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BILLY JOE SHAVER the Texas Legend’S Singular Songs Are Inspired by His Remarkable Life

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BILLY JOE SHAVER the Texas Legend’S Singular Songs Are Inspired by His Remarkable Life ISSUE #37 MMUSICMAG.COM INDIEINDIE SCENE SCENE Jim McGuire BILLY JOE SHAVER The Texas legend’s singular songs are inspired by his remarkable life BILLY JOE SHAVER’S WEATHERED his right hand in an accident. Yet when it and financed by Kris Kristofferson. “I still Texas accent is every bit as world-weary as came to his songwriting, he was focused. don’t know if it shook the world, but it’s one might expect. After all, at 75, he’s lived “I knew I was good,” says Shaver. “I’ve solid,” Shaver says. a full life, from a hardscrabble childhood to been writing since I was 8. When I cut Despite the early triumphs, life personal tragedy to a brush with the law. my fingers off, I fell back on music. I said, challenges continued. Shaver married wife Meanwhile Shaver’s formidable songwriting ‘God, if you help me get through this, I’ll do Brenda three different times and divorced talent has earned respect from loyal fans what I’m supposed to do.’ I knew I could her twice. In 1999, she died of cancer, including Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Elvis make it in music.” months after Shaver lost his mother. The Presley, Willie Nelson and many others. Shaver hitchhiked to California to following year, his son, guitarist Eddy “I found out a long time ago that if seek his fortune, only to end up in Nashville. Shaver, succumbed to a heroin overdose. you’re honest, you have to write about “I tried to go to L.A., but I couldn’t get a The year after, Shaver suffered a heart attack things you know,” says Shaver. “So I ride because I guess I was on the wrong onstage and underwent heart surgery. decided to just be honest, which made it side of the road,” he laughs. “The first guy In 2007, Shaver was accused of necessary to write about the way I felt and that came along set me on the road to shooting a man following a confrontation the things that happened to me.” Nashville. It was just luck. Or maybe it was outside a Texas bar where witnesses Shaver’s latest album, Long in the the will of God.” overheard Shaver saying, “Where do you Tooth, is an example. With songs that Shaver landed a gig as a songwriter want it?” After initially fleeing the scene, he delve into an array of issues, Shaver’s for $50 a week, and in 1973 Waylon turned himself in and was later acquitted. first studio album in six years features Jennings put him on the map when he It led him to write “Wacko from Waco,” friends Willie Nelson, Tony Joe White and recorded Honky Tonk Heroes, comprised recounting the incident. Austin-based Leon Russell. “I’m real satisfied with it,” nearly entirely of Shaver’s tunes. The country artist Dale Watson was inspired to Shaver says. “I wanted the material to be album is still revered as the first example of pen “Where Do You Want It.” fresh right out of the cooker. I wanted this country’s “outlaw movement.” “Waylon was “I’ve had my moments,” reflects album to be special.” great, but it was a double-edged sword,” Shaver, “but I’ve taken it well. I’m proud that Shaver deserves to be pleased. recalls Shaver. “He told Rolling Stone I’ve been able to stand up and carry on. Raised by a single mother, he left school that he would never cut another one of my There’s always someone who has it worse after eighth grade and picked cotton, songs because I was getting all the credit.” than you. I don’t feel like I was picked on joined the Navy at 17, then took a series The album opened doors for Shaver, or kicked down. That’s just the luck of the of low-wage jobs—including working at a allowing him to record his debut set, 1973’s draw. You play the hand you’re dealt.” lumber mill where he lost two fingers on Old Five and Dimers Like Me—produced –Lee Zimmerman 72 M mag 37.indd 72 3/16/15 12:33 AM.
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