Bluegrass star Billy Strings is hitting pause — and it all started with a backstage moment that went seriously wrong.
The Grammy-winning performer, whose real name is William Apostol, revealed he broke his leg in what he bluntly called a “dumb a**” accident just before the encore of his sold-out show in Charlottesville, Virginia. And believe it or not, it didn’t happen on stage — it happened on a skateboard.
In a candid social media post, Billy shared photos from the hospital showing his leg wrapped in a heavy cast, explaining that the injury came from a skateboarding routine he often messes around with after shows. This time, though, things didn’t go as planned.
“Well, can’t say y’all didn’t warn me about screwing around on my skateboard!!” he joked.
He said he was feeling extra “zazzed up” that night and went for a backside 180 — a move he claims he’s nailed “a million times.” But this time, he landed wrong… and paid the price.
The result? A severe break that required surgery and screws to repair.
Despite the painful setback, Billy kept his sense of humor, giving a shoutout to the team at the University of Virginia hospital, joking that they “[screwed] me all back together” and calling the staff “absolute angels on Earth.”
At first, the musician hoped he could power through and keep performing, but reality set in. He’s now been forced to postpone multiple upcoming tour dates while he focuses on recovery.
“It was a dumb a** mistake and it’s all my fault… I feel like such an idiot,” he admitted.