Saturday Sessions: Billy Strings and Chris Thile perform "I Am A Pilgrim"

Get ready for the Grammys with this special Grammy Award edition of Saturday Sessions! Billy Strings is an acclaimed singer-songwriter and guitarist, and Chris Thile is a master mandolin player and composer. Both are nominated for separate Grammy Awards and have long admired each other. Here, they'll play together for the first time. Here are Billy Strings and Chris Thile with "I Am A Pilgrim."
"CBS Saturday Morning" co-hosts Jeff Glor, Michelle Miller and Dana Jacobson deliver two hours of original reporting and breaking news, as well as profiles of leading figures in culture and the arts. Watch "CBS Saturday Morning" at 7 a.m. ET on CBS and 8 a.m. ET on the CBS News app.
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[@29danderson]

Literally have been waiting for these two to play together. This needs to be a tour.

[@hannahpettersen7933]

Agreed I'd be there!

[@UsnRoberts]

Nickel Creek is touring, maybe the Mr. Strings will make an appearance.

[@LonesomeLeftist]

Its the dude from punch brothers, right?

[@slode1693]

They played together on a bunch of songs on Bela Fleck's "My Bluegrass Heart" Some great stuff... Slippery Eel will leave you wondering WTF just happened.

[@adamnewman8556]

Yes

[@jrdn82]

The world needs more of this please! Two of the best ever at what they do, getting to communicate and improvise intimately at a very high level is just not something we are blessed with often. It would be a gift for generations to have these guys record a lot of music together like this.

[@jakenunnally2639]

That tempo change around 1:50? WOW, how Chris just adjusted and they worked off of each other's rhythm. Two masters of their own class. I agree, we need more Strings/Thile!

[@VeeDubR32]

@@jakenunnally2639 Check out Chris w/Michael Daves

[@jeremymott9060]

You guys should do this every Saturday i will watch religiously. BMFS

[@barefootarts737]

Praise be the maker of all form in creation. And man as a witness to The Art.

[@tkcurtis1725]

@@barefootarts737 God didn't practice and tour for years and years, and thousands upon thousands of hours, living and breathing this music! This is ALL Billy and Chris!

[@barefootarts737]

@@tkcurtis1725 Art speaks for itself. Especially music. And Artists don't need you to speak to their achievements either.

[@mrsweettater]

I'm having flash backs to Tony Rice and Norman Blake or Tony and Ricky Scaggs playing back in the 1980's. Great stuff!

[@gregsvintageconsoles3673]

I think that in fact is Tonys guitar that Billy is playing. He bought it from Tonys wife .

[@mountaintyme2000]

@@gregsvintageconsoles3673 , no he did';t buy the Clarence guitar that Tony owned.

[@gregsvintageconsoles3673]

@@mountaintyme2000 oh ok....did he just barrow it for a few shows?

[@austenrobinson2747]

Billy was allowed to play “The Antique” at one show by Tony’s widow. No way that guitar leaves the family.

[@brianvetrano6817]

Both singing to eachother without saying a word. Incredible

[@howlinhog]

Two legendary instrumentalists playing two legendary instruments

[@austenrobinson2747]

Looks like Chris is playing one of his Loars and Billy is playing Jody a 44 D28. Yea they are beyond nice.

[@howlinhog]

@@austenrobinson2747 Yep, that's his Loar, valued in the range of a million dollars. I met a guy and the instrument (because that it was you do, you meet the instrument) who has a Loar one number away from Chris's.

[@Gently469]

It just doesn't get any better than this, folks. These two virtuosos feed off each other like no musicians I've ever seen. The sky is the limit with them.

[@MatthewMoore1]

Billy Strings: my generation’s guitar hero. Saw him in concert, one of the best shows I’ve ever been to.

[@alro11]

i am excited to see him and the band in CO this spring 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@TheHonudiver]

This duo needed to happen! The collaboration will hopefully yield years of great music!

[@mrmink]

Billy Strings can play with everybody in any style! Amazing.

[@orfjcruiser]

Wow, these two are on top of their game and it’s wonderful to see them collaborating

[@ChuckSchickx]

These guys are "naturals". Music simply flows through them...and through each other. Rare.

[@sharonammirati2042]

Naturals yes, but backed up by hours of hard work!

[@mikelabomusic7782]

Beautiful. To think this kind of quality was once much prevalent on television. Now it seems so rare and amazing.

[@GM-xj2ez]

What I love about Billy,is the seeming lack of ego and genuine appreciation of other musicians gifts

[@ellanjeranek173]

This would make Clarence White smile...

[@erikalesi7603]

And Chris Hillman😊

[@steveandsarahrutledge9105]

This piece they find room for each other's brilliance, and blend well! IMHO.

[@maryroseyoga]

Been admiring Chris Thile and his classically trained bluegrass band the Punch Brothers a long while. They helped me learn about Justin Townes Earle- who was an opener for them back in 2011 when I lived nyc. Billy MF Strings came on my radar in SF a few years later…he took what the punch bros did a massive step further. Put a couple prodigy musical geniuses together and look how much fun they have together and what they create! These are old old songs they’re covering. It’s soul level love of this music and their expression of it is not to be missed. Met both of these dudes couple times - feel lucky to listen. Can only imagine how their brains must work. If ya know, ya know when it comes to music…

[@fiddlecentric]

I believe only two have classical training: Gabe Witcher (fiddle) and Paul Kowert (bass).

[@Willem536]

Hm…I’m not sure how Billy Strings took what the Punch Brothers were doing a massive step further. The Punch Brothers have written true masterworks incorporating many genres and styles. I don’t think anyone even does what the Punch Brothers have done. Billy Strings is good. I don’t intend any criticism toward him, but they are doing very different things in my opinion. And in terms of technicality and music theory, the Punch Brothers are clearly elevated in that regard.

[@elliotportner8020]

Billy has come a long way--+ as a top musician he has a fabulous future

[@mtngritz]

The rest of the world just got the gift that I was lucky enough to find on a little side stage at WinterWomdergrass in Steamboat years ago... I'd take an album or two of that...

[@cubuffdoc]

Clarence is beaming, wherever he is. I just got the chills listening!

[@jeffwolinski2659]

Two absolute masters of their craft!

[@austenrobinson2747]

It flows so effortlessly from both. A joy to watch

[@uniqueyoutubehandle]

The rhythm changes are sublime. They riff off of eachother effortlessly. Such a pleasure!

[@timhopper8449]

Two of the finest instruments ever made. That Martin D28 and Loar Gibson F5 are almost as stunning as the talent playing them.

[@czwild2]

If I could like this more than once, I'd be clicking it all evening.

[@richardgleichmann7671]

Besides just the relaxed mood of this piece.. Seeing these two have such a fun time playing together.. just makes it even better.. Thanks 🎶😌🎶...👍😁

[@AaronRennaker]

Yeah, that does it for me.

[@roderickrichardson6775]

Billy you da man and your buddy’s mandolin playin’ is so good! Come to Alabama … I’m 71 years kinda old, so come on down to LA “ lower Alabama before I have to take my LONG TRIP , you know the one we all will make. Peace! Rocker Rod

[@wildwoodstream]

Kind of strange to hear Chris Thile referred to as Billy’s buddy. 😂 Thile was a mandolin prodigy and is now a MacArthur genius virtuoso who can play Bach as easily as Bill Monroe. Look him up, Rocker Rod. You won’t be disappointed.

[@paulcowley3648]

Exquisite!

[@LisaNygard]

Listen to this forever I’ve seen Billy twice and I got another ticket to go see him soon. It’s amazingly fabulous spectacular.

[@pshhh7856]

That was an incredible performance

[@steventaylor6212]

Amazing!

[@ganjjabarsmedium2347]

Poetry in sound 🙌

[@brandondavis5404]

Thank you for the great performance!

[@jayboyce2209]

That was so sweet! Longtime fan of both of you!

[@adamk9700]

Clearly we need more of these two. I’d also love to hear Thile with Trey Hensley. What a romp that would be

[@edengineer48]

I am a pilgrim to this . Wonderful, and please more.

[@adammcbride6241]

Heat

[@worldcapers]

A match made in heaven! Sweet Music!❤

[@DrStich]

Bravo! Simply sublime.

[@pldean]

The Exquisite precision and synergy of this duo is so much fun to watch- Thanks guys!!

[@larryg103]

That was fantastic!!

[@USNAVDC]

Priceless! Two SUPER TALENTS. Chris Thile is a music machine nd Billy too.

[@SethsHairyToe]

they are trying to corpse each other and i love it!

[@alro11]

Billy is pretty brilliant AND since he’s been going to guitar school it’s been fun listening how good he’s getting.. already incredibly talented ❤❤

[@harrylazard805]

Fabulous. Clarence and Roland White would have loved that....

[@mountaintyme2000]

I wish Roland had the opportunity to spend some time with Billy.

[@harrylazard805]

@@mountaintyme2000 To bad Roland's getting pretty old. I got to eat breakfast with him at a music camp about ten years ago, nice down to earth guy....

[@itsonlylovehere2]

Thats beautiful

[@NancyBrown2-oi6tk]

So WONDERFUL...MORE!!!!! Makes my heart soar

[@anneslife309]

Can’t wait to see him in April

[@sharonammirati2042]

So lovely..thanks post, love this ❤

[@cintarocko5095]

Billy is AMAZING WOULD LOVE 4 HIM 2 COME 2 HOUSTON ❤

[@flautalee3090]

Thank you for posting this video and for KZbin for sending my way!❤

[@tourhead]

So amazing!

[@RonWinter335]

Awesome! These guys are so DAMM good!

[@josephkenny77]

sublime

[@Mark-Zhark]

Billy the GOAT with Chris is sublime

[@danarbuckle6640]

Two of my favorites. I wish Chris still had his radio show. Actually, I wish Garrison still had his radio show.

[@EmersumBiggins]

GK got railroaded 😡

[@MamaSaidStringBand]

THIS IS SO GOOD!

[@chipyamada]

wow amazing incredible beautiful great

[@kellyschultz485]

I watched this, it was great!

[@Oklatucky_Guitarman]

Tour together. Please.

[@zampano00]

These two...what a a gift this conversation is!♥

[@charlesshepherd2004]

Yes!

[@nogoogleplus]

Sooo smooth!

[@RyneMurray23]

They are both masters of their craft🔥👌🏼

[@amusicment4829]

Quite amazing trades and synchronicity for improv… Wowow

[@yoniudkoff3577]

Sooooo good!!!

[@cameronspears1386]

Fantastic!!!

[@jameswynn1310]

Very talented and the time has been put in!!

[@patgiblinsongs5]

So cool!

[@leonardoaloi]

Straordinari!

[@marymaizee2263]

Delightful!

[@johnpearson5000]

Modern legends!

[@bungalowbill16]

Incredible

[@MurrayWilliams]

Monsters! Both of them! Amazing.

[@davidmclean3465]

Wow!

[@keekers8785]

This is my dream duo and I’m thrilled that my dreams came true!

[@BlueBanjoGrass]

Awesome!!

[@japanesemaplepruning]

Perfection in every way

[@rogerhughes4128]

Great segment!🎉

[@claudelarosa3378]

Trop Good ! .Bravo @ vous deux, vous étes exellents Merci pour vos delicieuses Notes .

[@luvbgrass]

That was just SICK! 😁😁

[@WhoDeyWorld]

Wow I shivered the whole time 😆 🤣

[@JJJK2121]

Unreal talent

[@loganpaesha]

Been missing Billy's epic guitar faces. Love your face Mr!

[@estano9111]

amazing

[@susanzeman4261]

Amazing ❤

[@MarkWirly]

Two masters at their craft!!!❤️☮️🙏😎🎶🎸🎶🎸

[@bigbossman7991]

Phenomenal 🔥

[@netdoom]

Crazy talent

[@mf5202]

Morning glory!!! What a pair!

[@prajnabala]

Love Love Love

[@wyltk75]

Two virtuosos. This is awesome.

[@danpugh9407]

Never heard two such talented musicians make such an unholy racket

[@user-zf6fv2sg1e]

Good old grateful dead

[@user-zf6fv2sg1e]

From Patti Cornell

[@JohnWawiorka]

Puts me in a dream. I imagine myself along a trout stream at night by a fire looking at a few small gold nuggets I found panning that day. I eat some trout and hear an owl. Then I hear a loud bang and wake up. Damn. I wanted to continue my time travel. It was so much fun

[@tubeworldgirl]

Whoa.

[@Wqsmh]

아름답고 훌륭한 연주 감사해요😊

[@crd9191]

Somewhere, Clarence White is proud

[@georgebrianfredson-rz4lu]

Masters of their craft.

[@jaygatsby1]

Like Mo Bandy once said, it ain’t Skaggs & Rice but it ain’t bad. I kid. Bravo boys.

[@shroommcfanta2020]

Chris is a true master and Billy may become one if he pays attention