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Billy Strings, the 32-year-old Grammy-winning bluegrass musician, announced the devastating news of his mother Debra Apostal's passing during a live show in Lexington, Kentucky, on Friday, June 20.
Strings had performed a show in his home state of Michigan at the Charlotte Bluegrass Festival on Thursday, June 19, just hours before his mother's passing. His father, Terry Barber, a fellow bluegrass musician, joined him onstage at the festival.
During his emotional announcement in Lexington, Strings shared that he drove through the night after the Michigan show and only got three hours of sleep before being woken up by his wife with the news of his mother's passing. He then walked to a nearby country church, where a kind lady comforted him and prayed with him.
Strings explained that he decided to carry on with the performance in Lexington because that's what his mother would have wanted him to do. He expressed his gratitude to the audience, saying, "She really loved this group of people... You all became some of our best friends, and I really want to thank you for that."
Instead of a moment of silence, Strings asked the audience to make as much noise as possible to celebrate his mother's life. Apostal died in the early morning hours of Friday, June 20, according to reports.
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Our condolences go out to Billy Strings and his family during this difficult time.