Saturday Sessions: Billy Strings and Chris Thile perform "Wild Bill Jones"

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 "Wild Bill Jones."
"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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[@j.r.r.tolkee7000]

Let's start a petition for Thile to be given creative control of next years Super Bowl Halftime Show.

[@jeffwolinski2659]

Real musicians playing real instruments?!? The stadium may explode.

[@j.r.r.tolkee7000]

@@jeffwolinski2659 I'm not sure the crew would know how to mic them. Just imagine, though - a Nickel Creek 'set', Punch Brothers 'set' and then a Fleck, Hull, Strings, Daves 'set'. For crying out loud, we could have the largest Fiddle Tunes Request Time ever.

[@shmroadtrips]

A reason to actually watch the halftime show? Mind. Explode. Idea. Best.

[@swampeastmissouri]

Totally agree! No lip synching needed.

[@lucyfoster4082]

@@tomharvard8286 I’m sure Thile was amenable to any song list. He’s impossibly adept at every style and genre that exists.

[@MatthewStundtner]

This may be the best thing ever to air on CBS

[@Joe-ns2gs]

Absolutely!

[@amywood7082]

100%

[@kirkrogers5507]

Can we please replace what i routinely hear on the airwaves with this? Real music, real talent, real heart.

[@erniecf]

It’s out there just gotta poke around

[@bobblofinshlof9741]

Look up live from here, hours of Chris thile

[@tonyschram1260]

I wish that too but I’m not holding my brea😀

[@Biker66Mike]

It was Oct 3, 2013; a typical weekend evening at Short's Brewery in Bellaire, MI and we were waiting for a table in a packed house. A couple of locals waved my wife and I over to their table and said we could sit with them near the stage. They said, "You're in luck, Bill Strings is playing tonight"; I asked, who is Billy Strings? They said he was a local bluegrass musician and he's pretty good. He was turning 21 on that day and was enjoying a Short's beer before he went on with Don Julian who was accompanying him on mandolin. My wife and I never listened to bluegrass so we were hesitant whether we'd be staying into the show. My god, my jaw dropped from the moment he started playing. What a talent! He single-handedly turned me on to bluegrass that evening and we have enjoyed following his journey into stardom! We wish you continued success William!

[@DontLetTheOldManIn]

Wow! What a treat! Sometimes it's the unplanned, naive discoveries that are the very best.

[@spokaneman7327]

That is a true “I knew him when” moment!

[@IronBallsMcNeese]

Lucky to see him in a chance meeting like that in his infancy as a known musician. Just like these folks at the Today Show who probably didn't fully grasp the musical miracle these two produced on this random talk show. Awesome experience I'm sure!

[@burchypoo70]

Awesome cool story!! so cool

[@abelresendez5111]

Damn, someone woke up one Saturday morning, turned on the tv, then had their face melted off. Poor soul!

[@thoyo]

what a dream collab! Hope they do an album together

[@grantreynolds5654]

This

[@HannahEsty]

Exactly this.

[@andishawjfac]

Lot of videos of them together have come out in the past few days, somethings brewing.

[@thoyo]

@@andishawjfac fingers crossed!

[@michaelmenet2712]

100%!! They could be the Skaggs/Rice of this era. Please make an album together, boys! Heck, make it a double album. Can't wait.

[@alangrosso4514]

Perhaps the worlds best mandolin player and flatpicking bluegrass guitar player showing the rest of the world how it's done. Pretty damn good singers as well.

[@austenrobinson2747]

Thile may be the best mando player to ever live. Billy has come a long way from the couch and green shirt guy. You absolutely have to be on your A game to play with Thile. The timing changes are insane and I don’t think he intentionally does it. It just part of him.

[@jcx5659]

There is no perhaps about it. This is generational talent.....

[@beastinthesky6774]

I'm a huge Billy fan, and he may get there, but if pressed I would say Brian Sutton is the best (living) bluegrass guitarist. And Tony Rice is the best of all time (RIP). Pretty comfortable saying Thile is the best ever bluegrass mando player though.

[@crosbycofod5052]

@@beastinthesky6774 Second this! Absolutely. Tony Rice's ear was open to some broader harmonic content from his love of jazz for sure. The GOAT, but Billy is def no slouch!

[@ErichFetterolf]

All Billy knows is A game qaulity. I love Chris and his legacy, but it’s not Billy who went looking to play with Chris. Billy is bringing sweeping change to music in general. TY Chris and Billy for this ripping classic 🎶 ❤️

[@blakemathews7828]

Chris Thile truly becomes one with whoever he plays with. Such a rare a beautiful ability. God bless both these men.

