Billy Strings Tells Kentucky Crowd His Mother Passed Away: “Gonna Do My Best To Do Tonight’s Show”

Rest in peace.

Last night, Billy Strings, born William Lee Apostol, shared some heartbreaking news with his fans. He lost his mother and was not there with her to say goodbye.

Just 20 hours after Strings returned home to Michigan for the Charlotte Bluegrass Festival on June 19, this mother took her final breath in the morning of June 20. The Lansing State Journal reported that his mother was not attending Thursday’s show.

Strings shared the heartbreaking news with a crowd in Lexington, Kentucky, last night, June 20. He also shared some of the thoughts that went through his head when he found out.

“After our set we drove through the night and I finally fell asleep when we got parked here in Lexington, probably about 5:40 this morning or so. I might have got three hours of sleep and I was in a deep sleep. 

My wife woke me up this morning and told me that my beautiful mother, Debra Apostle, had passed away in her sleep. And I just put my shoes on and started walking. And I walked until I saw an old country church, and it was like a beacon. I went and knocked on the door, and this kind lady let me in, and she stayed with me and prayed with me for a while. And eventually she gave me a ride back to where I was staying.”

Amen… there’s still good people out there.

Billy Strings takes a moment to compose himself before carrying on.

“It was my decision to carry on with tonight’s show because that is what my mom would’ve wanted me to do. She really loved this group of people, she loved y’all so much, and the last couple of years were some of her happiest because a lot of you folks, right here. You all became some of her best friends, and I really want to thank you for that. You all showed her a lot of kindness, whether she was out in the lot and bopping around here at the shows, you know.

The reason I decided not to go home and be with my family right now is because I already am. I spent most of today in a daze, and I just wanted you to know that I’m going to do my best to do tonight’s show. And also if you’re just casually coming to tonight’s show and are like, What the f*** is going on right now?’ I’m sorry, but we’re a family here. And if you’re going through some s***, I’m going through it too, and tonight I need YOU.

So please, instead of a moment of silence, can you please make as much noise right now for my mom?”

The audience then burst into a mighty roar that flooded the venue. Billy took a second to bask in the celebration of his mother that would be held there, and then he brought out his band, telling the crowd that this show would celebrate her life.

The Billy Strings fanbase is a family, to say the least, and for him to acknowledge that is heartwarming during this heartbreaking time. You can tell that Billy is struggling in this moment, but music heals, and he knows that.

Billy String’s father, Terry Barber, joined Strings on stage the night before his mother passed, and has always shared a close relationship with his parents through music.

Billy Strings recalls that they brought him to his first bluegrass festival at the age of 4, and the rest is history, as their son fell in love with the genre.

Our hearts go out to Billy Strings and the entire Apostle family. Rest in peace, Debra.The post Billy Strings Tells Kentucky Crowd His Mother Passed Away: “Gonna Do My Best To Do Tonight’s Show” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.