Billy Joe Shaver - wikipedia Billy Joe Shaver This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. ( April 2009 ) Billy Joe Shaver Billy Joe Shaver at Eddie 's Attic - April 20, 2007 Background information Birth name Billy Joe Shaver ( 1939 - 08 - 16 ) August 16, 1939 ( age 78 ) Corsicana, Texas, United States Genres Country outlaw country honky tonk Occupation ( s ) Singer - songwriter Instruments Acoustic guitar Years active 1973 - present Labels Columbia, Monument Associated acts Lee Clayton Jessi Colter Waylon Jennings Kris Kristofferson Willie Nelson Mickey Newbury Steve Young Johnny Cash Website www.billyjoeshaver.com Billy Joe Shaver ( born August 16, 1939 ) is a Texas country music singer and songwriter. Shaver 's 1973 album Old Five and Dimers Like Me is a classic in the outlaw country genre. Contents 1 Biography 2 Most notable records 3 Shooting in Lorena, Texas 4 Acting 5 Discography 5.1 Studio albums 5.2 Compilation albums 5.3 Live albums 5.4 Singles 5.5 Music videos 6 References 7 External links Biography Shaver was born in Corsicana, Texas, and raised by his mother, Victory Watson Shaver, his father Virgil having left the family before Billy Joe was born. Until he was 12, he spent a great deal of time with his grandmother in Corsicana, Texas so that his mother could work in Waco. He sometimes accompanied his mother to her job at a local nightclub, where he began to be exposed to country music. Shaver 's mother remarried about the time that his grandmother died, so he and his older sister Patricia moved in with their mother and new stepfather. Shaver left school after the eighth grade to help his uncles pick cotton, but occasionally returned to school to play sports. Shaver joined the U.S. Navy on his seventeenth birthday. Upon his discharge, he worked a series of dead - end jobs, including trying to be a rodeo cowboy. About this time, he met and married Brenda Joyce Tindell. They had one son, John Edwin, known as Eddy, who was born in 1962. The two divorced and remarried several times. Shaver took a job at a lumber mill to make ends meet. One day his right hand ( his dominant hand ) became caught in the machinery, and he lost the better part of two fingers and contracted a serious infection. He eventually recovered, and taught himself to play the guitar without those missing fingers. Shaver lost two fingers in a sawmill accident when he was young. Shaver set out to hitchhike to Los Angeles, California. He could not get a ride west, and ended up accompanying a man who dropped him off just outside Memphis, Tennessee. The next ride brought him to Nashville, where he found a job as a songwriter for $50 per week. His work came to the attention of Waylon Jennings, who filled most of his album Honky Tonk Heroes with Shaver 's songs. Other artists, including Elvis Presley and Kris Kristofferson, began to record Shaver 's music. This led to his own record deal. The first few recording companies he signed with soon folded. He was never able to gain widespread recognition as a singer, although he never stopped recording his own music. On his records, he has been accompanied by other major rock and country music musicians like Willie Nelson, Nanci Griffith, Chuck Leavell and Dickey Betts ( of the Allman Brothers ), Charlie Daniels, Flaco Jiménez, and Al Kooper. After losing his wife, Brenda, and his mother to cancer in 1999, Shaver lost his son and longtime guitarist Eddy, who died at age 38 of a heroin overdose on December 31, 2000. Shaver nearly died himself the following year when he had a heart attack on stage during an Independence Day show at Gruene Hall in New Braunfels, Texas. After successful heart surgery, Shaver came back to release Freedom 's Child in 2002. In 1999, Shaver performed at the Grand Ole Opry. In November 2005, he performed on the CMT Outlaws 2005. In 2006, Shaver was inducted in the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame. He later served as spiritual advisor to Texas independent gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman. For his efforts, the Americana Music Convention awarded him their Lifetime Achievement Award in Songwriting. He currently lives in Waco, Texas. Bob Dylan mentioned Shaver in his song `` I Feel a Change Comin ' On '' ( Bob Dylan and Robert Hunter ) on the album, Together Through Life ( 2009 ) - `` I 'm listening to Billy Joe Shaver, And I 'm reading James Joyce ''. Shaver is also the `` hero '' of the song, `` Wish I Could Write Like Billy Joe '' on the album `` Stormy Love '' by Bugs Henderson. Shaver sings the themes to the Adult Swim Television show, Squidbillies. The opening themes, collectively called `` Warrior Man '', are only a stanza long and end with a sotto voce spoken word portion. Most notable Records Shaver 's debut album, Old Five and Dimers