Billy Strings fans get excited!
Born William Lee Apostol in Lansing, Michigan, Billy grew up with a guitar in his hands, learning traditional bluegrass picking from his stepfather, Terry Barber, before cutting his teeth in high school metal bands. That unique blending of traditional roots precision with high-octane stage presence completely revolutionized the genre. Over the last decade, Billy has gone from playing intimate club dates to filling arenas, racking up three Grammy Awards for Best Bluegrass Album (including Home, Live Vol. 1, and Highway Prayers) alongside multiple IBMA Entertainer of the Year honors. He has collaborated with everyone from Willie Nelson and Post Malone to Ringo Starr, constantly proving that bluegrass has no boundaries.
Following up on his landmark, record-breaking run over the last few years, Billy is releasing his most reflective, deeply personal project yet: his new studio album, So Much For Goodbyes, dropping globally on Friday, August 28th via Reprise Records. Co-produced alongside legendary producer T Bone Burnett, the 16-track album turns grief, memory, and heartbreak into incredible art.
The Early Listening Party: Hear So Much For Goodbyes Before Street Date
We are hosting an official early listening party on Tuesday, August 25th at 6:00 PM, giving our Aggieland community a chance to hear the entire record three full days before its official August 28th release date.
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When: Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at 6:00 PM
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Where: Curious Collections at The Record Garage — 3901 E 29th St, Bryan, TX 77802
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Admission: Free and open to the public (RSVP requested in advance; please note no day-of RSVPs will be accepted)
RSVP HERE!
We will be dimming the store lights and dropping the needle on all 16 tracks—including the lead single "Burn the Other End" (co-written with Greensky Bluegrass's Paul Hoffman) and stunning cuts like "Lucid Daydream," "Mill Town Flood," and "Debra's Waltz."
Exclusive Event Stash & Attendee Goodies
Attending an official independent record store listening party means walking away with some serious event perks. The Reprise team sent over a fantastic stash of official event items for our guests while supplies last:
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Free Event Swag: Just for coming out to listen and hang with the local vinyl community, attendees can score official flower seed packets, event posters, sticker sheets, tote bags, and hats (while supplies last!). More info on these giveaways announcing later!
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In-Store Pre-Orders: Secure your copy of So Much For Goodbyes on vinyl or CD in person during the event so it is ready for you the second release day arrives.
Texas Road Trip Catch-Up
For those keeping track of his Texas tour dates, Billy kicked off the summer in Austin with an exclusive livestream taping at Moody Theater for Season 52 of Austin City Limits, followed by Willie Nelson's 4th of July Picnic. If you caught those blistering live sets, or if you are planning to catch his upcoming Texas arena dates this December in Sugar Land (Smart Financial Centre) and Fort Worth (Dickies Arena), this listening party is your official pit-stop to hear the new studio material first in an intimate room.
Space in our new location is limited, so grab your friends, bring your best energy, and let us experience So Much For Goodbyes together. See you at The Record Garage!