Billy Strings prefers to play and drive fast, and he combines both of those pursuits in his high-octane new song and video, “Leadfoot.” The track is the first release from Strings’ forthcoming album, Highway Prayers.
“Leadfoot” puts Strings firmly in the driver’s seat: he plays acoustic guitar, EBow electric guitar, banjo, steel guitar, and bass, and sings about a hot-rodding driver who can’t find the brakes: “This city ain’t your highway/you’re tearing up my town.” Matt Chamberlain, the hard-hitting drummer who’s played for Pearl Jam and Soundgarden, is behind the kit.
Directed by Ryen McPherson, the accompanying video casts Strings (in latex makeup) as a wrinkled old man directing some legit “get off my lawn” energy at the driver of 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle (one of a few muscle cars that Strings owns). Finally, the geezer has had enough and trashes the car and its garage, much to the dismay of the demonic driver, played by Strings’ stage manager Nate Flores. Leftover Salmon’s Vince Herman cameos too.
Highway Prayers, the followup to Strings’ 2022 collaborative album with his father Terry Barber, Me/And/Dad, arrives Sept. 27 via Reprise Records. Strings and Jon Brion produced the album, which consists of 20 songs recorded in Los Angeles and Nashville. Strings’ band, including bassist Royal Masat, mandolinist Jarrod Walker, and fiddler Alex Hargraves, all contribute to the LP, along with guests like Jerry Douglas, Lindsay Lou, and clawhammer banjo picker Victor Furtado.
Strings is perpetually on tour and has shows booked all the way through December, including a trio of New Year’s concerts in New Orleans from Dec. 29 through 31. Earlier this year, he dropped the live album Billy Strings – Live Vol. 1 and will appear on Post Malone’s upcoming country album, F-1 Trillion. Strings joined Malone onstage at Bonnaroo for a pair of songs back in June.
Highway Prayers Track List
1. “Leaning on a Travelin’ Song”
2. “In the Clear”
3. “Escanaba”
4. “Gild the Lily”
5. “Seven Weeks in County”
6. “Stratosphere Blues / I Believe in You”
7. “Cabin Song”
8. “Don’t Be Calling Me (at 4AM)”
9. “Malfunction Junction”
10. “Catch and Release”
11. “Be Your Man”
12. “Gone a Long Time”
13. “It Ain’t Before”
14. “My Alice”
15. “Seney Stretch”
16. “MORBUD4ME”
17. “Leadfoot”
18. “Happy Hollow”
19. “The Beginning of the End”
20. “Richard Petty”