Billy Strings Drops Into Shadowgrass Show For Pickin’ Party In Raleigh

Guitarist Billy Strings made a surprise appearance with Shadowgrass on Wednesday night at Raleigh’s Lincoln Theatre. Strings joined the talented string band for the last five songs of their main set during his off day before he resumes his spring tour in Cary, North Carolina this weekend.

Shadowgrass consists of guitarist Kyser George, mandolinist Luke Morris, banjo player Clay Russell, bassist Evan Campfield and fiddler Madison Morris. Billy Strings previously collaborated with Shadowgrass at his Renewal festival in 2023.

Clay Street Unit kicked off last night’s concert in Raleigh and then joined Shadowgrass for the evening’s “Midnight Rider” (Allman Brothers Band) encore. The headliners opened with “Walls” and then delivered a fine cover of the Grateful Dead’s “Mr. Charlie” before working “Pleasantly Aimless” into “There’s A Fork In The Road.” The quintet offered “Like An Anchor” ahead of Strings’ appearance.

Billy Strings emerged with acoustic guitar in hand to huge applause from the Raleigh faithful. Strings added to takes on the traditional “Nine Pound Hammer” and Charlie Daniels’ “Trudy.” Then, the fretboard fireworks flew as Strings and Kyser George traded licks on “Freeborn Man.” Billy shared lead vocal duties with Morris on the Keith Allison cover.

The lengthy guest spot continued with the old bluegrass classic “Long Journey Home,” a song Strings recorded with his father for their ME/AND/DAD album. Billy’s time with Shadowgrass concluded with an extended version of “Reuben’s Train.” The traditional train song has been a staple in Strings’ repertoire for over a decade.

Watch fan-shot video of Shadowgrass with Billy Strings and Clay Street Unit below:

Billy Strings begins a three-night stand in Cary on Friday. Watch all three shows live or on-demand with a nugs.net all access subscription. Shadowgrass and Clay Street Unit continue their spring tour tonight at The Hamilton in Washington D.C.

Setlist

Set: Walls, Mr. Charlie, Pleasantly Aimless > There’s A Fork In The Road, Like An Anchor, Nine Pound Hammer*, Trudy*, Freeborn Man*, Long Journey Home*, Reuben’s Train*

Encore: Midnight Rider**

• * – with Billy Strings
• ** – with Clay Street Unit