T Bone Burnett Calls The New Billy Strings Album He Produced Is ‘A Classic’

In February, Billy Strings stoked anticipation for his next studio project when he posted “just made my best album yet” and photos from the studio on Instagram. Now, acclaimed producer T Bone Burnett is adding fuel to that fire.

T Bone Burnett participated in a livestreamed Q&A session promoting the Long Long Road album he produced for Ringo Starr. Burnett confirmed he has finished a record with Strings and didn’t mince words about its quality.

“I’ve just finished a record with Billy Strings that I will say is a classic to everyone here,” Burnett shared. “He’s a genius young musician.”

Billy Strings hinted at a partnership with T Bone Burnett in January by sharing an image from his “notebook” with “T” and a picture of a “bone” next to “Let’s Make A Record” and “get with the boys and nail it down.” The photos from the studio posted in February showed Burnett behind the board.

Burnett previously recruited Strings for guest appearances on Long Load Road and its predecessor, 2025’s Look Up. Ringo Starr’s second guest-filled album in as many years arrives next Friday, April 24.

T Bone Burnett repaid the favor by joining Strings at his “O Billy, Where Art Thou?” Halloween 2025 concert in Baltimore. The show was based on the soundtrack Burnett produced for the Coen brothers’ 2000 film O Brother, Where Art Thou?. Burnett and Strings also participated in a February concert at the Grand Ole Opry celebrating the 25th anniversary of the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack.

Billy Strings recently launched a spring tour and has been rolling out new material. So far, Strings has debuted seven new songs over the course of the run’s first seven shows. It remains to be seen whether the tunes will appear on the eagerly anticipated follow-up to 2024’s Highway Prayers. Stay tuned for more information.

Watch Ringo Starr, T Bone Burnett and Jeff Bridges discuss Long Long Road below (Burnett talks Billy Strings shortly after te 13:30 mark):