Billy Strings & Lil Smokies @ Fox Theater

Article Contributed by Fox Theatre | Published on Monday, November 28, 2016

"Imagine taking a hardcore heavy metal band like Pantera and cramming all that energy into the body of a 23-year-old bluegrass guitarist. That’s BILLY STRINGS. He tears up the stage during his set, grimacing, growling, head-banging and tearing the holy sh*t out of a set of super-charged Americana. Kid can pick! DAMN can he pick!  It’s acoustic music with a punk edge and a lot of youthful enthusiasm and, oh man, that PICKING!  Strings covers a wide variety of classic tunes and songs in his show, from a slow-burning cover of 'Wild Bill Jones' to a raw cover of 'Cocaine Blues' or picking delights like 'Red Haired Boy' and 'Soldier’s Joy.' But the standout track is the opening song, 'Dust in a Baggie,' a cleverly written mountain song about meth that manages to take a very current and destructive issue and translate it into the bluegrass vernacular. It’s a tour-de-force, written by Strings himself, and is the moment you realize just how far this kid’s gonna go."

—  D.L. "THE BLUEGRASS SITUATION"

With their roots submerged in the thick buttery mud of traditional bluegrass, THE LIL' SMOKIES have sonically blossomed into a leading player in the progressive acoustic sphere, creating a new and wholly unique, melody driven sound of their own. The quintet, from Missoula, MT, has been hard at work, writing, touring and playing to an ever-growing fan base for the past 6 years. The fruits of their labor recently culminating with wins at the 2016 International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Momentum Award for Best Band and at the 2015 Telluride Bluegrass festival band competition. In 2013 the band also won The Northwest String Summit Band Competition. With a unique blend of traditional bluegrass, newgrass, innumerable unique originals, sheer raw energy, and exquisite musicianship, The Lil’ Smokies weave seamlessly through genres, leaving behind melodies you’ll be singing to yourself for days and a jaw you’ll have to pick up off the floor.

For more information, visit Billy Strings’ Website at: http://www.billystrings.com

For more information, visit The Lil’ Smokies’ Website at: http://thelilsmokies.com

OFFICIAL WINTERWONDERGRASS STEAMBOAT PRE-PARTY WITH BILLY STRING & THE LIL’ SMOKIES

with DEAD HORSES

FOX THEATRE

February 22nd, 2017

Doors:  7:30 pm | Show:  8:00 pm

Tickets on sale 10 A.M. Friday, December 2nd at foxtheatre.com

$10 Early | $13 Advanced | $15 Day Of Show

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