Marcus King & Billy Strings To Team For ‘King & Strings’ Set At Rooster Walk

Young guitarists Marcus King and Billy Strings will present the debut King & Strings performance at this year’s Rooster Walk Festival. Rooster Walk 10 will take place May 24 – 27 at Pop’s Farm in Martinsville, Virginia with King & Strings set to play on the 25th.

While Marcus and Billy have never met, let alone collaborated, they are each fans of the other’s music. The plan for the set is that an unscripted jam will begin in the bluegrass/acoustic world native to Billy Strings. Billy’s band will back the guitarists and eventually, the music will evolve into something more electric and rocking. Famed drummer Jeff Sipe of the Aquarium Rescue Unit will sit-in for the latter portion of the performance.

“I think that will be the most fun, if we showcase a little bit of both. We’ll get Marcus some on an acoustic and then get me on an electric with Marcus,” said Billy Strings in a statement announcing the set. “We’ll kind of do both of our worlds and make them clash.”

Marcus can’t wait to get it on his explained in a statement, “I think it’s gonna be a hoot man. If I can be frank, I think it’s a great idea, and we’re gonna have a lot of fun with it.” Festival organizer Johnny Buck added, “The word ‘excited’ would be a gross understatement. To think that these two musicians will meet and play together for the very first time at Rooster Walk 10? Man, we’re just honored to host ‘King & Strings,’ and I use that word literally. It’s an honor for Rooster Walk to host this very special collaboration.”

Headliners for this year’s Rooster Walk include The Wood Brothers, JJ Grey & Mofro and Robert Randolph & The Family Band. Tickets are available via the festival’s website.

Watch a video announcement of the set: