A weekend touting the West Michigan bluegrass star started Thursday with a vendors’ market and street jamming, with more to come. Plus, our Michigan Music Showcase kicks off with a Billy classic.
Ionia’s Shakedown Street: Thursday’s scene at the first of several Billy Strings pre-parties this weekend. (Photos/Anna Sink)
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Billy Strings has sparked more than just awe for his finger-picking guitar prowess and trailblazing bluegrass pageantry.
His giving and humble personality, multi-genre-embracing approach, distinctive looks and never-ebbing fondness for his hometown, home state and ultra-devoted fan base has spawned a growing legion of Billy disciples. These “Billy Goats,” Billy merchants, Billy boosters and a loving Billy culture have created a “Billy Economy” of sorts, sprouting in every city where he and his band sow their bluegrass seeds.
So, with a two-day run of shows in his home state this weekend, Ionia rolled out the proverbial red carpet — or call it a psychedelic, hippie-hewn area rug — about nine minutes west of Muir, the hamlet where William Apostol, aka Billy Strings, grew up.
Street Jamming: Part of Thursday’s “Shakedown” (Photo/Anna Sink)
Serving as the first pre-party for Friday and Saturday’s tour stops at Van Andel Arena, the afternoon and early evening “Shakedown at The Paisley Fig” — with vendors, an open-mic and picking sessions on a closed portion of Main Street — served as an amiable, laid-back celebration of everything that Billy Strings has come to mean for his fans, friends and family.
It was about community and homeyness and supporting independent artists and merchants — many of whom have followed Billy Strings on tour in cities across the country.
“Like 50 percent of the reason I go is music, the other 50 percent is the people,” said Eric, a vendor from Wisconsin. “I feel Billy Strings has drawn a certain type of person. It’s just really beautiful.”
Gary, another vendor from Rochester, N.Y., said he was inspired by Billy Strings’ sobriety and has followed him to “just shy” of 200 shows over the years. “Him being sober and stuff helped me get sober,” he said, adding that the fan community is overwhelmingly “positive.”
“Everyone treats each other like family,” said Jeni Matuja, vice president of the non-profit H33ling the Herd, who helped organize the Shakedown with president Jillian Quinlan. “And everybody has stories. They say, ‘Oh yeah, I knew Billy when he was running around in school.’ I think everyone that came is really happy to be a part of it.”
THE FIRST OF SEVERAL WEEKEND PRE-PARTIES FOR BILLY FANS
It all took place outside The Paisley Fig shop co-owned by Billy’s mom, Debra Apostol, who clearly was pleased with those who descended Thursday on Ionia as part of the weekend celebration for her son (who also happened to sit in with Primus at Van Andel Arena on Wednesday as part of his homestand).
Although Billy himself wasn’t there on Thursday, his spirit seemed to pervade the upbeat event.
Deb Apostol: Inside The Paisley Fig. (Photo/Local Spins)
“It looks like a shakedown. It looks like a Billy lot,” Apostol said, chatting at the back of her store. “We need more people like this in the community. We need ’em to stay.”
More pre-party revelry is on tap Friday and Saturday.
“Pickin’ in the Courtyard” at the Courtyard by Marriott in downtown Grand Rapids — from noon to 6 p.m. both days — will feature goods from 27 vendors, live music from Silver Exchange, open-mics and open jams.
And Founders Brewing Co., just a few blocks from the arena, hosts an “Unofficial Billy Strings Pre-Picking in the Garden” at Founders Brewing Co. in Grand Rapids with Billy’s buddy Mark Lavengood performing as part of a trio at 4:30 p.m. Friday (May 30) and King Possum at 4:30 p.m. Saturday (May 31). Details here.
In tribute to “Billy Strings Weekend,” this week’s Local Spins Michigan Music Showcase — airing on WYCE at 11 a.m. Fridays and 5 p.m. Sundays WYCE (88.1 FM) and online at wyce.org, and on Interlochen Public Radio at 7 p.m. Saturdays — kicked off with Billy Strings’ “Don’t Be Calling Me (at 4 AM)” from his “Highway Prayers” album, followed by tracks by other Michigan artists: Larry McCray, Kate Hinote Trio, Phabies, Sean Anthony Sullivan, Tony Halchak, Carbon Decoy, Headband Henny, The Bootstrap Boys, Michigander, Luke Winslow-King, Hannah Laine and May Erlewine.
Scroll down to listen to the full radio show.
PHOTO GALLERY: Shakedown at The Paisley Fig
Photos by Anna Sink and John Sinkevics
VIDEO: Shakedown in Ionia (5/39/25
PODCAST: Local Spins Michigan Music Showcase (5/29/25)
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