Billy Strings at ExploreAsheville.com Arena (2/23/26) – photo © Corey Johnson-Erday
When Billy Strings played his sold-out, four-day residency at Asheville, NC’s ExploreAsheville.com Arena last week, photographer Corey Johnson-Erday with Tune Ridge Media made it out to the Friday show. He shared this set of photographs from the concert.
The following night, Billy and the band were surprised when the Mayor of Asheville, Esther Manheimer, came out on stage and presented him with the Key to the City.
Following the bit caught on video, Billy spoke further to the crowd, as captured by Whiskey Riff.
“Wow, what an honor. It’s not lost on me to come here and play in the beautiful state of North Carolina and in this beautiful town.
For all you folks, as you know, Doc Watson is one of my favorites. Pretty much my very favorite musician to ever live. So coming here to play music and guitar, I learned how to play guitar by listening to him. And he’s a North Carolinian. So every time I come here it kind of feels like home, you know? So I thank y’all so much for everything. Let’s boogie.”