Like Me ( 1973 ), contained many songs noted for being performed by other artists such as David Allan Coe and Waylon Jennings. When I Get My Wings ( 1976 ) included `` Aint No God In Mexico '' ( also a hit for Waylon Jennings ). Gypsy Boy ( 1977 ) included `` Honky Tonk Heroes '' and `` You Asked Me To ''. Shaver is also known for his hit `` Live Forever '', co-written by his son Eddy, Robert Duvall performs it in the movie Crazy Heart and it is included in the soundtrack. The song was also performed by The Highwaymen and Joe Ely. Shaver also wrote numerous songs for artists such as Patty Loveless and Willie Nelson. Shaver continued to release records throughout the 1980s and 1990s ; the most notable was the critically acclaimed Tramp On Your Street, released in 1993, which prominently featured the guitar playing of Eddy Shaver. Shaver 's 2007 album country gospel style Everybody 's Brother was Grammy - nominated. Many of the songs are duets with artists such as Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson and Tanya Tucker. Musicians playing on the album included Randy Scruggs, Laura Cash and Marty Stuart. On May 22, 2014, Rolling Stone premiered the single - duet with Willie Nelson `` Hard To Be An Outlaw ''. The album, Long In The Tooth was released on August 5, 2014 by Lightning Rod Records. After a 41 - year career, Long in the Tooth became Billy Joe Shaver 's first album to chart in Billboard 's Top Country Albums, entering the chart at 19. The album also entered the Billboard 200, peaking at 157. Shooting in Lorena, Texas On April 2, 2007, police in Lorena, Texas, issued two arrest warrants for Shaver on charges of aggravated assault and possessing a firearm in a prohibited place. This was in connection with an incident outside a tavern, Papa Joe 's Texas Saloon in Lorena only two days prior, on March 31, in which Shaver shot a man, Billy Bryant Coker, in the face with a handgun. Coker 's injuries, however, were not reported as life - threatening. Witnesses interviewed by police report hearing Shaver say `` where do you want it ? '' and then, after the shot was fired, `` Tell me you are sorry '' and `` No one tells me to shut up. '' Coker told police the attack was unprovoked. Shaver 's attorney declared that Shaver had shot Coker `` in self - defense '' after Coker threatened Shaver with a knife. In an August 2014 NPR interview, Shaver said that he shot Coker because he was `` Such a bully '' and that `` I hit him right between a mother and a fucker. That was the end of that. He dropped his weapons and said, ' I 'm sorry. ' And I said, ' Well, if you had said that inside, there would have been no problem. ' '' After unsuccessfully attempting to surrender to police in Austin, Texas, who were unaware of the warrant, Shaver turned himself in at McLennan County Jail in Waco, Texas on Tuesday, April 3. He was released after an hour on $50,000 bond and gave his scheduled performance at Waterloo Records in Austin that evening, where he reportedly told fans, `` Do n't forget to pray for me, and tell your kids to pray for me, too. '' He was acquitted in a Waco court on April 9, 2010 after testifying that he acted in self - defense. The Texas - based country musician, Dale Watson, wrote a song about the incident titled `` Where Do You Want It ? ''. The song has been recorded by Whitey Morgan and the 78 's and appears on their self - titled sophomore album, released via Bloodshot Records. Acting In 1996, Shaver took a part in the movie The Apostle, playing opposite Robert Duvall. He had additional speaking roles in the Duvall film Secondhand Lions ( 2003 ) and in The Wendell Baker Story ( 2005 ). In 2004, a documentary of his life, A Portrait of Billy Joe was released. The documentary was directed by Luciana Pedraza. In 2006, a documentary of a concert, Billy Joe Shaver - North Carolina 2006 was released on YouTube along with a limited number of DVDs. The documentary was directed by Guy Schwartz, whom Eddie Shaver listed as a musical mentor, and shot at The Stephens Center at University of North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston - Salem, NC. In 2008, he co-starred with Bill Engvall and Billy Ray Cyrus in the made for TV USA Network Movie, Bait Shop. In 2016, he had a cameo in Still the King starring Billy Ray Cyrus. Comedian Norm Macdonald is an avid Shaver fan and has occasionally praised his songwriting on his podcast Norm Macdonald Live. Discography Studio albums Year Album Peak chart positions Label US Country US US Heat US Indie US Christ 1973 Old Five and Dimers Like Me -- -- -- -- -- Monument 1976 When I Get My Wings -- -- -- -- -- Capricorn 1977 Gypsy Boy -- -- -- -- -- 1981 I 'm Just an Old Chunk of Coal ( But I 'm Gonna Be a Diamond Someday ) -- -- -- -- -- Columbia 1982 Billy Joe Shaver -- -- -- -- -- