Billy Strings Brings ‘Leaning On A Travelin’ Song’ To ‘Colbert’
Fiddler Jason Carter joined the performance on late-night TV.
By Andy Kahn Nov 21, 2025 • 7:11 am PST
Photo by Scott Kowalchyk/CBS
Billy Strings was the musical guest on last night’s episode of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. The guitarist and his bandmates picked “Leaning On A Travelin’ Song” for the late-night television appearance.
Strings named his latest studio album, Highway Prayers, from the “Leaning On A Travelin’ Song” lyrics. The album is currently among the Best Bluegrass Album nominations for the 2026 Grammy Awards.
Strings and his bandmates, bassist Royal Masat, banjoist Billy Failing, mandolinist Jarrod Walker and fiddler Alex Hargreaves, suited up for the Late Show performance. Jason Carter joined the group at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City, doubling up on fiddle.
Watch Billy Strings bring “Leaning On A Travelin’ Song” to life on The Late Show below:
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