Billy Strings - "John Henry" | Fretboard Journal

Never-before-seen footage of bluegrass star Billy Strings performing "John Henry" at the Fretboard Journal magazine.
Filmed in 2017 and featuring his sunburst Preston Thompson dreadnought with Brazilian rosewood back and sides.
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[@sagehinkleman4969]

Today I showed this video to my middle school class....but more importantly I introduced them to Billy Strings

[@Tizz_Eye]

A prophet, a disciple.

[@wesweldon8350]

Good man

[@ATG929]

Keep spreading the good music

[@YoungRellik-hr5rp]

Beautiful song, love all your music.

[@IllWillTheThrill]

The best part is when he starts playing

[@strings1586]

@Oakley Lewis You really make a 2nd account for your scam ass website? Pathetic, listen to some Billy strings and get inspired.

[@coryCuc]

@Oakley Lewis Oh yes. Oakley, you are amazing. IDIOT.

[@mstewart109]

I enjoy both singing and playing. The playing is amazing

[@imournhim]

The worst part is when he stops playing.

[@jubnut2]

The second best part is all the time he is playing.

[@adropofgoldensun27]

Folks you are watching a real live Living Legend, sit back and enjoy 🙂

[@tldhthompson]

11 people have not a clue what they're talking about. This was simply perfection.

[@leer670]

12 now DUMB ASS people its the world we live in now, GREAT song and COVER

[@claybird8494]

13 smh. They mustve hit the wrong button by accident

[@britainpetersen5563]

14, people need to lay off the tide pods

[@JN24185]

I’m assuming someone said something derogatory about this performance. I’m not going to even look. Even in Bluegrass haters gonna hate, but this was one of the finest guitar performances ever. And in this one instance in life I’ll emphatically say, if you don’t think so than you’re an idiot.

[@kennydixon1817]

One of the best for sure !!

[@dirtdog5584]

John Henry was born a steel drivin man and Billy Strings was born a guitar pickin man

[@gracebrothers8672]

Billy strings is technically a steel string driving man lol

[@Kenttx100]

No doubt a virutousos virtuoso

[@joshuahendrickson4854]

Billy is simply one of the best flat pickers around these days. His playing is so much like Doc Watson's its scary. Such a great song. If I ever met Billy, I'd love to hear him play this song on my martin d18.

[@coryCuc]

Yep! You can't not listen to Billy and see Doc reincarnated lol. His playing at Shady Grove (live) of Doc's songs is AAAAAMAZING! check it out if you haven't already. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJyXhIqjeceAhKs

[@Jay-lr3me]

Doc was great but Billys picking abilities are a new level imo. Don't kill me purists.

[@ericmatteson8888]

he hangs out and talks to fans at every show I have been to. really down to earth and loves talking about music!

[@paulevans6403]

Watson had a super-clean style but Billy is already a bit more a master of the instrument than Doc ever became..

[@itaysror6591]

His playing here is phenomenal! So crisp it's insane

[@cjsmith8319]

I mean......dude. Save some talent for us mortals?

[@mikekaatman3194]

And the voice is killer too!

[@mikekaatman3194]

And the voice is killer too!

[@cfcolly]

It's a joke. I practice 5 hours a day, and even if I do that for the rest of my life, I know deep down I'll never even be close

[@ronaldray8466]

Whew! Billy can pick those strings faster than I can think,

[@natecoyfishing]

I betcha ol Doc’s foot is tappin wherever he may be.

[@Hkopey]

Oh you know he's as proud as a kitten

[@hotbrasst2451]

As a steel driving man, I listen to this everyday.

[@Deran-yc8qx]

3:06 I do to everyday

[@crazygramma91]

Billy Strings...you are meant to be!!!

[@drewstevens2529]

I'm so upset this has been sat on for 3 years and yet so happy we finally got it lol

[@sethrickard3140]

Welcome to the sound of music.

[@sugarjanis3054]

Very very inspiring. Now let's go practicing. It makes you wanna play.

[@Magnum_Opus_Music]

*This is craftsmanship to the fullest*

[@josieeder1196]

DAMN!!!! My mouth was open the entire time. Phenomenal guitar, man!!!

