Billy Strings likes to play and drive fast, and he combines both goals in his high-octane new song and video, “Leadfoot.” The song is the first release from Strings’ upcoming album, highway prayer.
“Leadfoot” puts Strings firmly in the driver’s seat: He plays acoustic guitar, EBow electric guitar, banjo, steel guitar, and bass, and sings about a speeding car driver who can’t find the brakes: “This city ain’t your highway/You’re tearing my city apart.” Behind the group is Matt Chamberlain, the powerful drummer who’s played for Pearl Jam and Soundgarden.
In the film's accompanying video, directed by Ren McPherson, Stranges (in latex makeup) appears as a wrinkled old man who channels some real “get off my lawn” energy at the driver of a 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle (one of the few muscle cars Stranges owns). Eventually, the old man gets tired of the car and wrecks it, much to the chagrin of the demonic driver, played by Stranges' stage manager Nate Flores. Vince Herman, played by Leftover Salmon, also makes an appearance.
highway prayera follow-up to Strings' 2022 collaborative album with his father Terry Barber, me and my fatherThe album will be released on September 27 via Reprise Records. Strings and Jon Brion produced the album, which consists of 20 songs recorded in Los Angeles and Nashville. Strings' band, including guitarist Royal Masat, mandolinist Jarrod Walker, and fiddler Alex Hargreaves, contribute to the album, along with guests Jerry Douglas, Lindsay Law, and banjoist Victor Furtado.
Strings continues to tour regularly and has shows booked throughout December, including three New Year's Eve concerts in New Orleans from December 29-31. Earlier this year, he released the live album Billy Strings – Live Volume 1 She will appear on Post Malone's upcoming country album, F-1 trillionStrings joined Malone on stage at Bonnaroo for a pair of songs last June.
highway prayer Playlist
1. “Relying on the Travel Song”
2. “in a clear place”
3. “Escanaba”
4. “Gilding the Lily”
5. “Seven Weeks in the District”
6. “Stratosphere Blues / I Believe In You”
7. Cabin Song
8. “Don’t call me (at 4 a.m.)”
9. “Intersection of Holidays”
10. “Catch and Shoot”
11. “Be a man”
12. “He's been gone a long time”
13. “It's never happened before”
14. “Alice”
15. “Sigmoid Stretch”
16. “Morbod for me”
17. “Lead Foot”
18. “Happy Hollow”
19. “The Beginning of the End”
20. Richard Petty
