ChopSep 29, 2024

Anyone paying attention to the Billy Strings Renewal drama?

He’s got his annual festival in Colorado this weekend. Billy’s wife went into labor just before showtime last time so his band played without him. But Nugs didn’t webcast it and there was nothing said from any official channels—Nugs, Billy or the festival.

Seems he’s not making it back and an alternative schedule was posted. But zero official word on anything.

Not placing any judgement—just the communication seems odd.

Show threadMattSep 29, 2024

@chopaganda My understanding is that she wasn’t due for another month, which means the baby is early (otherwise why would you have the fest right now?). That means there’s also high risk of complication.

Not trying to be too dramatic here, but there hasn’t been an announcement about birth yet. People need to chill the fuck out. r/billystrings is gross today. Entitled asshats wanting their money back immediately instead of letting an emergency situation play out.

Show threadChopSep 29, 2024
@Mdphunk Totally. And to reiterate, I’m not judging at all. I hope all is ok for Billy and his wife. Just commenting on the (lack of) qcommunication being odd. Like lawyers are dictating it.
Show threadJ.M.Hart (rowjimmy)

@chopaganda @Mdphunk yeah. I understand people would be disappointed that Billy isn’t there. We all know he would be (he was!) there if things were different. But anyone who is legitimately upset that they’re still sitting on a killer bluegrass fest is not clear-headed.

As for Nugs… was it a paid stream or free for subscribers?

Sep 29, 2024 at 1:51amWeb
Show threadChopSep 29, 2024
@rowjimmy @Mdphunk No idea tbh. Just saw lots of complaining when I was digging to see what was up.
Show threadMattSep 29, 2024
@chopaganda @rowjimmy Free stream. They cancelled last night but streamed all day today. Billy’s management put out a statement today, too. People are overreacting.
Show threadMattSep 29, 2024
@chopaganda @rowjimmy But also, this is clearly what happens when Jamgrass is allowed to thrive unencumbered.
Show threadJ.M.Hart (rowjimmy)Sep 29, 2024
@Mdphunk @chopaganda Overreacting?
People?
I am shocked.
Show threadSlackademicSep 29, 2024
@rowjimmy @Mdphunk @chopaganda we’re here at the fest and I’ve been amazed at how chill the crowd was about the pivot. Disappointed to be pseudo curveballed again, esp coming all the way from NYC, but Molly was great (as always) and Billy’s band was heroic in recovering. First night was chaos, but last night they rose up, esp the second set with Molly leading band, plus drums and cello. I’d totally travel with that band.
Show threadJ.M.Hart (rowjimmy)Sep 29, 2024
@shaugn @Mdphunk @chopaganda I mean there’s no shortage of talent on that bill. I’d be bummed too but seems like a swell time to be had.
Show threadSlackademicSep 29, 2024
@rowjimmy @Mdphunk @chopaganda absolutely, failed to give Jerry Douglas a shoutout too. Impressed by the young Mountain Grass Unit folks too. And absolutely right call by Billy in terms of family and his own headspace, after reading the GQ interview
Show threadJ.M.Hart (rowjimmy)Sep 29, 2024
@shaugn @Mdphunk @chopaganda I started listing the killer artists on the bill and gave up. But I absolutely was gonna mention Jerry Douglas.
Show threadTreySep 29, 2024

@rowjimmy @chopaganda @Mdphunk I think it was free for subscribers, but still available for purchase for non-subscribers, so a lot of people bought in, and then Nugs cut the stream and didn’t explain, which is the reason for the gross entitlement all over Reddit today.

For Nugs’ part today, they’ve streamed/are streaming the whole 2nd day, and I think Bonfire sent out an email to fans today.

Show threadTreySep 29, 2024
@rowjimmy @chopaganda @Mdphunk and still, the butthurt over what still seemed to be two pretty fuckin awesome days of music is ludicrous. People need to lighten up
Show threadMr. CompletelySep 29, 2024

@TreyMW @rowjimmy @chopaganda @Mdphunk idk if people are actually complaining about him leaving or just the way it's been handled since. If the latter, that's fair if the comms have been poor. If the former, those are bad human beings who should feel bad about themselves.

What's funny is that a similar convo is happening in mainstream land since Chappell Roan canceled a fest appearance for mental health reasons

Show threadTreySep 29, 2024

@mrcompletely @rowjimmy @chopaganda @Mdphunk I think it was mostly the latter, especially since it sounds like Nugs just canceled the stream last night without an explanation. I did see a voice or two or three chirping something along the lines of “I paid to see/watch Billy, not the rest of his band.”

But save for a few of those parasocial bad apples, most of the anger I saw was directed at Nugs.

Show threadMr. CompletelySep 29, 2024
@TreyMW @rowjimmy @chopaganda @Mdphunk nugs used to be a hilariously amateurish jalopy of a business but in recent years they've been doing a solid job for the most part. Sounds like a fast moving situation but doing the right thing shouldn't have been that hard.