By Scott Cronick
About a month or so ago, I got a text from one of the bands I book regularly at Atlantic City’s Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall in Atlantic City, which I co-own, about someone called Billy Strings.
“Hey man, where is Billy Strings playing in Atlantic City?”
“Who the hell is Billy Strings?” was my response.
“Go check him out,” he said. “He’s like biggest thing right now. Get this, he’s a bluegrass musician selling out everywhere he goes across the country and around the world. It’s pretty wild.”
So, as advised, I checked out Billy Strings, and man, was I blown away.
A couple of weeks ago, it was announced Strings would play not one, not two, but three nights at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City’s Live at Mark G. Etess Arena Thursday, Feb. 16, through Saturday, Feb. 18.
Yes, this 30-year-old guitar god is capable of selling out three shows in the winter at Hard Rock, including a Thursday show … unheard of for even big headliners who come to Atlantic City.
So, who the hell is Billy Strings? Well, he’s a Grammy Award-winning bluegrass star whose three official albums and various collaborations have single-handedly made bluegrass popular for the first time since … well, has bluegrass ever been popular like this?
The Lansing, Mich., native has seemingly overcome a tough upbringing. His father died of a heroin overdose when he was 2 years old –he learned bluegrass from his “father” Terry Barber, who could only dream of the success his son has accomplished – and his parents became addicted to methamphetamines when he was a pre-teen, leading Strings to leave his family at 13 and then falling into hard drug use himself.
Now sober, Strings has become part Bill Monroe, part Bela Fleck, part Jimmy Page and part Jerry Garcia and has become the talk of the music world. In a few short years, Strings released singles with bluegrass legend Del McCoury and country star Luke Combs, was named one of the Top 10 New Country Artists to Know in 2017, won the International Bluegrass Music Association’s 2016 Momentum Award for Instrumentalist of the Year and entertainer of the year for the past two years, has been praised and shared stages with folks like Dierks Bentley, the Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir, The String Cheese Incident, Widespread Panic and Phish frontman Trey Anastasio, who helped bring Phish fans into the Billy Strings camp who became aware of Strings’ long jams and even longer setlists. Like Phish, Strings routinely breaks his concerts into two long sets with an intermission and can easily play over three hours.
Strings, whose band is as impressive as he is, may be known for his covers as much as his own stuff, which has propelled him into another level as his band’s long jams have evolved into covers of Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath – which his father taught him – the Rolling Stones, Post Malone, Pink Floyd, Phish, Bob Dylan, Pearl Jam, The Monkees, the Allman Brothers, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Jimi Hendrix, Tom Petty and even Cher. He has literally covered hundreds of different artists and seems to be a musical encyclopedia, so every night is a different experience.
When he hits Hard Rock, he will be touring behind “Me/And/Dad,” his latest project with his father that is a collection of traditional, country and bluegrass music from Hank Thompson, A.P. Carter, George Jones and others.
So, here is why you should see Billy Strings now!
Because after this winter tour, Strings will become an arena artist, meaning the next time he comes to Atlantic City, it will likely be in Boardwalk Hall or on the beach … he’s that big and growing, which is insanity for a bluegrass artist.
To see him in a semi-intimate venue like the 5,000-seat Hard Rock Live is about as good as you’re going to do for years going forward, or maybe ever. His upcoming shows at The Met in Philly, as well as other shows in Washington, D.C., Rochester and Uniondale, N.Y., are sold out.
Even if you don’t like bluegrass, he’s the kind of once-in-a-generation musician who can change your mind.
He changed mine.
Billy Strings performs 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, through Saturday, Feb. 18, at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City’s Live at Mark G. Etess Arena. Tickets start at $49.50. Go to Ticketmaster.com
What’s Cooking
Here are some things to look out for on the South Jersey Dining scene that I will likely elaborate more on in the near future:
Both nobu, the acclaimed Japanese concept, and Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen have really transformed Caesars Atlantic City into a world-class destination. Both are stunning venues with amazing food. Ramsay made a surprise appearance last week at a private party, and he said he feels more comfortable in Atlantic City than any other city because of the team’s work ethic. Caesars.com
The Casino Café & Grille took the place of Water Dog at Bally’s Atlantic City. Open for breakfast and lunch daily, word on the street is the pumpkin pancakes and lobster omelette are ridiculously good. BallysAC.com
Sunday Gravy, a new Italian concept, opened in the former Casaldi’s location at Linwood’s Central Square. The buzz is good, and I believe it features the cuisine of a former chef at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa. Call 609-365-8260.
One of my favorite breakfast places in South Jersey- No Reservations in Galloway Township – recently started dinner service Fridays to Sundays. The small, but fun menu, features items like creamy burrata with bruschetta, garlic confit, prosciutto and balsamic; fresh fried chicken tails with spicy Jamaican jerk sauce, grilled lime pineapple salsa and pickled onion; an 8-ounce filet with mushroom gravy; citrus salmon; chicken parm; crab cakes; and a vegan platter with basmati rice, potato vegetable hash and grilled vegan sausage with pesto sauce. They are located in the former Shea’s location at 626 S. New York Road. NoReservationsNJ.com
Shore Diner in Egg Harbor Township proudly welcomed “celebrity chef” Manny Agigian as pastry chef. The finalist on TLC’s “Next Great Baker” with The Cake Boss and the Food Network’s “Save My Bakery,” will be crafting the diner’s awesome fresh-baked goods and even expand what they currently offer. The diner offers cakes, pies and more to take home. Call 609-641-3669 to order. ShoreDiner.com
And, finally, Mochi Ring Donut opened in Linwood’s The Exchange. The chain is cashing in on the nation’s current mochi donut fad. The Korean creation features Korean rice cake (mochi) with more traditional American donut ingredients to make something unique. Flavors include black sesame, brown sugar milk tea, Oreo, Fruity Pebbles or simple glazed and cinnamon options. They don’t come cheap: A dozen is in excess of $30. Mochi Ring Donut is open every day except Sunday. Call 609-464-3083.
Scott Cronick is an award-winning journalist who has written about entertainment, food, news and more in South Jersey for nearly three decades. He hosts a daily radio show – “Off The Press with Scott Cronick” – 4 to 6 p.m. weekdays on Newstalk WOND 1400-AM, 92.3-FM, and WONDRadio.com, and he also co-owns Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall in Atlantic City, while working on various projects, including charitable efforts, throughout the area. He can be reached at scronick@comcast.net.
