Ever wonder how tall is billy strings, the musician known for his dazzling stringed instrument work? You hit search and find mixed answers. One site says just under six feet. Another pegs him at five foot eight.
It feels like trying to use a tape measure on a billboard.
Billy Strings, born William Lee Apostol, fuses bluegrass and jam band styles on his stringed instrument. In this post, we clear up the real numbers on his height and weight. We also share his birthday, home state, and career highlights.
Read on.
Key Takeaways
- Billy Strings stands about 5 ft 8 in tall, per fan measurements and stage photos; no official height record exists.
- He weighs around 165 lbs (150–170 lbs range) and has a medium, fit build with tattoos on his arms, chest, torso, and back.
- Born William Lee Apostol on April 13, 1992, in Lansing, Michigan, he got his stage name “Billy Strings” from his aunt at age five.
- His 2014 debut album Fiddle Tune X led to a No. 3 Billboard bluegrass spot for Tinfoil & Turmoil (2017), a No. 1 for Home (2018), a 2019 Grand Ole Opry slot, a 2020 Grammy nod, and a Live at the Legion release in 2024.
- He plays a Martin D-28, Gibson Hummingbird, Collings MT2 mandolin, Gibson Earl Scruggs banjo, Fender Stratocaster, and Flying V electric guitar.
How Tall is Billy Strings?
Sources disagree on his height. Some reports say he reaches just under six feet. Most estimates put his height at about five feet eight inches. No official record lists his height.
Fans use snapshots, a measurement tool, and simple statistics to get that number. He fits a common range for guitarists.
Celebrity sites share his measurements and personal data. He looks taller on stage with boots. Interviews and photos spark playful talk about his dimensions. A measurement device can confirm the five eight mark.
That figure wins quiet consensus among fans.
Billy Strings’ Weight and Build
Billy Strings’ Weight and Build falls between 150 and 170 pounds. He sports a medium physique, with an athletic build and balanced body type broad enough to move freely. A scale reading and a body mass index concept place him near the mid-160s.
Photos during performance and promotion show a trim torso and muscular arms.
Fans often spot tattoos across chest, torso, arms, and back. Tattoos add to his appearance, turning skin into a moving canvas under stage lights. This blend of muscle and ink fits his onstage persona like a flawless chord.
When and Where Was Billy Strings Born?
His birthdate was April 13, 1992. The capital city of Michigan, Lansing, hosted his first breaths. That city helped him catch the folk music bug.
Guitar in hand, childhood years sent him through small Midwestern towns, chasing acoustic dreams. He landed in Traverse City after high school, where he refined his bluegrass performance.
Billy Strings’ Real Name
His real name is William Lee Apostol, but he rose to fame as Billy Strings. Aunt Mondi gave him the stage name at age five. She spotted a spark as he plucked his guitar and banjo. That tag ties to his folk and bluegrass roots.
He wields this name in concerts, on albums, and in fan chats. It stamps his musician brand as guitarist, performer, singer, artist. It also honors a family story and local heritage.
Billy Strings’ Zodiac Sign
Billy Strings got his zodiac sign Aries. He entered the world on April 13, 1992. Aries ranks as a fire sign, full of wild energy and bold drive. Fans tap into those Aries traits during his concerts.
Astrology fans read his horoscope and look at his astrological chart. They note Mars as his ruling planet. That influence brings passion and grit. They ask about his compatibility with other fire signs.
Where is Billy Strings From?
Strings came from Lansing, Michigan. He hopped between small towns across the state as a child. His Michigan-native parents kept him close to woods and fields, so he calls himself a hillbilly.
He soaked up folk tunes and roots music at local gatherings.
In 2015, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee. He built his career as a bluegrass performer, Americana artist, and guitarist. The town threw him on honky tonk stages, jam sessions, and folk gatherings.
His string instrument work thrived among cheering crowds.
Career Highlights of Billy Strings
He shot to fame from humble jams. Fans know him by his big wins in bluegrass, folk, and acoustic music.
- Debut disc released in 2014, Fiddle Tune X packed 17 tracks, with traditionals and covers.
- Don Julin spotted him at a Michigan town open mic night and became his mentor and picking partner.
- He teamed with his mentor, brandishing guitars, to record 13 tracks for Rock of Ages, including “Dust in a Baggie.”
- Tinfoil & Turmoil hit number three on the Billboard bluegrass charts in 2017, earning praise from HuffPost as one of the top albums that year.
- Home climbed to number one on the Billboard bluegrass charts in 2018 and cemented his folk credentials.
- The Grand Ole Opry hosted him in 2019, where he tore into “Dust in a Baggie” on stage.
- Renewal earned him his first Grammy nomination in 2020, shining a light on his acoustic prowess.
- Live at the Legion dropped on April 7, 2024 from a local American Legion hall in Nashville, giving fans a raw, onstage feel.
The Story Behind the Name “Billy Strings”
Mondi dubbed him Billy Strings after he wowed the family on a six-string at a backyard jam. She joked he wrangled strings like a pro on guitar, mandolin and banjo. William Lee Apostol laughed and embraced the nickname.
He turned it into a brand. Fans now know this bluegrass performer by that catchy tag.
That tag fits a musician who lives and breathes acoustic folk. It captures flair on six-string, lute, open-back instrument. Skills emerged at age six, with songwriting by age fifteen.
He stands out as a songwriter with a string arsenal in tow. Festival crowds cheer Billy Strings, chanting his name like a hymn.
Does Billy Strings Have Tattoos?
Billy Strings displays bold body art and body modification. He sports a large eagle chest piece, a fierce dragon on his lower abdomen and a decorative skull on his torso. A scorpion slinks up his right arm, while a lion head roars on his upper right arm.
Each tattoo carries deep symbolism, and each design reflects his personal expression.
His back canvas shows a woman astride a zebra-like horse, a vivid scene of skin art that merges myth and melody. An ink machine and tattoo tool bring these creations to life. Fans admire his tattoos as living artwork and embrace tattoo culture.
Fun Facts About Billy Strings
His first guitar arrived when he was two.
Tiny fingers churned out chords by four.
- Fans love Fun Facts About Billy Strings that trace back to his first guitar at two years old.
- He lost his biological father to a heroin overdose when he was just two.
- His mom wed Terry Barber, a country and bluegrass guitarist, and served as his first mentor.
- He could strum full chords by four, leaving seasoned players slack jawed.
- He left home at thirteen to chase late night gigs on the open road.
- He calls himself California sober, swapping hard drugs for marijuana and LSD.
- He grew up around meth addiction, and still credits grit to that tough start.
- He has two half brothers, Aaron Apostol and Patrick Lee Apostol, adding rich family stories.
- One sibling, Patrick, hit headlines after a musician’s murder conviction.
- He still winks to bluegrass ghosts during wild improvisations.
Billy Strings’ Favorite Guitars and Instruments
He showcases his gear on every stage. He brings guitars, a mandolin, and banjos to every show.
- Martin D-28: This acoustic guitar gives the guitarist a bright bluegrass tone that he first heard at home when his step-father Terry Barber played Bill Monroe grooves.
- A Gibson Hummingbird: This guitar adds a warm country vibe that recalls Elvis Presley twang and Jerry Martin licks for folk fusion.
- Collings MT2 mandolin: This mandolin lets the musician channel Jim & Jesse harmonies and Grandpa Jones style in each performance.
- The Gibson Earl Scruggs banjo: He picks this banjo to honor Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs in every bluegrass set.
- Fender Stratocaster: This electric axe helps him rock out as a musician with Def Leppard riffs and Led Zeppelin solos.
- One Flying V: This guitar delivers heavy riffs that recall Jimi Hendrix and Black Sabbath energy for live shows.
- Deering Maple Meadow banjo: A custom banjo shines on the Live at the Legion album recorded with Bryan Sutton.
- National Resonator: This folk guitar adds a slide tone that spices up his performances.
Takeaways
Billy Strings stands tall not just in height, but in his craft. Fans feel every bend, slide and pluck in his guitar solos. We watched his bluegrass roots fuel epic jam sessions. The Billboard charts and Grammy nod back up his rising star.
His journey from Michigan capital to Tennessee city sparks hope in many.
Discover the secrets behind Billy Strings’ incredible sound by exploring the guitars and instruments he loves to play.
FAQs
1. What is Billy Strings’ height?
He stands 6 feet 3 inches tall. That puts him well above most.
2. How tall does he look on stage?
At 6 feet 3, he looks like a giant among guitar heroes. He fills the spotlight with ease.
3. Does his height help his guitar play?
His long arms let him reach every fret, like stretching to grab the last cookie. That gives him an edge in every solo.
4. Where can I discover more on his height and career?
Check his official site, read fan blogs, or scan music mags for the latest facts. You will find more stats and fun stories there.







