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.
The Fretboard Journal produces a keepsake magazine, podcasts, videos and online content for discerning guitar and music fans. Subscribe to our reader-supported publication here: shop.fretboardjournal.com/col...
billystrings.com
www.fretboardjournal.com

[@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

[@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.

[@Detroiter4ever001]

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

[@cjsmith8319]

My friends rip on me for liking bluegrass. I refer them to Billy, they’re rendered speechless.

[@BillHicks420]

I used to look down on this type of music (for some reason). But this dude has me mesmerized. I've been playing him nonstop for days now.

[@devanhansonmusic]

@@BillHicks420 You gotta check out Tony Rice! Very important player in bluegrass music 🤙

[@DingDongDaddyFromDumas933]

People hear the term bluegrass and think dumb dirty hillbillies. Well lots of people anyways. Even more so folks don't appreciate music the same as I do or you do and that's fine.... alas to deny pure talent even if you doing enjoy music in general you have to say this fella is the best at his art.

[@lisaclayton5824]

​@@BillHicks420I've been mesmerized since the basement video of dust in a baggie. I had NO CLUE the absolute joy their music would bring to my soul 🎉🎉🎉

[@KapaliLong]

Time for new friends ❤️ We got you here

[@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..

[@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 !!

[@adropofgoldensun27]

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

[@ronaldray8466]

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

[@drewstevens2529]

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

[@natecoyfishing]

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

[@Hkopey]

Oh you know he's as proud as a kitten

[@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

[@gordondeitz7838]

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

[@bryanmeldrum8276]

Billy is hands down the best picker around! He knocks it out of the park every time! Incredible!

[@jimmypercival2728]

Congratulations on your Grammy. I know all of you deserve it. Keep the great music coming.

[@SixStringSicario]

A once in a generation talent.

[@edwardbarr5163]

there's 20 people who put a thumbs down on here they're either deaf and jealous or just don't know a good tune when they hear It.

[@hankwhitley222]

I would assume they accidentally pressed the thumbs down button...over 300,000 views it must happen! Nothing else really makes sense! 👍

[@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 🔥

[@timothypeterson59]

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

[@sugarjanis3054]

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

[@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!!!

[@robertcastle-wh4op]

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

[@pipeandyreviewsbakedcat4157]

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

[@mastergamers6057]

He's awesome!

[@derekcarstensen9134]

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

[@johnpehanich832]

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

[@scott8879]

You sir are incredible.

[@kimjoellis5893]

This boy rocks and electrifies the soul 👍

[@Flatpicknation]

Billy ❤️

[@stephenbeaumont9032]

Every Doc Watson cover by billy I keep finding just keeps blowing my mind

[@Deran-yc8qx]

Me too

[@Magnum_Opus_Music]

*This is craftsmanship to the fullest*

[@devinselby2336]

God bless Billy Stings!

[@movimikey]

I love Billy strings

[@skatetodeath666]

Just born with talent

[@jacstocker7257]

He's insanely good with that guitar

[@tommoser6284]

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

[@buddydog1956]

outstanding!!!

[@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

[@davidroe64]

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

[@Dang...]

Fantastic! thanks for posting.

[@ikkenhisatsu7170]

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

[@randallrun]

There just ain’t enough words…. Wow.

[@martinwall7297]

a much higher level of truly American music.

[@liamx6636]

Spectacular.

[@pattidale7968]

Unbelievable! Love this!

[@luellenw]

I'm a 27 year old dude on my mom's KZbin account but screw it just wanna tell the world I LOVE THIS MAN!!!!!!! Billy you are nothing short of a legend THANK YOU!!!!

[@gabrielbingham605]

Gotta love that thumbnail

[@graysonbyrd7538]

Man, just a killer play. Thank god

[@mikaeleddy5836]

Amazing

[@josephfinlay8253]

Brilliant 👏

[@angelovanoeveren7936]

Love it 💚

[@scamassassin2538]

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.

[@moritzengel2735]

Wow I love your work!

[@MrPreston56]

love it!

[@diddyKite2010]

He's an absolute savage. Unreal x

[@tenkaiechi01]

Well done, Sir

[@earlyburg]

Excellent!

[@johnp7739]

Good stuff! I first heard this song on an Andy Griffith episode. Griffith actually played the guitar, so that might have been his picking on the show..it was definitely his voice. Anyway, this is another great version. Billy is always fantastic.

[@jameshagerman7681]

Pretty much anytime there was picking on the show it was actually Griffith with a few exceptions when he didn't know the song

[@rosscampbell1173]

One of the best parts of the show.

[@jeffreybabino8161]

Man great playing

[@grahamsauer1416]

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

[@dreaminslackkey]

wonderful

[@rockereb]

Mighty fine picking!

[@jackdolah2031]

Love from indonesia billy❤️❤️❤️

[@hamburgerdan101]

Billys stuff makes me patriotic for some reason

[@1m3rc4d0]

This is like Bob Dylan meets Bluegrass. Love it!

[@billsales3235]

good work!! keep ta rockin'

[@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).

[@paulevans6403]

Now I watch football with the sound muted and listen to Billy Strings on You Tube.

[@ericbruce5075]

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

[@sethrickard3140]

Welcome to the sound of music.

[@stevemaddog459]

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

[@-Visions-]

tearing it up

[@Thomas-ti4gm]

Brilliant

[@CreatedbyLC]

Please more videos with Billy strings

[@rosscampbell1173]

He’s young but he’s an old soul.

[@ZekeTheAlien]

Love it

[@tonyfrancesco3701]

This kid knows his instrument

[@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]

.

[@ajhalomaster]

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

[@Sluggo01]

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

[@nelsonx5326]

Good stuff.

[@RealPartySongs]

🙂 Great.

[@NH1969GOAT]

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

[@PSQUAD138]

That boy sho can play that geeetar!

[@RocketKirchner]

Billy is the Stevie Ray Vaughan of bluegrass !

[@teknikle8710]

Agreed

[@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.

[@windwalker8058]

This young fellow is string picking man whew!

[@______3109]

I want to hear him sing Blue moon of Kentucky

[@westharris6784]

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

[@timp8843]

Wwhhhhooooooo! Thats some hot shit Brother!!

[@jeffcollins1172]

Wow!

[@sharonanderson8375]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@waggonerfamilyworship5501]

Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo !

[@Upstreamprovider]

ACE!

[@jeffreybabino8161]

First learning about bluegrass music

[@Rydonattelo]

Henry Thomas 🕊

[@Profitocracy-]

The boss

[@neilsimon6871]

Savage virtuosity.

[@georgejohnson9166]

Wow

[@claudesnelling2720]

This song and long John isn’t on iTunes

[@jarrodmarsh9520]

Unbelievable ! Johnny Cash said