Billy Strings Announces Highly-Anticipated New Album ‘Highway Prayers’ & Puts Pedal To The Metal On ‘Leadfoot’ Single

Leftover Salmon’s Vince Herman appears in the Ryen McPherson-directed “Leadfoot” video.

By Scott Bernstein Aug 2, 2024 5:12 am PDT

Billy Strings‘ long-in-the-making new studio album, Highway Prayers, arrives on September 27 via Reprise Records. Today, Strings finally shared details of the follow up to 2021’s Renewal and its lead single, “Leadfoot,” along with a wild accompanying video featuring guest star Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon.

The LP was produced by Strings and the famed Jon Brion (Fiona Apple, Mac Miller, Aimee Mann). Highway Prayers, which also follows Strings’ Me/And/Dad 2022 collaborative album with his dad, Terry Barber, was recorded in Nashville and Los Angeles. Many of the 20 original songs featured on the new album have never been played before live.

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Billy Strings is joined by his bandmates — fiddler Alex Hargreaves, bassist Royal Masat, banjo player Billy Failing and mandolinist Jarrod Walker — on the upcoming record. Other contributors include Brion (bass, drums, percussion), Matt Chamberlain (drums), Jerry Douglas (dobro), Jason Carter (fiddle), Lindsay Lou (backing vocals), Nathaniel Smith (cello), Taneka Samone (backing vocals), Cory Henry (piano), Peter “Madcat” Ruth (harmonica, jaw harp) and Victor Furtado (clawhammer banjo).

“Leadfoot,” which is among the songs the guitarist has yet to perform live, features Strings on vocals, banjo, bass, steel guitar and EBow electric guitar. Sounds from his beloved 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle are also included on the track along with the drumming of Matt Chamberlain, the only other contributor to “Leadfoot” outside of Strings.

Billy Strings conceived the idea for the Ryen McPherson-directed “Leadfoot” video. The guitarist donned lots of latex and makeup to star as an aging gentleman with creased skin in the video. Strings’ stage manager Nate Flores drives Billy’s Chevelle in the visual as the guitarist directs his rage at him. Herman, Brian Haskell and Katie Sullivan each make cameos.

Watch Billy Strings’ “Leadfoot” video below:

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Tonight, Billy Strings takes the stage at Bryce Jordan Center for the first of two shows on the campus of Penn State University in State College, Pennsylvania. Strings then makes his The Gorge debut in Washington state on August 10 as part of Willie Nelson‘s traveling Outlaw Music Festival Tour and ends his summer trek in California. Free livestreams of all headlining shows are available for nugs.net subscribers.

Scroll below for Billy Strings’ tour dates through the end of 2024 and ticketing info:

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Highway Prayers Tracklist

  1. Leaning on a Travelin’ Song
  2. In the Clear
  3. Escanaba
  4. Gild the Lily
  5. Seven Weeks In County
  6. Stratosphere Blues / I Believe in You
  7. Cabin Song
  8. Don’t Be Calling Me (at 4AM)
  9. Malfunction Junction
  10. Catch and Release
  11. Be Your Man
  12. Gone a Long Time
  13. It Ain’t Before
  14. My Alice
  15. Seney Stretch
  16. MORBUD4ME
  17. Leadfoot
  18. Happy Hollow
  19. The Beginning of the End
  20. Richard Petty
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