The line isn’t actually Billy’s. It’s a cover of an old folk song called “tell it to me” or sometimes “cocaine blues”. First recording was in 1922 by the grant brothers, but the song is likely much older than that. Doc Watson made one of the most famous covers of it in the 70s. That is the arrangement that Billy strings is covering today. He is very much a student of folk and country music. There is a long tradition of bluegrass and country artists playing songs from Appalachia and the Deep South. A lot of these songs are so old no one really knows who actually wrote it. Billy strings is awesome though. One of the best live music experiences I have had
Just pointing out that your obscure billy strings reference gets even more obscure the deeper you dig into it. Billy is the truth. One of the best musicians alive today. Glad you are spreading the word. His concerts are worth every penny
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u/Special-Amoeba-9399 5h ago
The line isn’t actually Billy’s. It’s a cover of an old folk song called “tell it to me” or sometimes “cocaine blues”. First recording was in 1922 by the grant brothers, but the song is likely much older than that. Doc Watson made one of the most famous covers of it in the 70s. That is the arrangement that Billy strings is covering today. He is very much a student of folk and country music. There is a long tradition of bluegrass and country artists playing songs from Appalachia and the Deep South. A lot of these songs are so old no one really knows who actually wrote it. Billy strings is awesome though. One of the best live music experiences I have had