Billy Strings surprised fans on Wednesday when he live streamed his soundcheck from Brooklyn Bowl Nashville ahead of the launch of his Streaming Streams concert series. The bluegrass prodigy’s nine-show livestream concert series kicks off at Brooklyn Bowl Nashville on Thursday evening.

Over the next 10 days, Strings and company will perform at crowdless venues throughout Nashville. After a two-night stand at Brooklyn Bowl Nashville, he will head to the Station Inn (7/18—19), City Winery (7/22—23), and Exit/In (7/24—25), before closing out the run at 3rd & Lindsley (7/26).

Related: Billy Strings, Béla Fleck Collaborate On “Balderdash” At AmericanaFest 2019 [Watch]

After remarking how great it was to be back onstage in “this big, beautiful empty room,” Strings and his band kicked off the soundcheck with “This Heart of Mine”. Between songs, Strings could be heard singing to himself, “what should I do now?” lending credence to the fact that this soundcheck setlist was completely from the hip. The band eventually settled on the fiery instrumental, “Tipper”, after which mandolinist Jarrod Walker remarked, “I’m surprised you remember how to play that one”. As Billy responded with a smile, “I’m surprised I remember how to play.”

Following some more casual indecision from Strings, he led the group into Doc Watson‘s “The Train That Carried My Girl From Town” for some classic bluegrass pickin’. After a blast from the past with “Slow Train” from Strings’ 2016 self-titled, debut EP, banjo player Billy Failing took the reins to test Strings’ memory by leading the band into one last red-hot instrumental to remind fans what’s ahead on Thursday night.

Watch Billy Strings soundcheck at an empty Brooklyn Bowl Nashville on Wednesday night below and head here for more information on how you can watch the upcoming Streaming Strings Tour performances.

Billy Strings — Soundcheck — Brooklyn Bowl Nashville — 7/15/20

[Video: Billy Strings]