Billy Strings Makes His Tiny Desk Concert Debut: ‘Even Just Standing Here Feels Like a Special Thing’

Billy Strings made his NPR Tiny Desk debut performance on Wednesday (Dec. 10), but for the multi-talented musician, the performance marked the realizing of a long-held dream.

At one point during his set, Strings noted how the set marked a full-circle moment for him. “We kind of, like, grew up on this,” Strings said between songs as he and his band played in the iconic and intimate NPR office space. “I remember back in the day, too, submitting my audition to be on here … It only took like, I don’t know, 12 more years or something.”

Strings was joined by Jarrod Walker on mandolin, Royal Masat on bass, Billy Failing on banjo and Alex Hargreaves on fiddle. He and his bandmates launched their four-song performance with “Red Daisy” from Strings’ 2021 album, Renewal, and also played “My Alice,” “Malfunction Junction” and “Gild the Lily,” all from his 2024 album, Highway Prayers.

“We’ve all watched so many of these and we’ve always wanted to do this,” Strings told the audience. “I’ve seen so many amazing performances that have happened right here. I kind of believe that love and spirit kind of soaks into this environment, so even just standing here feels like a special thing.”

Strings leads Billboard‘s 2025 Year-End Bluegrass Artists chart, and he placed three projects in the top 15 on Billboard’s 2025 Year-End Bluegrass Albums chart. HIs album Highway Prayers leads the list, while his Home project is at No. 10 and Renewal is at No. 15.

Watch Strings’ full Tiny Desk Concert below: