Michigan bluegrass revivalist Billy Strings has set an Aug. 28 release date for his new album “So Much for Goodbyes,” his reps announced Tuesday.
The date coincides with the artist’s two-day Ionia Freak Fair festival Aug. 28-29 at the Ionia Fairgrounds in Strings’ hometown. That sold-out event will feature Greensky Bluegrass, Leftover Salmon, Sierra Hull, Lindsay Lou and headlining sets by Strings on both nights.
Strings has also shared the first single from the set, “Burn the Other End.” See the video here.
“So Much for Goodbyes” spans 16 tracks and was produced by legendary record producer T Bone Burnett.
The new album, Strings’ fifth solo set, includes original artwork created by Debra Apostol, Strings’ late mother.
“I made this record to honor my mother,” Strings said in a statement. “To notice and embrace this very significant period of grief in my life and make art from it. To turn my heartbreak into songs while using my guitar as a coping mechanism as I always have. It’s always been there for me to lean on through the hard times, and I figure it always will … until it’s my time to say goodbye.”
The new album is available to pre-order from Strings’ web store and is available in black, vinyl and limited edition picture disc pressings.
Strings performed with Les Claypool last month at Meadow Brook Music Festival, his first live performance since breaking his leg in a skateboarding mishap in April. He’s due to perform his first concert since the accident Thursday on PBS’ “Austin City Limits,” which will be streamed live on the program’s YouTube channel and is scheduled to air later this year as part of the program’s 52nd season.
Strings, 33, also contributed a cover of Roger Alan Wade’s “If You’re Gonna Be Dumb, You Gotta Be Tough” to the recent soundtrack for “Jackass: Best and Last.”
“So Much for Goodbyes” is Strings’ first album since 2024’s “Highway Prayers,” which peaked at No. 22 on the Billboard 200.
agraham@detroitnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Billy Strings shares new song, announces new album ahead of Freak Fair
Reporting by Adam Graham, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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By Adam Graham, The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
