Billy Strings Debuts ‘I’d Like To Be A Train’ Cover In Indianapolis

Billy Strings unveiled a cover of Larry Sparks’ “I’d Like To Be A Train” during his Friday night concert in Indianapolis. The guitarist and his band delivered the debut in the middle of the second set at TCU Amphitheatre at White River State Park.

Strings, bassist Royal Masat, mandolinist Jarrod Walker, fiddler Alex Hargreaves and banjoist Billy Failing kicked off the two-night stand in Indianapolis with “The Fire On My Tongue,” one of seven songs off 2021’s Renewal to make the setlist on Friday. The opener bled into the instrumental “Bronzeback” before the quintet linked “While I’m Waiting Here” with a “Pyramid Country”/”Ole Slewfoot” sequence that spanned nearly 20 minutes. It was then back to Renewal for “In The Morning Light.”

“Ole Slewfoot” was one of just two covers played as part of Friday’s first set. The other was a take on Greensky Bluegrass’ “Reverend,” which was followed by Renewal standouts “Fire Line” and “Running The Route” to close the frame.

Billy Strings and his bandmates began last night’s second set with a fierce run of “Must Be Seven” and “Thunder.” The latter — a song featuring lyrics penned by Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter set to music written by Billy — was nicely extended and saw Strings tease the Nirvana classic “All Apologies.” More Renewal material came next as “This Old World” and “Hellbender” led into a take on New Grass Revival’s “This Heart Of Mine.” Strings then fronted his mates on their first “I’d Like To Be A Train.” Leroy Drumm and Pete Goble co-wrote the song initially recorded by Larry Sparks & The Lonesome Ramblers in 1987.

The cover debut was followed by “Taking Water” off 2019’s Home and the evening’s final song from Renewal, “Ice Bridges.” Billy and company then romped through The Stanley Brothers’ “Nobody’s Love Is Like Mine” complete with Jarrod Walker on lead vocals. An adventurous “Meet Me At The Creek” that encapsulated The Doors’ “Hyacinth House” concluded the concert.

Stream an audience recording of Friday’s concert taped by Adam Hutson below:

Check out fan-shot video featuring improvisational highlights of night one in Indianapolis:

Setlist (via BillyBase)

Set One: The Fire On My Tongue > Bronzeback, While I’m Waiting Here > Pyramid Country > Ole Slewfoot, In The Morning Light, Reverend, Fire Line > Running The Route

Set Two: Must Be Seven > Thunder [1], This Old World, Hellbender, This Heart Of Mine > I’d Like To Be A Train [2], Taking Water > Ice Bridges, Nobody’s Love Is Like Mine [3], Meet Me At The Creek > Hyacinth House > Meet Me At The Creek

• [1] – All Apologies tease
• [2] – First Time Played (Larry Sparks)
• [3] – Jarrod Walker on lead vocals