Matthew Dae Smith/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
Grammy award-winning bluegrass musician Billy Strings made a guest appearance Sunday, March 18, 2024, joining former Lansing-based heavy metal/metalcore band Flesh and Blood Robot for their reunion show at the Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids. Strings grew up in Muir in Ionia County and now lives in Nashville, Tennessee.
Generally speaking, Grammy Award-winning bluegrass star Billy Strings is a pretty laid-back guy. However, as one fan learned on Thursday night, there are some lines that you just don’t cross.
Strings called for violence against a fan attending a show Fishers, Indiana after the fan threw an undisclosed item on stage that hit the superstar musician in the head.
“I’m so glad I could make it down here to make up for last time,” Strings said when speaking to the crowd before a video shows the item bouncing off his head. “Oh, what the hell, man? Maybe not! Maybe I shouldn’t be back!
“You know, why the f– would you throw something at me? Is your d— really that small? I was just gettin’ ready to say how much I’m happy to be here, I love you guys, and all this shit, and you throw somethin’, it hits me right in the f—in’ head! Find out who that was and sodomize him, please!
Fans Side With Billy Strings After He Was Hit In Head During Show
While that may seem like a strong reaction, it appears the rest of the audience knew that Strings was being hyperbolic. And according to posts on social media, they also seemed to side with the Lansing, Michigan native.
“He showed restraint. Could tell he was pretty steamed but took a minute. Have seen other artists flip out way worse,” one fan said in reply to an Instagram post showing another angle of the incident.
“Let me say that is not how we do Indiana hospitality up here in the North,” wrote another. “That guy sucks. Amazing show but it did change the whole atmosphere.”
Multiple concertgoers said that Strings was visibly annoyed throughout the rest of the set, and for good reason. This goes without saying, but if you’re going to attend a concert, do not, under any circumstances, throw things at the musicians.