One Thing” Series [Video]
Sitting on a couch with a tie-dye tapestry in the background, Strings let the song’s lyrics speak for itself. “I’ve got to telly you I’ve been rackin’ my brain / Hopin’ to find a way out / I’ve had enough of this continual rain / Changes are comin’, no doubt,” he sang, a feeling that anyone who is living through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic can identify with. His voice got a bit louder on the song’s chorus, letting the refrain, “And I’m ready for the times to get better,” resonate throughout his living room.
“Hang in there everybody, the times are gonna get better,” said Strings with a smile at the end of his video, offering a bit of hope to music fans who have been without live events since March. Watch the performance below.
Billy Strings – “Ready for the Times to Get Better”
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Billy Strings was set to embark on a tour in support of Jason Isbell this summer, however, the COVID-19 pandemic and ban on large gatherings forced its postponement. On Tuesday, Billy announced the Streaming Strings 2020 Tour, which will see him perform nine concerts filmed live in empty venues throughout Nashville, TN. Head to his website for more information regarding the Streaming Strings 2020 Tour.