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Michigan bluegrass revivalist Billy Strings has set an Aug. 28 release date for his new album “So Much for Goodbyes,” his reps announced Tuesday.<\/p>\n The date coincides with the artist’s two-day Ionia Freak Fair festival Aug. 28-29 at the Ionia Fairgrounds in Strings’ hometown. That sold-out event will feature Greensky Bluegrass, Leftover Salmon, Sierra Hull, Lindsay Lou and headlining sets by Strings on both nights.<\/p>\n Strings has also shared the first single from the set, “Burn the Other End.” See the video here<\/a>.<\/p>\n “So Much for Goodbyes” spans 16 tracks and was produced by legendary record producer T Bone Burnett.<\/p>\n The new album, Strings’ fifth solo set, includes original artwork created by Debra Apostol, Strings’ late mother.<\/p>\n “I made this record to honor my mother,” Strings said in a statement. “To notice and embrace this very significant period of grief in my life and make art from it. To turn my heartbreak into songs while using my guitar as a coping mechanism as I always have. It’s always been there for me to lean on through the hard times, and I figure it always will \u2026 until it’s my time to say goodbye.”<\/p>\n The new album is available to pre-order from Strings’ web store<\/a> and is available in black, vinyl and limited edition picture disc pressings.<\/p>\n Strings performed with Les Claypool last month at Meadow Brook Music Festival, his first live performance since breaking his leg in a skateboarding mishap in April. He’s due to perform his first concert since the accident Thursday on PBS’ “Austin City Limits,” which will be streamed live on the program’s YouTube channel<\/a> and is scheduled to air later this year as part of the program’s 52nd season.<\/p>\n
\nThe Michigan bluegrass artist is gearing up for his 2-day hometown festival Aug. 28-29.<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n