Merle Watson

They also toured together in a trio format, twin guitars and bass provided by Billy's regular bass player, Royal Massat.

The equivalent band that both musicians revere and that was being referenced in that tour was Doc Watson with his son, Merle Watson, and bass player T. Michael Coleman, and that is good context for our final segment.

Wow.

He is such a thing.

Like, but then listen to this Tuff collection.

Man, there's some Doc Watson and Merle Watson playing live, and man, they're just getting after it.

It's good stuff.

Like I said, some Joan Baez or, or whatever.

I'm David Bianculli.

Today, singer-songwriter and guitarist Billy Strings.

He's one of the younger generation of musicians carrying the torch for traditional acoustic bluegrass, even as his music incorporates exploratory improvisational jams and the occasional heavy metal guitar riff.

He's been celebrated by both audiences and the music industry.

Thank you for playing that.

No problem, man.

Singer, songwriter, and guitarist Billy Strings speaking with Fresh Air's Sam Briger last year.

Strings has a new album, So Much for Goodbyes, inspired by the death of his mother last year.