Bluegrass star Billy Strings was inducted into the Michigan Country Music Hall of Fame over the weekend, but did not attend the ceremony himself. His father, Terry Barber, a Hall of Fame member in his own right, stepped in to accept the award on his son's behalf, driving several hours to the Charlotte Performing Arts Center to do so.

Presenter Donah Hyland told the crowd she had been "crying all day" after learning the Grammy winner would not appear, praising his achievements including three Grammy wins and an Entertainer of the Year title. Barber, who introduced his son to bluegrass music, joked he would place the award beside his own on the wall and said he was proud to accept it "for me and my boy that didn't make it." He gave only a brief explanation for his son's absence, saying Strings was "with his family."