Billy Strings’ three-show hometown run at Nashville, TN’s Bridgestone Arena continued last night. A day after welcoming unexpected guest Edgar Winter for a few songs, Strings brought out a few familiar faces more closely associated with his music yesterday.

Partway through their first set, Strings and his combo invited mandolin player Ronnie McCoury to the stage for a run through a Del McCoury Band tune they have covered in recent years, “Baltimore Johnny.” McCoury remained out for “On and On,” a tune by Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys—the ensemble his father Del first made his name in—as well as Jimmie Skinner’s classic “Doin’ My Time” and the Strings original “Highway Hypnosis.”

Later in the night, near the end of Strings’ second set, cello player Nat Smith also emerged to augment the group on Jeff Austin’s “15 Steps,” a tune Strings has long made his own, and the Highway Prayers cut “Gild the Lily.” Smith has collaborated with Strings both in and out of the studio in recent years, including a memorable night at Nashville’s Ryman in 2024. In addition to the Austin number, Strings paid tribute to a few other architects of the modern jamgrass scene during the night, running through Greensky Bluegrass’ “Reverend” first set and Emmit-Nershi Band’s “New Country Blues” during their his second set.

Strings will close his Bridgestone run this evening.