Billy Strings Addresses Alleged Groping Incidents in Crowds at His Concerts

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Billy Strings has addressed incidents of alleged groping and sexual assault at this concerts after numerous social media posts from fans addressing the behavior went viral, and specifically about a Billy Strings superfan named James Smiley.

The most high-profile accusation came from a fan with the Instagram name jenny_jah who posted on Wednesday, September 30th,

I was sexually assaulted by James Smiley, the self-assumed ‘mayor’ of the Billy Strings community. He is a pervert, pedophile, and predator. Stop making these people feel comfortable in our communities.

I have been drugged multiple times in the Billy Strings pit. Each time James Smiley was present and would not stop turning around to watch me throughout the show, as if in wait. Women/Girls, Beware! Reference Reddit for countless other victims who have spoken-up about this man but have since been brushed under the rug. Reference the seductive messages sent to 13 year old girls after ‘showing them the ropes’ at a show. Reference the people who have been bullied out of being up front at a concert.

To identify: Smiley is the grey bearded convicted felon who will be walking around venues shirtless, wearing an open robe as if the world is his bedroom. His voice is as harsh as the toes that will be on display. He described his spirit animal to me as the Honry Toad, which about sums it up.

His henchman Jordan Johnson has also been trying to silence the recent accounts of abuse from his X girlfriend and teenage daughter. His daughter is safe and out of the house. His X has refused to take down statements, despite Jordan and “prominent’ community member coercion. Like-minded people stand together.

What is for certain is that James Smiley is the “self-proclaimed mayor of the Billy Strings scene.” He had a podcast (now deleted) that proclaimed as much, and anyone who’s attended Billy Strings shows anywhere in the United States likely has seen Smiley on the very front rail of concerts right in front of the stage, and often shirtless and in a bathrobe. Anger and allegations against Smiley have been swirling for years, including at one point a fellow fan starting a petition to “recall” Smiley as the “mayor” of the Billy Strings scene.

A two-year-old Reddit thread also includes numerous allegations from young women saying they were harassed by Smiley.

Artwork from the James Smiley podcast (now deleted)


The bass player for Billy Strings, Royal Massat, spoke up in the comments of the viral Instagram post, saying, “Thank you for bravely speaking up about this. I am disgusted to hear these accounts of abuse and can only imagine how many of his victims have been silenced by his posse and intimidated by his “stature” in the scene. I hope others with similar experiences are emboldened by your example to speak up as well. I am an ally and will do everything in my power to address this and hopefully restore the sacred and safe space that our shows should be.”

Then on Thursday evening (10/1), Billy Strings also addressed the situation, even if somewhat ambiguously. He said in part,

I usually try to keep my head down, and play guitar, keep this about the music. It’s kind of what I’ve always wanted to do. I never set out to be any authority figure. But I realize as this community grows, my following grows, and this community we’ve all built together, whether I like it or not, I am the leader, and I have a responsibility to try to curate this and try to make this a safe space for everybody.

I’m not going to accept any threatening, dangerous, or harmful behavior of any kind, period. My team and I will do everything in our power to make sure that that’s what happens. I can’t see what happens in the crowd. There’s thousands of people out there. I think this is a community and we all need to work together to make sure this is a safe space. I’ll do my part. You do yours. We can all work together to make sure that if you see something at a show, to say something … I just want people to be able to come together and have a good time without feeling threatened or unsafe.

I’ve walked through the crowd myself and had someone grab my ass … I learned in kindergarten to keep my hands to myself. And I can’t believe this needs to be said so much, but consent is a big thing. I think everyone has the right to come to a concert and feel safe … I’m going to do everything I can to make sure this is a safe place for people to come and have a good time, dance, and listen to music.

Many praised Billy Strings for addressing the situation. A few others said that Strings had not gone far enough, and needed to call out the alleged abusers directly, though doing so could put Strings in the position of slander/defamation if he cannot directly corroborate or prove the allegations. Either way, the allegations are disturbing, though it does appear that James Smiley has likely deleted much of his online presence in the wake of the allegations. It remains to be seen if he’s still welcomed at Billy Strings shows.

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