Billy Strings’ Highway Prayers Becomes First Bluegrass Album to Go No. 1 Since 2002

Billy Strings‘ new album, Highway Prayers, has reached No. 1 on Billboard’s all-genre Top Album Sales chart, marking the first time a bluegrass album has secured the top spot since 2002.

Highway Prayers is Strings’ sixth studio album, and was released on September 27th via Reprise Records. In its first week, it moved 19,000 units (the biggest sales week of Strings’ career so far), and in addition to topping the Top Album Sales and Bluegrass charts, it’s sitting at No. 8 on the Top Country Albums chart, at No. 6 on Americana/Folk Albums, and at No. 22 on the Billboard 200.

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All this serves as confirmation of Strings’ (very deserved) position as the biggest bluegrass star in recent memory. In the past few years, he’s built a loyal following, become a major touring act, and collaborated with the likes of Post Malone, Willie Nelson, Tool, and many more.

The last time the bluegrass genre had a moment in the limelight like this was 22 years ago when the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack became a major hit, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and winning the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Prior to that, the best-selling bluegrass album was the self-titled release from Jerry Garcia’s bluegrass band, Old & In the Way.

Meanwhile, the financial success of Highway Prayers comes at an exciting time in Strings life — earlier this month, his first child was born. The birth caused him to miss his own music festival (leading him to offer refunds), but he seems to be settling nicely into dad life.

Up next, Strings will join Luke Combs, Eric Church, and James Taylor for a benefit show titled “Concert for Carolina,” after which he will hit the road for US tour dates stretching into 2025. Get tickets to his upcoming shows here.