Billy Strings to Play American Legion Post 82
There are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to see massive artists playing small venues. Then there is whatever you want to characterize this as, which takes it to an entirely new level.
Billy Strings is known for keeping it real by playing smaller venues upon occasion. Though he’s selling out arenas coast to coast at the moment and sometimes on multiple nights, he’ll still play the Ryman Auditorium and rip off a traditional bluegrass set, and then chase it with a night cap at Robert’s Western World across the alley. Or he’ll play the legendary Georgia Theatre in Athens along with an Atlanta arena date.
But playing Nashville’s legendary American Legion Post 82 is about as “intimate” as one can get. This is what Billy Strings is planning to do on Sunday, April 7th. Announced on Tuesday, Strings will be playing a matinee show at 3 pm, and the a night show at 8 pm, co-starring killer bluegrass guitar player Bryan Sutton.
How do you get tickets? Obviously demand will so outpace supply for this intimate performance, selling tickets at all would be unfeasible. So instead, fans can sign up at billystrings.com/tour for a chance to be chosen at random for tickets. All winning tickets will be will-call only, non-transferable, and no name changes accepted. The request window for tickets closes on Wednesday, March 27 at 11:59 PM Central Time.
For those that don’t know, The American Legion Post 82 at this point has birthed a dozen or so country music careers. It’s the home of the legendary Honky Tonk Tuesday nights, and ground zero for country music’s classic throwback revolution. Jack White discovered Margo Price there, and it’s where Sierra Ferrell first got her major start.
Furthermore, the stage room in the back of the legion hall is not very big at all. Hank Jr. made national headlines when he set up shop in the Hall to promote his blues music album in 2022.
No word on exactly why Strings might be playing a place this small. Perhaps it’s a video shoot or some sort of promotional situation. But either way, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see a once-in-a-lifetime marvel up close and personal.
March 27, 2024 @ 7:42 am
It would be so incredible to be there!
March 27, 2024 @ 7:49 am
I saw a Billy Strings/Bryan Sutton set at Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival back a few years (pre-Covid) where they played a bunch of Doc Watson songs. They played in one of the smaller tents and it was an amazing set. This should be a heck of a show.
March 27, 2024 @ 7:56 am
Did Hank Jr. play at an American Legion about a year ago? Is it the same one and is this going to be some sort annual tradition?
March 27, 2024 @ 7:57 am
Oops, saw it mentioned further down in the article.
March 27, 2024 @ 8:04 am
And Bryan Sutton is no slouch on guitar!
March 28, 2024 @ 8:23 am
This may be the only time you see Billy Strings on stage and he’s not the best guitar player on the stage.
March 27, 2024 @ 8:08 am
That venue is the first place I saw Charley Crockett.
March 27, 2024 @ 8:10 am
Good luck to anyone trying! I signed up but have no expectations of getting a ticket. I’ve never won a raffle or anything in my life. It’d be about a 4.5 hr drive (one-way), but I wouldn’t hesitate for something like this. That being said, I’ll be going to see Wayne Hancock tomorrow. It’s been about 10 years since I last saw him, so at least looking forward to that.
March 27, 2024 @ 8:20 am
BMFS is a national treasure. His success brings me joy.
Sutton is world class player. Saw him with Bela Fleck and he was fabulous.
Lots of vids of them two playing together various times/places/
March 27, 2024 @ 8:32 am
I Love Billy Strings.
Zero American Legions need to be holding “exclusive” ticketed events.
As an Army Veteran, feel that exclusive entry events held at any American Legion, need first to allow Wounded Warriors from any of our Armed Forces branches, first option of attending.
March 27, 2024 @ 8:57 am
What the organizers of American Legion Post 82’s Honky Tonk Tuesdays and other events have done to save and revitalize an important institution that supports our Veterans is beyond inspiring and vital. Though this action, it is also created a community resource for up-and-coming country artist to play and have opportunities in front of appreciative and attentive fans they might otherwise not have. This has played a major part in the effort to save country music.
March 27, 2024 @ 10:14 am
Colie, Keith L. here, Post 336, East Bend, NC
How about Letters From Home? Or other veteran-focused acts? How about music acts that feature veterans. There are lots of very talented vets out there that would love to play an important venue.
