Billy Strings Debuts New Song & Jams With Sierra Hull In Chula Vista

Bob Dylan was not the only Outlaw Music Festival performer sprinkling in setlist surprises last night at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre in Chula Vista, California. Billy Strings took the opportunity during his set to debut a new original song and the guitarist brought out fellow Outlaw fest performer Sierra Hull for a lengthy sit-in.

Toward the back half of Strings’ set, the guitarist went solo as his bandmates — banjoist Billy Failing, bassist Royal Masat, mandolinist Jarrod Walker and fiddler Alex Hargreaves — exited the amphitheater’s stage. Strings began the solo portion of the set with a cover of Blaze Foley’s “Cold Cold World.” Strings then introduced the next song he was about to play,

“I’ll try this one here,” Strings said. “This song kept me up all night, it’s fresh from the oven.”

When Strings’ bandmates came back to take their places onstage, mandolinist Sierra Hull was with them. Hull’s guest spot began with “Southern Flavor,” which saw her and Walker exchanging licks on the song by bluegrass mandolin legend Bill Monroe.

Hull remained for a pairing of “Psycho” into “Meet Me At The Creek” that brought Strings’ set to an end.

Strings and Hull were back later in the night to join headliner Willie Nelson during the finale of his performance. The Outlaw Music Festival Tour continues tonight at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.

Watch Strings’ set from last night’s Outlaw Fest show below:

Setlist (via BillyBase)

Set: Sally Goodin, Slow Train, Ruby, Away From The Mire, Be Your Man, Thirst Mutilator [1] > Dust In A Baggie, Cold Cold World [2], 10,000 Miles From A Friend [2],[3], Southern Flavor [4],[5], Psycho [4] > Meet Me At The Creek [4]

Notes:

• [1] “If I Only Had a Brain” tease
• [2] Billy Strings solo
• [3] FTP – Original
• [4] w/ Sierra Hull on mandolin
• [5] Dueling mandolin intro w/ Sierra Hull and Jarrod Walker