We know, we know—you were probably hoping for another mix with overactive 808s and auto-tuned gargles from the artists that shape the music taste of a pro skater… Instead, to cleanse the palate, we went left field for this one and checked out what bluegrass heavyweight Billy Strings has been listening to.

Something most people probably don’t know much about is Billy’s skate past, so when we got the chance to catch up with him amid his hectic touring schedule, we couldn’t help but inquire. Enjoy this one-off Mix/Interview special, download Billy’s mix HERE, and if he’s rolling through your city, do yourself a favor and catch him live.

When did you get into skating?
I probably started skating in like the 4th grade and by 6th grade it had taken over my entire identity. One year for my birthday I finally got to place a CCS order (cash on delivery) for the pink Jamie Thomas smith grind deck with pink wheels and black “Monster” trucks. It even had the little cross in the grip tape to reveal the pink dipped deck underneath. I also had the Circa JT204’s back then. Big fat rubber toe cap. It was sick.

What skate videos did you grow up on?
Misled Youth and Dying to Live were huge for me. Flip’s Sorry too, but later on I would say that Fully Flared, Nothing But The Truth and this little promotional City Skateboards DVD I had that was amazing. Jimmy Cao and Dave Bachinsky had crazy good parts. I think it was called Crime In The City. I used to watch that to get hyped before going out like every day.

JJ Horner did the Turmoil record art right? Did y’all grow up skating together in Michigan?
He did! JJ is a dear friend of mine who I met through Jackson Casey. I grew up with Jackson and so we’ve stayed in touch through the years. I’m a big fan of the work he and JJ did together with Pyramid Country. I always knew Jack would do something with it. He was making skate videos in like 6th grade. Eventually helping to film for Premier [Skate Shop] videos like the Weston Project and things like that, as well as making his own videos with all our friends skating in it. There was one way back called “The Life We Chose”. He and JJ have this ability to make this incredible art that feels from the past and future. I love them dearly.

Are you still skating on tour or is it too much of a liability at this point?
Not gonna lie, I’m pretty scared of eating shit these days, but I can’t help but pop a few back 180’s and if I’m lucky a full cab every once in a while. I cruise around the arenas sometimes during soundcheck and pop little ollies, they always have these big, smooth concrete floors.

Who’s the best THPS player on the tour bus?
I’m the only one that plays skate games on the bus. I grew up playing from THPS 2 and on. Pro Skater 3 was just the one I really got into when it first came out and was really hyped about it. Same thing with Underground. Me and my friend Alex Meyers absolutely crushed that game. It’s got such a good storyline. Fuck Eric Sparrow!

Are there any bluegrass songs that you think would fit well in a video part?
I’ve always thought someone who skates really fast like Omar [Salazar] or [Dennis] Busenitz could shred to some “Foggy Mountain Breakdown”. I’d love to see it.

A picker like yourself you’ve gotta be pretty sick at fingerboarding, no?
I used to be a lot better! I always have a little set up backstage to shred on while we’re waiting to go on stage or whatever. But back in high school I had a multimedia class and we had to make a video so I chose to do a tech deck skate video for my assignment. That meant I got a hall pass and free rein on the entire school during that hour to film. I used to do flip tricks into grinds and slo mo that shit. It was rad.

Anything I didn’t cover about your skate past or otherwise?
Nah man, I’m just grateful to have been around for some of the good years. The CCS mags.. Nike SB had just come out and Paul Rodriguez was a switch super star! Skate. came out and that was badass. I had fakie 5-0’s and switch crooks on lock. Everything was so good back then. I miss the long days at the park just kicking it with the boys.. Running from cops in Grand Rapids trying to skate the marble ledges at Bank One. Now I’m all old and shit… I do just wanna give a couple of my good friends a shout out – Mr. Tyler Franz, and Jake Keenan. I love you boys.

Words, Interview & Mix by: Wilson Lucas
Photo Courtesy of: Jesse Faatz
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