McNeese Banners to Present Billy Strings

Bluegrass prodigy and rising star Billy Strings will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 9, in McNeese State University’s F.G. Bulber Auditorium as part of the opening weekend of the 2019 Banners Cultural Season.

Named a “Top 10 New Country Artist” by Rolling Stone, the 26-year-old guitarist and his band made their debut appearance at the venerated Grand Ole Opry a week before his performance here in Lake Charles.

After releasing their latest album “Turmoil & Tinfoil” in 2017, Billy and the boys have burned up the road playing hundreds of dates a year, heavy on the festival circuit, and bringing an exciting, youthful energy to bluegrass music while also honoring its highly respected traditions. 

Strings picked up his love for music from his father, a bluegrass musician who worked around their home region of central Michigan, and he honed his performance chops as a young guitarist with heavy rock bands.

The critically acclaimed album, “Turmoil & Tinfoil,” combines the seemingly disparate genres of traditional bluegrass music with eclectic influences such as the Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, Black Sabbath and Pearl Jam, successfully capturing the energy of their thrilling live performances, where Billy Strings and his band truly shine.

Joining him on stage will be Billy Failing on banjo, Royal Masat on bass and Jarrod Walker on mandolin.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $5 for students under 18 and free for McNeese and Sowela students with current IDs.

Banners is supported by ticket sales, memberships, corporate sponsors and grants. For more information about the program or to get your tickets, visit the Banners website at www.banners.org or call the Banners office at 337-475-5123.

Persons needing accommodations as provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the ADA Coordinator at 337-475-5428, voice; 337-456-5960, fax; 337-562-4227, TDD/TTY, hearing impaired or by email at cdo@mcneese.edu.