Billy Strings, a two-time Grammy Award winner, from Ionia, confirmed on social media on Sunday, April 19, that he has broken his leg.
Strings shared an X-ray on Facebook and Instagram of his leg showing broken tibia and fibula just above his ankle on Sunday. His Facebook post included his set list for April 18 at John Paul Jones Arena, in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Live For the Music and CVILLE Right Now reported that Strings broke his leg on Saturday while attempting a trick on his skateboard backstage at John Paul Jones Arena. Apparent video of the incident is circulating on social media.
Strings earlier this year announced he will perform Aug. 28-29 at the Ionia Fairgrounds, 317 S. Dexter St., as part of his summer tour Jan. 27, which doesn’t include additional dates in Michigan. Ionia tickets will be available beginning Feb. 13 through billystrings.com.
Born William Lee Apostol, he graduated from Douglas R. Welch High School. He’s now based in Nashville, Tennessee.
Strings has become an acclaimed musician in bluegrass. He’s been nominated for eight Grammy Awards — winning Best Bluegrass Album in 2021 (“Home) and 2025 (“Live Vol. 1”).
In December, Strings performed at NPR’s “Tiny Desk Concert” Series. The performance can be viewed on NPR’s YouTube, with more than 1.4 million views to date.
Strings’ album “Highway Prayers” debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s All-Genre Top Album Sale Chart in 2024 — the first time a bluegrass album has accomplished such a feat in 22 years.
This article originally appeared on Ionia Sentinel-Standard: Michigan native musician Billy Strings breaks leg at Virginia concert
Reporting by Evan Sasiela and Dan Basso, USA TODAY NETWORK / Ionia Sentinel-Standard
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
