Johnson City, Tennessee, based Bill and the Belles will take to the Millwald stage on Sept. 23 at 7:30 p.m. as part of the Apple Atcha Fest set for Sept. 21-23.
Bill and the Belles’ latest album, To Willie From Billy, is a tribute to Willie Nelson, released in honor of the icon turning 90. It is a bold and playful meeting of the stringband’s origins and genre-defying arrangements, and a celebration of Nelson’s songwriting and musical ethos. It is that musical ethos that ties Willie and Billy together: a commitment to timelessness and simplicity, with a good dose of rebellion. To Willie From Billy was recorded in the summer of 2022, and in addition to the core band (Kris Truelsen on guitar, fiddler Kalia Yeagle, banjo player Aidan VanSuetendael, and bassist Andrew Small), Bill and the Belles is joined by Ric Robertson (Sam Grisman Project) on keys and electric guitar, Nick Falk (Hiss Golden Messenger) on drums and percussion, Don Eanes (Morgan Wade) on piano and B3, and John James “JJ” Tourville (the Deslondes) on pedal steel.
