Michigan Guitarist Billy Strings and Producer Glenn Brown Win Grammy for 'Home'

Michigan Guitarist Billy Strings and Producer Glenn Brown Win Grammy for ‘Home’

2021-03-15

Billy Strings, "Home" album cover. The album won Best Bluegrass Album at the 2021 Grammy Awards.

Billy Strings, “Home” album cover – Story by Anne Erickson, album art via Rounder Records

Local Music Beat: Michigan’s Billy Strings scores his first Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album

Congratulations are in order for Michigan bluegrass sweetheart Billy Strings, who just notched his first Grammy Award. Strings picked up the Best Bluegrass Album trophy at the 2021 ceremony for his latest release, “Home,” which was released via Rounder Records last year. Okemos, Michigan-based Glenn Brown produced the album. Brown has been nominated for multiple Grammy Awards over the year, and this was his first win.

Strings topped the bluegrass charts last year with “Home” and was a favorite going into the 2021 Grammy Awards. He was named the winner during a special streaming show ahead of Sunday evening’s nationally televised event on CBS, since many of the musical categories are awarded the day of the Grammys, ahead of the nighttime show.

As part of his acceptance speech, Strings, whose real name is William Apostol, thanked his mom and dad, “Home” producer Glenn Brown of East Lansing, his band, his team, his sponsors and the Academy.

“I’m so nervous!” the guitarist said in a video on his Facebook page, reacting to the streaming event announcing him as the winner. “My heart is pounding… Thank you so much, mom and dad. To my band, to my team, Bill Orner, Pat May, Thompson guitars, all my sponsors and Glenn Brown. Thank you to the Academy, and thank you, last but most of all, all the fans who come out to the shows and see us play. Thank you so much.”

Strings was up against a strong roster of talent for Best Bluegrass Album. Other nominees included “Man on Fire” from Danny Barnes, “To Live in Two Worlds, Vol. 1” by Thomm Jutz, “North Carolina Songbook” by Steep Canyon Rangers and “The John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project, Vol. 1” from Various Artists.

In the heavier categories, Body Count took home the 2021 Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance for “Bum-Rush,” and Fiona Apple scored the honors for Best Rock Performance for “Shameika. View the full roster of 2021 Grammy Award winners here.

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Anne Erickson

Meet the expert - Author, writer and editor Anne Erickson is a Detroit-based music reporter and radio host. She has written for the USA Today Network, Consequence.net, Blabbermouth.net, Loudwire.com and many more. Anne holds a master's degree from Michigan State University. Contact Anne at anne@audioinkradio.com.