Billy Strings Plays ‘Austin City Limits,’ Joins Willie Nelson At 4th Of July Picnic & Extends Fall Tour 2026

After nearly three months on the sidelines, Billy Strings finally took the stage for his own shows this past weekend in Austin with a taping for the next season of Austin City Limits on Thursday and a set at Willie Nelson's 4th of July Picnic on Saturday. Strings also added three dates to his already extensive fall tour.

The guitarist had been off the road since breaking his leg in a skateboarding mishap during his concert in Charlottesville, Virginia on April 18. Billy Strings warmed up for his return by making appearances in his home state of Michigan over the past five weeks with Primus in Rochester Hills, Trey Anastasio in Grand Rapids and The McCourys at the Charlotte Bluegrass Festival.

Strings filmed a two-set performance for Season 52 of Austin City Limits at ACL Live at the Moody Theater on Thursday, July 2. The guitarist and his band — mandolinist Jarrod Walker, bassist Royal Masat, banjo player Billy Failing and fiddler Alex Hargreaves — performed from seated positions throughout a show which was livestreamed on YouTube.

Billy went heavy on songs from his last two studio albums, 2021’s Renewal and 2024’s Highway Prayers, at his first full-band gig since April. Strings also previewed his forthcoming record, So Much For Goodbyes, with a performance of “I’m One Of Those.” Additionally, he took time to speak with the audience, telling the stories behind such songs as “Dust In A Baggie” and recounting a visit to Blaze Foley’s nearby grave before honoring the country legend by performing “Cold Cold World.”

On Saturday, Billy Strings headed to the Germania Insurance Amphitheater for a set at Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic. Strings was part of a lineup for the outlaw country legend’s annual Independence Day concert with Wilco, Lukas Nelson, Stephen Wilson Jr., Rodney Crowell and Lily Meola.

The guitarist and his band set the stage for Willie with a 10-song, 55-minute set, also performed seated. Strings stretched out jam vehicle “Meet Me At The Creek” in the middle of a performance otherwise highlighted by “California Sober,” a song Billy wrote with Nelson, and “10,000 Miles From A Friend.” Along with “I’m One Of Those,” it’s the only track from So Much For Goodbyes Strings has road tested.

Billy Strings returned with his guitar for the end of Willie Nelson’s set. Strings and other performers from the lineup joined the 93-year-old and his band for a medley of “Will The Circle Be Unbroken” and “I’ll Fly Away.” Check out audience-shot video of the collaborative performance below:

Looking ahead, Billy Strings also tacked on three dates to his upcoming fall tour. Strings set a two-night stand at Chattanooga, Tennessee’s newly renovated Tivoli Theatre for October 20 and 21. He’ll also return to Austin for a tour-closing show at the Moody Center on December 12.

A Ticketmaster request period for Chattanooga tickets runs from Wednesday, July 8 at 10 a.m. local time through Monday, July 13 at 11:59 p.m. local time. Austin tickets go on sale this Friday, July 10 at 10 a.m. local time.

Setlists & Photos (via @BillyStrings)