I don’t have anything against newgrass artists; they can do what they want with their music. But I do wish some of them would pick a side, and quit melding modernist electric stuff with banjos and then calling it “bluegrass”.
Jake Strings
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I find some of his music a little odd, especially when he goes off an a 10 minute solo, but I find myself still watching his music on YouTube when it comes out. He has a lot of talent for sure!
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That’s the point I was originally making. I don’t know if he’s trying to redefine anything or any of that, I’ve never been a fan of someone whose stuff I simultaneously loved and really didn’t care for at the same time. I watch some of his videos so much that if they were taped they’d be worn out. But than there’s the other stuff that is just so bizarre. His talent is undeniable, and I love that he has gotten himself to a place where he can evolve and play the music he wants to. He’s just different in that way from most artist. Not saying it’s good, bad, or otherwise. Just very interesting.
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Well, Billy is actually a Gold Pick member and he’ll be reading all of this soon.
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Are you serious??? That would be cool! 
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Somehow I just knew you were going to say that 
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Is Taylor Swift a Gold Pick Member too?
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Yes, and Shania when she’s not on tour.
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Shoot, I better go back and clarify my response… Thanks Billy Strings, for the fresh ideas and the attention you’re bringing to bluegrass music!
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Life isn’t all that long…be happy you were privileged to hear someone express themselves in their own way and move on…
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Hey Billy Strings, If you happen to read this, we would all LOVE if you would stick your face in here and post a comment 
Us mere mortals would love if you would give a comment.
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Sorry if it struck a nerve man it was just a thought I was having while watching one of his shows. Just interesting conversation that’s all.
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haha…Didn’t strike any nerves.
As you grow in understanding music your tastes may very well change over the years.
Some people enjoy what they easily understand. Some like to be surprised. Both groups like to be entertained…
continue on…
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@scott_wilson I do not believe you struck a nerve with anyone on this site, at least not on my end everyone has their own taste in music, I love all kinds of music except one which I stated in an earlier reply different taste is what makes the world go round and round what the heck would it be like if everyone thought the same or liked the same things it would be one boring place to be in my opinion LOL
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I like my music to taste like… Pecan Pie!!!
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See I rest my case I don’t like pecan pie way to sweet and I am sweet enough already LOL
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Shania?
Billy who?
…instant demotion to playing second fiddle in a junk man’s choir. You can thank Tom Waits for that line.
I’d certainly not mind hearing a “bump badda dum” by a Soprano after a G lick!
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I’ve been a big fan of Billy Strings for a number of years now. I appreciate that he has a firm foothold in the traditions of bluegrass while at the same time is not afraid to create something new. That should be the goal of any artist; to honor those that came before while building something all your own on the foundation they set. No one should be expected to tour in a traveling museum of traditional bluegrass in order to be authentic.
It’s funny. I think what people consider to be the rules of traditional bluegrass depend largely on when they started liking bluegrass and who they were listening to. Tony Rice wasn’t considered traditional bluegrass by purists at the time. The 0044 album is not a traditional bluegrass album. Bill Monroe wasn’t known for his Gordon Lightfoot and Fats Domino covers. And yet 0044 is now thought of as one of the greatest bluegrass albums of all time. Most of us on this site for guitar playing are probably here in no small part due to Tony. And yet, long improvised flatpicking solos were never part of Bill Monroe’s bluegrass. We all defend the version of bluegrass that we like best.
At the end of the day, it’s cool seeing all the young people at a Billy Strings show. I’m in my mid-40’s, but it gives me hope for the future of the music to see all these 20-somethings going crazy for banjos and alternate picking. They’ll be singing right along to a 70 year old Stanley Brothers song. They may not know that they are singing a Stanley Brothers song; but they are singing it just the same.
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Really, Tony is one of the more progressive artists I regularly listen to. Even some of Tony’s and Earl’s stuff I’m not a fan of… and I’m not saying that there are 100% hard and fast rules that define Bluegrass. Though, I am that weird guy who thinks there probably should be. And I do appreciate modern artists that build on the foundation while implementing their own style; bands like RSKT, DLQ, etc. are my favorites. But, in my opinion, there are certain artists who can go way too far with that to be still called “bluegrass”.
Oh, and I also enjoy listening to classical piano. Do I get some pardon for that? 
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