15 Replies to “Walk on Boy”

  2. I have seen Billy Strings up close multiple times. He owns that guitar. If you get the opportunity to see him live don’t blow it and miss him.

  3. Walk on boy … Billy Strings? Is this a First Nations performer doin “settler” music? Sure sounds like a First Nations name …

    1. It’s his professional nickname as he plays the strings so well. Billy Strings aka William Barber is from Michigan. His name is Anglo-Norman, comes from the occupation: ‘Barber’. There are a lot with that surname in Louisana and The Maritimes. Met some myself. Billy Strings definitely has that Cajun-celtic sound.
      https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Strings

      1. Pardon me. Rather it’s his step father’s name.
        His name is Apostol, so it could be Native American. There is definately the Celtic influence in his music.

        1. Nancy,
          Billy is pure bluegrass roots.
          He played old style bluegrass with his dad, and now is on his own, having been influenced by all kinds of music, from heavy metal to jazz, etc.
          I have heard him talk about it.
          He is still a young lad, destined for greater things.
          In the meantime, he is lightnin’ fast Billy Strings!
          He plays a Martin guitar, just like mine, but way better.

          1. With all due respect, if I may, blue grass it may be, but it is derived from the Celts. I saw an interview with Dolly Parton and read about her roots. The influence was definitely there.

            Actually, sincerely, I’m no music expert, but you know who is, he is a regular here at SDA, his moniker is abtrapper. He too is a musician like yourself.

            If you’re talking Classical music, the expert in that field is B A D Rupertslander.

            (These guys know about me, I can’t even carry a tune. Ha!)

            Check this out:

            https://celticlifeintl.com/the-history-of-bluegrass-music/

          3. I am something of a flat picker and three-finger sy.e picker, and I have been following Billy Strings for the past two to three years on YouTube. His roots lean more towards bluegrass and folk, but since making it big the past year he has branched out. Good to see a nice young guy make it big through the social media

  5. Many years ago in Edmonton a dispute developed in Edmonton between two radio stations. They each accused the other of crossing over into the others gendra. One was licensed to play ‘easy listening’, the other ‘soft rock’ or something, who knows.

    The Canadian government through the CRTC has such control over licensing that they issue a radio license that can only play a certain type of music. I’m not making this up. So, for example if your license says old time country you better not venture too far into the ‘cowboy hat’ country or you will be taken out to the woodshed by the licensing gods.

    Anyway back to the story. The stations sued and the dispute ended up in front of a judge. The arguments were so inane that nobody could resolve them. It was ridiculous. One claimed the Carpenters were easy listening while the other said soft rock…

    The court called in Tommy Banks a local jazz musician of some renown ( who later was appointed to the Canadian Senate) but that is another story. He listened to the arguments and when the judge asked him what he thought he said, “there are only two kinds of music – good and bad.” Case dismissed.

    Music is in a constant state of change. That is how different styles develop. They steal from one another and create something totally new.

    Is it something good? Well that depends on who’s ear is listening.

    1. You describe an interesting bit of Canadian history.
      Here’s a tribute to the Senator found online:
      Watch “Tommy Banks Tribute”
      https://youtu.be/PFDqREAsMNg

      P.S. You’ve also described Big Government. Is the C.R.T.C. still extremely strict about radio content?

      1. NR

        Thanks for this. I remember well when Tommy was appointed to the Senate. Most everyone was surprised that he was a ‘liberal’ because nobody had any idea he was even political. A friend of mine ran into Tom shortly after the appointment and asked him about it. He said he didn’t know he was a liberal either as politics meant very little to him. He was floored when chretien asked him.

        He was a monster player who could have fit seamlessly into the international jazz scene but chose to stay in Edmonton.

        The CRTC is not so strident when it comes to music definition. Back in the day they were awarding fm licenses based on some bureaucrats ‘knowledge’ of music.

        1. You’re very welcome abt. Fun story!
          Unfortunately there’s very little Tommy Banks’ music online so I opted for this little number in honor of the Senator. Enjoy!

          Watch “Erroll Garner plays “Misty”
          https://youtu.be/P_tAU3GM9XI

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