[@Duffyartwork]

They appear blessed already lol

[@davefuller1618]

I've always thought Chris Thile was good lead singer, but the best accompanying singer I have ever heard. The way he meshes his voice with whomever he is working with is amazing.

[@johnfranz-m9v]

Have you seen the Goat Rodeo Sessions? Thile with Yo Yo....

[@picturerenee1574]

Oh Billy, all of us are so gosh dang happy for you....

[@danielberry9610]

There is something magical about Chris Thile's playing where it comes across as simultaneously so precise as to be continually rehearsed, while also feeling totally improvised and perfectly melded to those he is accompanying.

[@STSGuitar16]

As far as I am concerned, an instrumentalist is really only as good as their improvisational skills. Being able to know your instrument well enough to improvise and play whatever you hear in your head perfectly is a sign of complete mastery of an instrument. Anyone can practice the same piece of music for years in order to play it, and while that does have its place in music, improvisation is where a player's skill level is truly revealed. The best of the best are able to improvise stuff that most of us could never even write. Improvisational abilities are just the ultimate litmus test, imo.

[@spencertherren6806]

If you all get the chance, go see Billy Strings. Life changing.✌️🇺🇲

[@aaronhumphreys842]

That's just sick. They've played together for 4 days. I finally have faith in our future. Wow

[@kansasandinmisery]

So sick.

[@erniecf]

Turn the tv and radio off man just gotta poke around

[@gord_mcpoyle]

Or apparently just turn on cbs!​@erniecf

[@stingray43550]

@@erniecfyupp

[@sampankratz8621]

Two pickers at the top of the game, doesn’t get much better!

[@blake46long]

Watch how they just drop into the zone and bounce off each other from about 2:15-3:40. A masterclass in listening as much as it a masterclass in virtuosity.

[@awboat]

Up there with Al Dimeola and Pacho DeLucia.

[@Pshh.Unreal]

If these two joined as a duo for a side project doing exactly what they’re doing here , I’d be a super fan . I could listen to this all day. Blue grass for new world

[@jaysalisbury193]

Talent like this has gravity.

[@tkreitler]

I love the way these two push each other until they're hanging on for all they have.

[@jysmtl]

Indeed! Awesome to behold.

[@austenrobinson2747]

It’s more intense when they do the full bluegrass set a Lincoln Center. It’s almost like Thile is saying “ok let’s see what you really got”. Billy as good as he is you can tell he’s going places that he didn’t know he had in him. It was fun to watch if you know what to look for. It was all I had hoped it would be bud sadly all we have is phone recordings.

[@Tusitala1967]

Perfect description of what I just watched. 🙂

[@ProbableCause-DanGryder]

Two of the best in the entire world playing the most technically complicated bluegrass piece ever recorded without sheet music or electronics and listen to the less than enthusiastic audience response at the end.

[@reidsmith8739]

This is an "In" studio performance! There is no "Audience" just the small crew working to broadcast the show and the three host.The same audience they have every Saturday morning for the musical guest.Again there is "No" studio audience! You should be happy CBS even has music of this quality on at all,even if there isn't a large audience.

[@JamesJessenfedden]

“Most technically complicated bluegrass piece”? No. Fantastic improvisation over a simple song.

[@_riesenbezwinger_4891]

Musical perfection. PERIOD.

[@johnsiers]

These two are great, together or separately 🫶👍

[@wegder]

These 2 guys could record a historic record in no time at all, a few days at most, probably already have.

[@peterweisz42]

This performance represents the state of the art in American musicianship. Billy Strings has matured into not only the most gifted flat picker since Doc Watson and Dan Crary, but also the possessor of a haunting and unmatched vocal talent. It appears that with this partnership with Chris Thile he has met a counterpart who measures up to his substantial abilities. It is the most exquisite pairing since Django met Grappelli. Ranging from the mournful "high lonesome" sound with its off-beat rhythm to jazz dissonance and experimental musical escapades, the duo here blaze a new pathway into the future of traditional/contemporary music. It does the soul good to see that future being fretted and frailed in such capable talented hands. Bravo, bravo, bravo.

[@markhall7951]

What a great duet. It's so rare to see two topnotch players that sing as well as they play.

[@austenrobinson2747]

Chris is making Billy work to keep up and I’m sure he loves the challenge

[@christopherjames418]

I'd like to see Rick Beato interview Chris Thile

[@bradswanson6788]

I have doubts Rick even knows who he is. He's barely dipped his toes into the Americana genre (Bela Fleck, and that's about it).

[@dustine4184]

Best thing I've ever heard and seen! I had full on chills and goosebumps!

[@dianemickelson4384]

I agree with you.

[@sonnyprewitt]

Chris Thile and Billy Strings have a chemistry like I've never seen..they are truly amazing!

[@williamfisher233]

Chris doesn't have to take a backseat to anyone on this planet. What a person.

