Billy Strings Breaks Leg in Two Places While Skateboarding During Encore Break: ‘I Heard It Snap Over the Screaming Crowd!’

Apr 20, 2026 12:55pm PT Billy Strings Breaks Leg in Two Places While Skateboarding During Encore Break: ‘I Heard It Snap Over the Screaming Crowd!’

The musician wanted to carry on with the tour, seated, a la Dave Grohl, but concedes, 'I'm all messed up on pain killers.'

By Chris Willman

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Chris Willman

Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic

ChrisWillman

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Billy Strings has been forced to postpone immediately upcoming tour dates after breaking his leg, mid-show, during a gig Saturday night in Charlottesville, Va. The accident did not happen on-stage, but rather in the break between the show’s main set and his usual epic encore, as the revved-up star attempted to execute a skateboard stunt backstage before returning to wrap up the concert.

The neo-bluegrass musician took to social media Monday to post photos of himself laid up in a hospital bed, along with multiple X-rays of the nuts and bolts now holding his leg together. He apologized for needing to put off the rest of his April shows, explaining that he planned to soldier on while performing seated, before realizing that plan was impractical, given the seriousness of his injury.

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