I’m one of them, but I’m way out in North Carolina, so I’m really wondering about other vets that are trying to make a go in the music business. I don’t know anything about Billy Strings, if he served, if his daddy served, etc. I do know that all us local guys run up against this obstacle all the time. If Billy wants to show how “real” or “down to earth” or “veteran friendly” he can be then extra accommodations should be made, at the cooperation and convenience of Billy and the venue so that anyone who shows up with a Legion hat (not a ball cap, a uniform hat) can sit and enjoy it, since it’s going to be at The American Legion. Just an idea. Perhaps the vaunted Post 82 might make itself available for veteran musicians from all over looking for an opportunity to play an important venue. I love good music, I do everything I can as a member of my post to support our local vets, I have nothing bad to say about Billy Strings. But this has a slightly unpleasant whiff. Maybe I’m wrong. I hope so.
March 27, 2024 @ 11:18 am
If it wasn’t for the independent musicians of Nashville stepping up to organize events at the American Legion Post 82, it would not exist. That is the whole point of it, and of course Legion members get in free and get primary access to all events. I don’t know for 100% certainty that will be the case for this event. But I have been to will-call events at Post 82 before (Hank Jr., see link to article above), and Legion Post members were there, and allowed all access.
This event is extremely, extremely exceptional, and a one-off. Hence, an article about it, highlighting how exceptional it is. Billy Strings is an arena-level act. To act like he’s kicking a group of Veterans off the stage, and out of the post is to grossly misunderstand what is happening here.
I agree that Veteran-based bands should also have the opportunity to play the post. I don’t see how this one-day event in any way changes that dynamic. On the contrary, it creates a nation buzz for American Legions all across the United States. This is probably one of the reasons Billy Strings is doing this. It’s certainly not for the money.
March 27, 2024 @ 11:10 am
Also, it’s not that every single time there is an anomaly with the “like” counts it involves Di Harris. It’s that EVERY SINGLE TIME there is an anomaly with the like counts it involves Di Harris. I went through great pain to make sure the like buttons were functioning properly and were not being gamed after previous issues. Not going to do that again. I will take FINAL measures, full stop.
March 27, 2024 @ 2:15 pm
Well her husband was an FBI super agent, so maybe her DEEP STATE contacts are helping her rig the vote counts here at SCM.
March 28, 2024 @ 8:26 pm
This is actually a very funny statement.
Have smiled & laughed over it
March 29, 2024 @ 4:14 pm
An anomaly with what “Like” counts?
March 27, 2024 @ 8:41 am
wow, it’s gonna be sweaty in there on the 7th!
March 27, 2024 @ 9:46 am
Anytime you get a chance to see an artist of this caliber in a smaller venue, you do it.
Last year I got to see Cody Jinks for a full band acoustic show at Pappy and Harriet’s out near Joshua Tree and it was amazing.
March 27, 2024 @ 2:37 pm
Wish I could upvote this username more than once. Makes me laugh every time I see it.
March 28, 2024 @ 1:01 am
i like Jinks acoustic renditions much more than the “plugged” ones.
March 27, 2024 @ 11:57 am
Does anyone know the capacity at VFW Post 82?
March 27, 2024 @ 12:18 pm
An old version of the website listed capacity at 282.
March 27, 2024 @ 12:25 pm
The back room where the actual music happens has to be much less than that. You might be able to fit 150-200 people in there. The Post is divided into sort of four rooms, with a long bar in one room, a more open space with a pool table in the front room, as well as another side room. There is also a weird hall with a bathroom, and another long hall leading to the back room. It’s not exactly an efficient use of space.
March 27, 2024 @ 12:43 pm
I agree. The 282 was the total capacity listed for renting the facility. That little room where they have the concerts is something much less than that.
March 27, 2024 @ 4:59 pm
Cool AF. End of post……
March 28, 2024 @ 3:05 pm
I’m told Sierra Ferrell made an unannounced appearance at the Legion Post last Tuesday (19 March), the day before she played the Ryman. A way of saying thank you to the venue where she got her start, and a typically modest and gracious gesture from her.
March 29, 2024 @ 12:41 pm
I missed the deadline for this once in a lifetime opportunity. What a wonderful gift to the community. I hope all those who are able attend recognize the gift they have been given.
What an amazing musician they will be privileged to experience in this historic venue.
Thank you Billy for sharing your gifts with the world.
March 29, 2024 @ 3:38 pm
You will be very impressed if you get to see Billy Strings in person. He is an excellent guitar player & doesn’t hog the stage. You’ll be impressed & ready to go to his next concert. Enjoy.
March 29, 2024 @ 4:05 pm
“Obviously supply will so outpace demand for this intimate performance…”
Isn’t this backward? Demand is definitely outpacing supply!
Regardless, congrats to those who get a chance at this awesome opportunity!
March 29, 2024 @ 7:25 pm
I am in shock! From SC and hit the lottery!!