Billy Joe Shaver
Willie Nelson, George Strait, Miranda Lambert Salute Billy Joe Shaver on New Album
Some of the top names in country and roots music have joined forces for Live Forever: A Tribute to Billy Joe Shaver, due Nov. 11 from New West Records and Pedernales Records. The album was produced by Charlie Sexton and Freddy Fletcher and is led by Willie Nelson and Lucinda Williams’ cover of Shaver’s “Live Forever.” Shaver, who died at 81 in October 2020, was a figurehead of the “outlaw country” scene and was known as much for his own artistry as for popular versions of his songs covered by Waylon Jennings, Elvis Presley, Kris Kristofferson and Johnny Cash. [embedded content][embedded content] “His influence on the greatest of artists is what inspired this project,” Fletcher writes in the album liner notes. “The album is a testament to his words and their deep impact on wonderful songwri...
Billy Joe Shaver, Outlaw Country Singer, Dies at 81
Billy Joe Shaver, who had solo hits and was known for writing songs like “Honky Tonk Heroes,” has died at the age of 81, SPIN has confirmed. According to SiriusXM, Shaver died of a massive stroke. Born in Corsicana, Texas, on Aug. 16, 1939, Shaver’s catalog featured a number of hits, including “Georgia on a Fast Train,” “Wacko in Waco” and “Live Forever” (which Robert Duvall performed in 2009’s Crazy Heart) His songwriting has been long admired by other artists. He wrote 10 of the 11 songs on Waylon Jennings’ 1973 album Honky Tonk Heroes and his tunes have been recorded by the likes of Willie Nelson, Bobby Bare and Johnny Cash. He was also namechecked by Bob Dylan on his 2009 song, “I Feel a Change Comin’ On.” Shaver was one of the few outlaw country singers w...
