John Stamos Backs Willie Nelson & Billy Strings Debuts New Song At Hollywood Bowl

Willie Nelson's headline set at the Outlaw Music Festival tour stop at the Hollywood Bowl on Friday featured actor/musician John Stamos sitting in on percussion. Billy Strings also rolled out another debut during his performance at the historic Los Angeles venue.

John Stamos is a talented drummer who has embarked on several tours with The Beach Boys dating back to 1985. The Full House star has also performed with B.B. King, John Fogerty, America, Tom Jones and many others over the years.

Willie Nelson closed out the Outlaw Festival on Friday after sets from Sierra Hull, Billy Strings and Bob Dylan. The 92-year-old icon was backed by Stamos and son Micah Nelson along with “Family” band members harmonica player , bassist Kevin Smith, drummer Billy English and guitarist Waylon Payne on a mix of songs from throughout his career.

Nelson loaded the stage for the end of his set with several friends including Sierra Hull, Billy Strings, Billy’s bandmates, rapper on maracas and actor Johnny Nashville. Strings played guitar and the others helped sing a medley of “I’ll Fly Away” and “Will The Circle Be Unbroken.” Then, “I Saw The Light” was the soundtrack as Nelson lef the stage.

Watch Willie Nelson performing at the Hollywood Bowl via the clips below:

Earlier in the show, Billy Strings treated the Hollywood Bowl audience to a 13-song performance. Strings was accompanied by bandmates banjoist Billy Failing, bassist Royal Masat, mandolinist Jarrod Walker and fiddler Alex Hargreaves for his 75-minute set.

The guitarist opened with “California Sober,” the song he recorded with Willie Nelson for a collaborative single released in 2023. Strings went on to fit three songs from his latest album, Highway Prayers, into the setlist: “Malfunction Junction,” “In The Clear” and “Richard Petty.”

One show after debuting “10,000 Miles From A Friend” in Chula Vista, Billy kept the fresh material coming in Los Angeles. Strings unveiled a song entitled “I’m One Of Those” before closing with “Turmoil & Tinfoil.”

Tim O’Brien discussed “I’m One Of Those” in a note of appreciation shared on social media following his guest appearance with Strings at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena in March. Read what Tim O’Brien wrote regarding the song:

A month or so ago, I emailed Billy a song that Jan and l wrote with Pat McLaughlin. He immediately responded and asked if we’d mind if he sang it. He wrote a few more words, and then this week, he tracked the song “I’m One of Those” at the Sound Emporium. After a writing session on Thursday with Larry Keel – another brilliant guitarist on the bluegrass scene – I dropped in at the studio and caught up with Billy Failing, Alex Hargreaves, Jarrod Walker, Royal Masat and their bossman.

Watch Billy Strings’ debut live performance of “I’m One Of Those” via fan-shot video below: