Last night, June 7, bluegrass virtuoso Billy Strings took the stage at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Okla., navigating a locomotive’s worth of an unforgettable performance that left the crowd in awe. With a diverse setlist that included covers from various genres, along with his own original compositions, Strings and his band showcased their immense talent and musical versatility throughout the night.

The show kicked off with an electrifying rendition of “Slow Train,” setting the tone for an evening filled with high-energy performances. The audience was immediately captivated as Strings, and his band launched into “Hide and Seek” before further showcasing his flat picking on “Cabin Song.” The band then seamlessly transitioned into “While I’m Waiting Here,” a fan-favorite that featured impressive instrumental interplay. Strings paid homage to J.J. Cale with a soulful cover of “Ride Me High” before delving into the bluesy groove of “Ain’t Nothing to Me,” originally performed by Johnny Winter.

Keeping with the energy, Strings and his band transitioned into his fan favorite “Fire Line,” which flowed into “Running the Route” and “Running.” The crowd was treated to a heartfelt rendition of “A Robin Built a Nest on Daddy’s Grave,” originally performed by Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys, before he concluded the first with “On the Line,” leaving the audience eagerly anticipating what was to come.

As the second set began, the band launched into “Know It All,” an upbeat and infectious tune, then locked in with his band on a cover of David Grisman’s “Ralphs Banjo Special.” The energy intensified as the band launched into “Crown of Thorns,” originally performed by Mother Love Bone, which melded into another favorite from Strings discography, “Wargasm.” Next Strings performed “Peartree,” a Doc Watson and Gaither Carlton cover that had the audience hooting and hollering.

They then paid tribute to the late Jeff Austin with “Fiddling Around,” delivering a spirited and energetic performance that clearly showed the evolutionary effect their contemporary skills have on some songs. The crowd roared with delight as they launched into “John Deere Tractor,” a Larry Sparks cover that showcased Strings’ impeccable vocal delivery. The display was furthered with “The Fire on My Tongue” before “Doin’ Things Right” Strings celebrated the city and its people with his debut performance of Don Williams’ “Tulsa Time.” The audience sang along with enthusiasm, thoroughly enjoying the band’s fresh take on the classic tune. The band’s virtuosic skills continued to be displayed after the highlight with performances of Utah Phillips’ “Rock Salt and Nails,” “Heartbeat of America,” and tribute to Roy Acuff and His Smoky Mountain Boys with a rousing rendition of “The Streamlined Cannon Ball” before leaving the stage, momentarily, to the cheers and applause of the audience.

For the encore, Strings returned an intimate performance. With just a single microphone, he delivered a soul-stirring rendition of “The Lonesome River,” originally performed by Ralph Stanley and The Clinch Mountain Boys, the traditional “[If Your Hair’s Too Long] (There’s Sin in Your Heart)” and finally Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys’ “Roll On Buddy Roll On.” With the entire band gathered around the single microphone, they harmonized in perfect unison, creating a magical moment that left the audience wanting more.

Strings will continue his summer tour will continue his tour at St. Louis’ Chaifetz Arena on June 9. Learn more about upcoming tour dates here.

Billy Strings
BOK Center – Tulsa, Okla.
June 7, 2023

Set I: Freedom Train Intro Slow Train, Hide and Seek, Cabin Song, While I’m Waiting Here > Ride Me High (J.J. Cale cover), Ain’t Nothing to Me (Johnny Winter cover), Fire Line > Running the Route > Running, A Robin Built a Nest on Daddy’s Grave (Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys cover), On the Line

Set II: Know It All, Ralphs Banjo Special (David Grisman cover), Crown of Thorns (Mother Love Bone cover) > Wargasm, Peartree (Doc Watson and Gaither Carlton cover), Fiddling Around (Jeff Austin cover), John Deere Tractor (Larry Sparks cover), The Fire on My Tongue, Doin’ Things Right > Tulsa Time (Don Williams cover) (First Time Played), Rock Salt and Nails (Utah Phillips cover), Heartbeat of America, The Streamlined Cannon Ball (Roy Acuff and His Smoky Mountain Boys cover)

Enc.: The Lonesome River (Ralph Stanley and The Clinch Mountain Boys cover) (One Mic), If Your Hair’s Too Long (There’s Sin in Your Heart) ([traditional] cover) (One mic), Roll On Buddy Roll On (Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys cover) (One mic)