[@Tempestwg564]

Came for Billy, but left wondering, "Why the hell wasn't I notified about this Chris Thile person?" Which was, basically, like discovering Billy all over again.

[@bradswanson6788]

Yea, best mandolin player ever.

[@snotpu]

Start with Nickel Creek's first album, continue forward until done.

[@Whaleferal]

YEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW good job fellas

[@mason4490]

I wondered if Billy was going to quote Clarence, and it looked like he wasn't going to. But at 2:33, there it was. Putting it at the end was actually great placement...a tip- of- the hat homage to Mr. White. The jazzy comping starting at 2:12 made his own unique spin on the song clear, so to follow that with a bow to the past was touching. And all along- this pair was dialed in to each other. Chris can stir the forces of nature, and Billy can ride that wave.

[@MarkMasdin]

I could listen to them play together all day.

[@ChokeOnHamburder]

These are two of my favorite musicians. What a treat! I sincerely hope the Live From Here format can return somewhere, somehow.

[@dmbfantony]

Billy is doing the collabo heavy nowadays. Keep it up!

[@roobotix]

Actually he has for quite a while. Check out grey fox fest.

[@andysaorkerfay6035]

Bluegrass / Jazz? Or the end of labels? These two are amazing.🤩🥰

[@noahlejeune3154]

Imagine if they actually practiced together on a regular basis....

[@tomharvard8286]

Billy Strings is truly a special person. Awesome seeing Thile with him.

[@tomikorhonen]

Damn! Two of my favourite guys playing the hell out of mandolin and guitar. Brilliant stuff!

[@jameswadehines2629]

Been a fan of Chris since the Nickle Creek days! This is what it looks like to be at the very top of your craft!

[@bluegrasshack3810]

2/3/24 N I C K E L Pick away! Bluegrasshack

[@jeffreysiegel9125]

It's scarry how great Thiele and Strings sound together!😮👍

[@genxjud7578]

This is so good it hurts..

[@Duffyartwork]

I love the fragmentation in the middle there and then the explosion. It felt like 2 people loving what they do and doing it well together

[@mygicshow]

Wow, I’d have to say that was probably one of the best performances I’ve seen on that show…. Beautiful ride into the spirit world…💙🦉💙

[@jimlegette4008]

hot picking on some old tunes this is perfection!!!!!!!!!

[@zacate1983]

This was magic, pinnacle of human connection and collaboration

[@roobotix]

Great entertainment Keep up the great work CBS . You can hear Doc Watson and Bill Monroe for sure.

[@TuesdaysJustAsBad]

+Bela Fleck +Michael Cleveland please and thank you.

[@IvaMachete]

My brain would explode lol go easy

[@ekgr212]

Yes!! This needs to happen.

[@blakebivens3343]

Pretty sure they play together on “Slippery Eel” off Bela’s last album

[@williamfisher233]

This was on CBS?!?!?! Clearly an accident. Mindblowing skill and precision.

[@LeeBobjr]

That odd, jazz free fall improv joint around 2 minutes made my face melt!!!

[@diegocortes9668]

Strong vocals & pickin', by Billy & Chris for this song. Yes, I would love to see both of these performers in a SuperBowl half-time show. I like Hip-Hop and Rap as much so why give some Country-Blues... Blue Grass their dues. I say yes!

[@tomf429]

Sounds great. Billy capo’s at 7th fret to play C shapes up high in Key of G on a D-28 (no cut-out). He’s a brave guy.

[@jmtab]

Two masters of their craft.

[@BeckyBuckley-i7k]

You are so gracious Billy

[@billbingham2430]

Finally. I’ve been hoping to hear these two together.

[@janinekaewilson]

More of this CBS!! See you in Nashville Billy 😍🤩😍🤩😍

[@melodywebster9206]

Wow! Just WOW!

[@Barncatfish]

Chris is an interplanetary genius on the mando, and those high vocal harmonies over Billy's outstanding lead vocal were a thing to behold.

[@paulchinery6580]

Two of the best in the business, without a doubt.

[@andreaboyle9435]

OMG... A CD is needed from these two!

[@PhilipReid-rm6bb]

Two of the best Bluegrass Musicians alive today. Listening to Chris & Billy play together on the same stage is one of life’s true pleasures. The future of Bluegrass is in good hands!

[@crewyou07]

Wow! Holy smokes, what chemistry!! Those boys went for a ride!

[@wowthatwasit]

I knew it was bound to happen…these two playing together. 🎉🎉 Two of the most talented musicians -both musical visionaries and innovators. These traditional tunes never sounded better..they have been elevated.

