Highway Prayers

Billy Strings.

I picked out the album, Highway Prayers.

And it's a long album.

It's got 18 songs on

Yeah, no, that's okay.

Yeah, we sent...

I sent you guys this album called Highway Prayers.

And it's just like if I had to pick an album of Billy Strings one that I would want anybody to listen to, it would be this one.

His concerts fill huge arenas, and he's won three Grammys.

Highway Prayers, released in 2024, is the first bluegrass album in over 20 years to reach number one on Billboard's All Genre Top 100 Album Sales chart.

That album showcases the songwriting of Billy Strings and his terrific band.

He has a new album inspired by the death of his mother last year from an overdose.

Um, and man, they were sounding good, and they, they were doing this number here.

It's called the "Browns Ferry Blues." [upbeat bluegrass music] Hard luck Bob called on Elaine Mama given back his walking cane Lord, Lord, I got them Browns Ferry blues Well, he throwed it away and he went to town To see a little woman and now he's down Lord, Lord, I got them Browns Ferry blues Hard luck Bob, you're getting too tight If you don't quit drinking, you'll be high as a kite Lord, Lord, I got them Browns Ferry blues Drink a block and tackle kind He can walk a block and tackle a lion Lord, Lord, I got them Browns Ferry blues Well, I walked up to my girl's old man And I asked him for my true love's hand Lord, Lord, I got them Browns Ferry blues Said you la la little kaloof Instead of her hand I got his foot Lord, Lord, I got them Browns Ferry blues Hard luck Bob, gentlemen of Maine The world was corn, you couldn't buy grain Lord, Lord, I got them Browns Ferry blues Walk around and sink him in close The smell of his feet, right where he goes Lord, Lord, I got them Browns Ferry blues [guitar strumming]

So Billy, last year you came out with your album, Highway Prayers.

I wanted to play the second song from the album, "In the Clear." This song is in the long tradition of happy sounding, up-tempo bluegrass songs with really depressing [chuckles] lyrics.