Billy Strings has suffered a terrible loss. While playing a show in Lexington, Kentucky, on June 20, the bluegrass musician announced the death of his mother, Debra Apostol.
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Speaking to the crowd, Strings revealed that Apostol died hours after he played at the Charlotte Bluegrass Festival June 19.
Strings’ dad, Terry Barber, played onstage with him during the Charlotte festival, Lansing State Journal reported. His mom did not attend the show, according to the outlet.
As for what happened in the hours that followed, Strings told the crowd, “After our set we drove through the night and I finally fell asleep when we got parked here in Lexington, probably about 5:40 this morning or so. I might have got three hours of sleep and I was in a deep sleep.”
Strings was eventually awoken by his wife, Ally Dale, who told him “that my beautiful mother, Debra Apostol, passed away in her sleep.”
“I just put my shoes on and started walking,” he said. “I walked until I saw this little country church. It was like a beacon. I went there and knocked on the door and this kind lady let me in and she stayed with me and prayed with me for a while and eventually gave me a ride back to where I was staying.”
Billy Strings Reveals Why He Played a Show After His Mom’s Death
Strings said that he decided to go through with the performance “because that’s what my mom would have wanted me to do.”
“She really loved this group of people,” he said. “She loved you all so much and for the last couple of years were some of her happiest because of a lot of you folks from here. You all became some of our best friends, and I really want to thank you for that. You all showed her a lot of kindness, whether she was out in the lot and bopping around here at the shows.”
“The reason I decided not to go home and be with my family right now is because I already am. I spent most of today in a daze, and I just want you to know that I’m going to do my best to do tonight’s show,” Strings continued. “And also if you’re just casually coming to tonight’s show and are like, What the f**k is going on right now?’ I’m sorry, but we’re a family here. If you’re going through some s**t, I’m going through it too. Tonight I need you.”
Strings ended his speech with a request for the crowd, asking, “So please, instead of a moment of silence, can you please make as much noise right now for my mom?”
Photo by Tibrina Hobson/CBS via Getty Images
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