Billy Strings Plays Through "Dreadful Wind & Rain" On First Night At Red Rocks [Photos/Videos]

On Thursday, Billy Strings debuted his new Willie Nelson collaboration, “California Sober”, among a slew of stellar jams and heartfelt classics onstage on a cold and rain-soaked opening night at Morrison, Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

Fans’ devotion to Billy (guitar) and his band—Billy Failing (banjo), Royal Masat (bass), Jarrod Walker (mandolin), and Alex Hargreaves (fiddle)—was on full display as the amphitheater’s stands filled to capacity despite the inclement weather. These pancho-clad attendees weren’t about to let a bit of uncomfortable weather stop their fun, and Strings and company weren’t about to let them down.

Taking the stage in a fresh rain coat he would later admit to having just bought, Strings was clearly appreciative of the water-logged audience’s steadfast readiness to get down in the rain. From the first notes of the show-opening tribute to the recently departed Gordon Lightfoot (by way of his song “Cold On The Shoulder”) to the heartfelt thanks after the last fading echo of the encore, he and his band showed a tightness that was seemingly weatherproof.

Billy Strings – “Cold On The Shoulder” (Gordon Lightfoot) > On The Line

Quickly following his opener with a one-two combo of “On The Line” and the traditional “Train 45”, Strings’ deadly mix of speed, emotion, and devotion to his craft was clearly apparent. Whether on a situationally appropriate David Grisman/Jerry Garcia-penned Old & In The Way tune “Dreadful Wind and Rain”, his own originals like “In The Morning Light”, or the savory “Highway Hypnosis” > “Gone A Long Time” > “Highway Hypnosis” sandwich that followed, Strings and his band never let their momentum wane. Everything from the more explorative works of artists like Béla Fleck to traditional numbers like “Red Rocking Chair” (a clever wink at the evening’s venue) got the “Strings treatment” ofprecision playing, lightning-fast fills, and emotive thrills despite the windy chill in the air.

Billy Strings – “Dreadful Wind & Rain” (Grisman/Garcia) – 5/11/23

[Video: Tom Yaley]

As the band’s members fought mightily to keep their instruments in tune amidst the gusts and downpour, Billy leaned into the weather with “Cold, Cold World” (Blaze Foley) and “Thunder” (featuring lyrics by Robert Hunter) to bring set one to a close. Billy promised a shorter-than-usual setbreak as the group headed backstage to warm up. The fans, to their credit, remained steadfast in their spots despite the conditions.

True to his word, Billy Strings brought the band back out in short order for another stellar set in the Red Rocks rain. Strings’ willingness to share the spotlight has always been a hallmark of his shows, and the moments of focus he gave to each of his band members during set two underscored that lack of ego. Second set highlights flew by like so many raindrops from the sky, from reverently rendered songs by bluegrass pioneers like Ralph Stanley and Bill Monroe to his own new single, the catchy “California Sober”, which arrived last month as a collaboration with the great Willie Nelson. Each one was met with the lusty roar of a boisterous crowd, defiantly smiling through the rain.

For all accolades Billy Strings continues to gather thanks to his once-in-a-generation talent, it’s his willingness to put in the work honing his skills and studying his beloved art form and, above all else, his humility about the success he has achieved that has landed him where he is today. That effort and care will continue to draw in fans in droves, no matter what weather conditions they might face.

To order your nugs.net livestreams for Billy’s second night at Red Rocks on Friday, May 12th and his one-off gig at Denver’s Mission Ballroom on Saturday, May 13th, head here. For a complete list of upcoming Billy Strings tour dates, click here.

Scroll down to check out the setlist from the show as well as a selection of photos by Jesse Faatz.

Setlist: Billy Strings | Red Rocks Amphitheatre | Morrison, CO | 5/11/23

Set One: Cold On The Shoulder (Gordon Lightfoot) > On The Line, Train 45 (Traditional), Dreadful Wind & Rain (David Grisman, Jerry Garcia), In The Morning Light, Highway Hypnosis > Gone A Long Time > Highway Hypnosis, Tentacle Dragon (Revenge Of The) (Béla Fleck) > Red Rocking Chair (Traditional) > Everything’s The Same, Cold, Cold World (Blaze Foley) > Thunder (Robert Hunter/William Apostol) [1]

Set 2: Taking Water > Ice Bridges, Make Me A Pallet On Your Floor (Traditional), Hellbender, Ridin’ That Midnight Train (Ralph Stanley), Hide & Seek, It’s Raining Here This Morning (Grandpa Jones), The Fire On My Tongue > Ole Slew Foot (Johnny Horton), California Sober, Away From The Mire, Little Maggie

Encore: Uncle Pen (Bill Monroe)

[1] Featuring “Don’t Lie” (Greensky Bluegrass) tease.
[2] First time played.

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