[@Debunis]

Another Billy's video for you kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnjKc4B3lrRmoKc Is One of the best pickers on Planet 🔥

[@gordondeitz7838]

Great to hear a classic tune. Specially done by such a talented guitar picker. Thank you Bill

[@scott8879]

You sir are incredible.

[@johnpehanich832]

And the spirit of Woody lives on and on thanks to Billy

[@robertcastle-wh4op]

One of my favorite songs from growing up. Thank you for reconnecting that memory.

[@timothypeterson59]

Man there is so much goin on in this young mans head and he’s managing it like a guitar god. Bravo!!!!

[@derekcarstensen9134]

One of the cleanest I’ve heard in a long long time

[@buddydog1956]

outstanding!!!

[@pipeandyreviewsbakedcat4157]

By far one of my favorite guitar players of the decade.

[@skatetodeath666]

Just born with talent

[@ikkenhisatsu7170]

He never disappoints. Every time I think the younger generation don't get it...

[@movimikey]

I love Billy strings

[@mikaeleddy5836]

Amazing

[@tommoser6284]

Um. Yeah. Unreal does not even describe this. Amazing. Will have this song in my head for weeks.

[@dreaminslackkey]

wonderful

[@devinselby2336]

God bless Billy Stings!

[@diddyKite2010]

He's an absolute savage. Unreal x

[@jacstocker7257]

He's insanely good with that guitar

[@jeffcollins1172]

Wow!

[@sharonanderson8375]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@saltyassassin]

Billy's string action is so high.... a Weiner Dog could walk across that fretboard and never hit a string! Amazing!

[@SalandFindles]

😂 I don't know why, but I'm cracking up at your comment.

[@ruudwiggers1412]

How on earth did you come it with that annalogy?

[@kylewood4852]

I’m sorry but… WHAT!!! 🤣🤣 That’s the best analogy I’ve read in a while, is that you, Grandpa? God, I miss old timer analogies.

[@Hillsman001]

This is truly the purest form of music. He is todays Doc Watson.

[@stevebarr9619]

I saw he was gonna play this and thought !!! You got BIG Shoes to fill on this song. Kid did pretty darn good I'd say

[@codyeynon8467]

This song is more relevant than ever as AI and other technology begins to do the work once reserved for human beings.

[@graysonbyrd7538]

Man, just a killer play. Thank god

[@hamburgerdan101]

Billys stuff makes me patriotic for some reason

[@-Visions-]

tearing it up

[@davidroe64]

Covering John Henry played by Doc and Merle Watson in the 60's featuring Merle on Banjo. GREAT JOB.

[@tonyfrancesco3701]

This kid knows his instrument

[@stevemaddog459]

The latest in a long line of bluegrass guitar pickin' heroes.

[@gabrielbingham605]

Gotta love that thumbnail

[@Rydonattelo]

Henry Thomas 🕊

[@pattidale7968]

Unbelievable! Love this!

[@jeffreybabino8161]

Man great playing

[@grahamsauer1416]

Thought i had it playing at 1.5x speed at first lol....damn

[@100BIPBIPBIP]

This is when he was 'lil Strings'

[@jackdolah2031]

Love from indonesia billy❤️❤️❤️

[@ZekeTheAlien]

Love it

[@billsales3235]

good work!! keep ta rockin'

[@______3109]

I want to hear him sing Blue moon of Kentucky

[@westharris6784]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYK5iYJ4aqyFidk Billy Strings Blue Moon of Kentucky

[@earlyburg]

Excellent!

[@CreatedbyLC]

Please more videos with Billy strings

[@ajhalomaster]

Going to see Billy in Indianapolis this Saturday! 😄😄😄

[@angelovanoeveren7936]

Love it 💚

[@nelsonx5326]

Good stuff.

[@RocketKirchner]

Billy is the Stevie Ray Vaughan of bluegrass !

[@teknikle8710]

Agreed

[@Thomas-ti4gm]

Brilliant

[@moritzengel2735]

Wow I love your work!

[@jeffreybabino8161]

First learning about bluegrass music

[@rockereb]

Mighty fine picking!

[@Knight_Of_Eleum_Loyce]

I forgot to leave a comment on this back when I first discovered this cover but holy crap. It's so damn good. You really did a good job 👍. I actually like this so much that I downloaded it (just for personal listening).

[@windwalker8058]

This young fellow is string picking man whew!

[@docskate4312]

Apart from the playing - that guitar is beautiful.

[@mikechivy]

They’re like 10 grand. Preston Thompson

[@pamcm1098]

It's a shame the airline crushed it, but he got it fixed.

[@Sluggo01]

The Preston Thompson reminds me of my 1963 Gibson Hummingbird, similar in color, and sound

[@Scottchmorsco]

yep

[@-Visions-]

my fav is flatt scruggs and hylo

[@annihilator257]

Well when John Henry was a little baby boy No bigger than the palm of your hand Well John Henrys ma looked down at him and said John you gonna be a steel driving man lord, lord John you gonna be a steel driving man Now the man who invented that ol’ steam drill He thought it was mighty fine But John Henry drove it down fifteen feet While the steam drill only made it nine lord, lord steam drill only made it nine Well John Henrys captain he sat out on a rock Said boys this tunnels caving in Well John Henry smiled at his captain and said “boss that’s just my hammer suckin’ wind” “boss that’s just my hammer suckin’ wind” Well John Henry hammered in that ole mountain side Till his hammer caught on fire The last poor words that ole John Henry said “give me a cool drink of water for I die” lord, lord “give me a cool drink of water for I die” Well John Henry had a little woman Her name was Polly Anne well John he got sick lord, he had to go to bed Polly drove that steel like a man lord, lord Polly drove that steel like a man Well they took John Henry to the graveyard Put him six feet under the sand Now every time that ol train goes rolling by They say “yonder lies that steel drivin man” lord, lord They say “yonder lies that steel drivin man”

[@alexandregoes5416]

.

[@NH1969GOAT]

At 69 yo you reflect my life to a T..... thank you so much :---)

[@PSQUAD138]

That boy sho can play that geeetar!

[@ericbruce5075]

I was super excited for this premier. I missed it while driving TPosts into some hard Texas clay... 🤣

[@Upstreamprovider]

ACE!

[@m444ss]

every time I see him play: 😳

[@neilsimon6871]

Savage virtuosity.

[@zacharywho5442]

2:27 Billy started tappin' and I thought something was going down outside

[@claudesnelling2720]

This song and long John isn’t on iTunes

[@Larry-go8bg]

Billy said as a kid he was spoon fed Doc Watson and it shows when he plays even sneaking a bit of Black Mt Rag in there as well go Billy.👁👀

[@waggonerfamilyworship5501]

Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo !

[@georgejohnson9166]

Wow

[@DemgamingSkillz]

Good part starts at 0:00

[@jarrodmarsh9520]

Unbelievable ! Johnny Cash said

[@sharonanderson8375]

C❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@marktipper4948]

I cant listen less than twice lol

[@joshferguson9703]

I am gonna get a lot of hate for this but when billy plays with his band I am not a fan of his style of bluegrass but when he plays alone man he really is something to behold

[@pamcm1098]

I love his live shows, but several of these solo videos are what got me hooked a few years ago.

[@Happy_Hand]

I can't hate you for your musical opinion on whether or not Billy Strings is better solo or in a band, not when there are Taylored Schitt fans in the world.

[@nunyabinness2869]

FUCK yeah

[@WeldonLooney]

Yeah……… when people vote for slash and Clapton as the best……. I always think of Billy strings

[@cheifburninggrass]

The only thing I can do as fast as he can play, is type . 😊

[@motoandsk8]

LETSGOO

[@graysonbyrd7538]

Exactly how I felt seeing this pop up on my feed

[@Dulcimerea]

When John Henry was a little babe/ sitting' on his daddy's knee/ his daddy picked him up/ threw him on the floor/ saying, "baby done wet on me/ baby done wet on me" - Tommy Smothers

[@lilpoot5296]

Boss that's my hammer sucking wind.

[@AbeC368]

Tabs on ultimate guitar

[@AbeC368]

Very true my friend 😂 just made it for those who wanna see what’s going on

[@craigdouglasmartens7037]

What gauge strings does Billy Strings use here?

[@jhjs666333]

Hey its a song about me lol

[@redmeatrecords1065]

Who on earth disliked this and why?

[@stockarboy]

Mediocre guitar players!

[@krisley5178]

It's not true that we're all created equal...

[@mikeiancotter]

Boss that's just my hammer sucking wind