Billy Strings performs in concert during the 40th Farm Aid at Huntington Bank Stadium on September 20, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Getty Images
It may be a while before beloved bluegrass picker Billy Strings returns to the road.
Strings — a three-time Grammy Award-winning artist — broke his leg during a skateboarding accident backstage Saturday night at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, Virginia. The accident took place before he and the band planned to play an encore during the second of two sold-out shows in Charlottesville.
Strings confirmed the break Monday in a social media post that included photos from the hospital. In the post, he said: “Well, can’t say y’all didn’t warn me about screwing around on my skateboard!!”
He continued, “Saturday night I walked off stage right before the encore I was all zazzed up from a really fun show. I grabbed my board and tried to do a trick I’ve done a million times (back 180) and landed awkwardly and broke my leg. I heard it snap over the screaming crowd!! Sounded like a damn 2×4.”
Due to the injury, Strings postponed a handful of remaining spring tour dates. Tickets from postponed dates will be honored at the rescheduled shows, according to Strings’ post on Monday. The new dates can be found below.
Billy Strings Rescheduled 2026 Tour Dates
- April 22, 2026: Charleston Coliseum in Charleston, West Virginia —rescheduled for August. 4, 2026.
- April 24-26, 2026: Fishers Event Center in Fishers, Indiana —
rescheduled for Aug. 6-8, 2026.
Strings returns to the road on July 2, when he’s scheduled to perform a live taping for Austin City Limits at the Moody Theater in Austin, Texas.
A torchbearer for bluegrass music and a sought-after live performer, Strings has built a dedicated following on the road, where he often performs marathon gigs that highlight his guitar-picking proficiency while showcasing a penchant for freewheelin’ jams and a knack for well-timed cover tunes.
In his post to social media, Strings said he received a text message from Dave Grohl after the accident. According to the post, Grohl asked if Strings needed to borrow the throne used during a Foo Fighters tour after the “Everlong” bandleader broke his leg when falling off a stage in 2015.
Strings considered continuing the tour, but ultimately decided to take a few weeks off for recovery.
“I really don’t want to let anybody down, but after some long talks with these doctors, my friends, band and colleagues, my wife etc.. I should probably let this thing heal,” he said. The post continued, “I don’t believe that I could give you guys the show you deserve coming right out of this surgery and these first few days are really important as far as keeping this thing elevated and letting it heal.”
Strings ended the post with an apology and a promise to be back on stage this summer.
“I feel like such an idiot,” he said. “But what are ya gonna do, ya know? At least I didn’t hit my head or break my wrist or something.”
Leave a comment