Kind, stubborn, smart, talented, eight-fingered, much-married, Christian, loyal, no-bullshit Billy Joe Shaver embodied the country outlaw persona—and why not? He helped define the “outlaw” man, and outlaw music.
Shaver wrote most of the songs on Waylon Jennings’ breakout album Honky Tonk Heroes, and his songs were covered by Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Al Kooper, Charlie Daniels, Nanci Griffith and a host of others.
Just a small percentage of his personal trials would qualify anyone for entry in the Outlaw Club: eighth-grade education, lost two fingers in a sawmill, married the same woman three times, lost his only son to an OD on New Year’s eve, shot a man in the face in a bar, had a heart attack onstage, etc. etc. Bob Dylan’s song, “I Feel a Change Comin’ On” includes the lyric “I’m listening to Billy Joe Shaver, And I’m reading James Joyce,” possibly the only time Joyce has been paired with a Texan.
For the full story of Outlaw music, as well as a portrait of Billy Joe Shaver, read Scott Peavler’s cover story in the August/September 2008 issue of Elmore Magazine. Peavler and Shaver enjoyed the bad-boy approach and both had an enviable and unapologetic zest for life. Like Shaver’s beautiful, haunting song “[I’m Going to] Live Forever,” he’ll always be around. And, in more good news, Scott and Billy Joe can chase angels forever.
—Suzanne Cadgène
Billy and I were neighbors for a time here in Nashville. He’d often walk past my door and sometimes stop and talk from time to time. An interesting guy to say the least . When he moved back to Texas I helped him fix his van for the trip. Got a call from him when arrived there.