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“Going To Have To Kick This Dude In The Pecker” – Billy Strings Addresses Backlash Over Alleged AI T-Shirt Designs
Jan
Billy Strings in Stitch: Fans Fume Over Alleged AI Art on Merch
Billy Strings‘ New Year’s Eve extravaganza wasn’t only lit up by fiery bluegrass jams, but also by a scorching controversy – AI-powered, apparently. Limited edition merch boasting fan-submitted designs got fans seeing red, accusing the bluegrass maestro of ripping off artists by utilizing “AI artwork.”
So, did Strings really turn to silicon for his merch muse? His Instagram video offered a messy, human story. Juggling show prep, he admits taking a backseat on merch design, trusting a submitted design that “looked cool” and fit the theme. “It was a fan’s art,” he explained, “I thought it was a kind thing to do.”
But the cheers soon turned to jeers. “AI theft” and “embarrassing” flooded the comments. Strings investigated, and the plot thickened. The artist promised proof of manual craftsmanship, claiming sketches and a New Orleans alibi. Yet, the promised files remained elusive.
“I’ve also always said,” Strings confessed, “if 500 people say it’s a bluebird, the bird’s probably f**kin’ blue.” Skeptical, he felt “kicked in the pecker” – both by the potential rip-off and the stain on his artistic integrity.
He vows to be more hands-on with future merch, even considering designing himself. And while he’s open to reassessing if proof materializes, for now, he’s battling an uphill battle against accusations and bruised trust.
This episode highlights two things: the fierce passion of merch aficionados and the ever-present challenge for artists navigating the AI art frontier. For Strings, it’s a case of the “dang ol’ AI blues” he hopes to swiftly resolve one stitch at a time.
Event merch will be available for our 3 nights at UNO Lakefront Arena 🃏 See you soon!
Reminder:
We will have an outdoor merch trailer outside the venue near ramp 4, which will open at 4:30pm on 12/29 & 12/30. Early merch on the 31st will open at 5:30pm.MERCH WILL BE 100%… pic.twitter.com/vbgG0hfQ71
— Billy Strings (@BillyStrings) December 29, 2023
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