Ionia County native Billy Strings wins Grammy Award Sentinel Staff IONIA — An Ionia County native and bluegrass musician has won a Grammy Award. William Apostol, known professionally as Billy Strings, took home the Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album at the 63rd annual event. Apostol’s album, “Home,” was nominated for the award in November. The record marked Apostol’s first Grammy Award nomination and win. “Home” was released in September 2019. The album reached No. 1 on the Heartseekers Albums and Bluegrass Album charts. Apostol, 28, grew up in Muir and graduated from Douglas R. Welch High School in Ionia. He moved to Traverse City to begin his musical career. He now resides in Nashville, Tennessee.