Bluegrass star Billy Strings was inducted into the Michigan Country Music Hall of Fame at a ceremony over the weekend, but he did not attend, prompting his father, Terry Barber, to accept the honour on his behalf. Barber, himself already a member of the same Hall of Fame, drove several hours to stand in for his son at the Charlotte Performing Arts Center, where fans had gathered to mark the milestone in the 33-year-old musician's career.

Presenter Donah Hyland told the crowd she had "been crying all day" after learning Strings would not appear, but praised him as a three-time Grammy winner and Entertainer of the Year award recipient. Barber, who introduced his son to bluegrass music early in life, joked he would place the award "right next to mine 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."