[@michaelmatto8258]

Unbelievably good

[@irvingdog01]

You just witnessed greatness

[@finnpowell1354]

Any legitimate work they do together will go down as some of the most significant of B Stings’s career. It’s so unbelievable musical. Reminds me of jazz playing

[@jysmtl]

100%

[@654Tennis]

Long live BMFS! 🐐🎶🙌

[@Enjoywatchingyoutube8227]

Both are amazing

[@ronmoyer6627]

You go, Billy 👍

[@jiacooper]

Awesome bluegrass jazz and blues SKILL

[@travisthornton1792]

This is the top of the mountain.

[@EdBrooking]

I've been waiting a while for Billy to broaden his horizons... Playing with Chris is a great start 🤯

[@jysmtl]

Billy’s horizons have been broad, if you follow his live shows. That’s his, one of his, strengths. But I agree that this collaboration with Thile is awesome. Seems like Chris is pushing him, in good ways. Love it.

[@Efantasy77]

An absolute masterpiece!!!!! Legends in the making!!!!!!!

[@ShiningEyeBrigade]

Holy,geez us! Amazing players on their own, so I knew I was in for a treat. But never dreamed they would inspire and compliment each other so perfectly. This is blissful playing both for us and them.

[@luthiermatt]

I wondering if this collab would ever happen. Too good!

[@hayleyfitzpatrick1568]

Such a treat to listen to. The harmonies and interplay are top tier, only can happen when two world class musicians put their egos aside for the music!

[@CorneiliusLibowitz]

Thing, BS doesn't have a giant ego to begin with.....

[@andrewmccroskery4016]

Unreal

[@trippseven]

Wow! I am floored! Amazing

[@andrewsussman2202]

That’s unbelievably good. Wow.

[@aonjmj]

Straight fire, ripped across the strings.

[@marvingriffin3692]

Taking wild bill Jones to another level of virtuosity ❤ and exemplary partnership.

[@error9900]

Glad these two finally got together.

[@GenevieveKBusch]

Mind blowing 🤯

[@lauragarber1223]

So proud of you Billy!! I remember seeing you at red mesa in boyne city about 8 years ago or so now and to see how far you have come is amazing!! Love you man! Keep up the great work.

[@bryceelliott9112]

There is no comparison, but as good as the Seldom Seen for at least one song. Thank God we have these boys. It’s as if they are straight from the cradle.

[@andishawjfac]

They are like a modern Bill Monroe and Jimmy Martin

[@chappydowhop]

I could watch these 2 jam all day!!!

[@grungecountry]

That was absolutely brilliant. Great chemistry between

[@baileyride]

Just so good

[@timrohling6042]

WOW, Just WOW!!!

[@danford7918]

Met him at station inn on monday night about 7 years ago. Very nice guy. I wish him all good things. Man hes really a great picker.

[@lucyfoster4082]

Which one?

[@wtmuller1]

Just awesome. I've always been a big fan of Garcia and Grismsn mandolin and guitar but even they could never have pulled off something like this. This is magical music

[@krazycaseychannel2292]

Yeah, i think these guys are way beyond the scope of G&G....

[@jysmtl]

Yes. What Garcia’s and Grisman did was wonderful and groundbreaking. This collab between Billy and Chris takes it to a completely new level. No knock on G&G. I’m sure they would agree.

[@IvaMachete]

I love that it's really nothing like Garcia Grisman, which was a top shelf pairing indeed. Even though the instruments are the same, these artists are forging a new pathway and it's fantastic!

[@jimwing.2178]

Rice and Grisman is a more apt comparison to Thile and Strings. Garcia and Grisman, not so much.

[@jysmtl]

@@jimwing.2178I’ve been thinking Skaggs and Rice. Ricky, of course, not the technician that Chris is, but in terms of outstanding collaboration Skaggs and Rice was incredible and influential. Strings and Thile could be a 2020s version.

[@harrylazard805]

Terrific, glad I lived long enough to see Bluegrass music evolve in this good way...

[@LynnwoodBrown]

Every once in a blue moon, our fantasies actually do live up to our anticipation. Been waiting & wondering what might happen when these two would mix it up. So fine, so fine! Thanks guys!! Ready now for the first great guitar/mando collaboration album of this generation!

[@albertdale5101]

Chris Thile brings it every time... every performance is unique and exceptional

[@vincentd6768]

It doesn't get much better than this. Two immensely talented artists.

[@golfingfool777]

This is absolutely brilliant!

[@chellemiller5728]

Fire!❤

[@barbarataylor7791]

Can’t get enough! ❤️❤️❤️

[@HannahEsty]

Mind-blowing talent

[@jerrysmitelfinger]

Folks, you just got a masterclass in music! Two of the most prolific and ground breaking talents in music. I'm pretty sure that a portal to another dimension opened up for brief moment there.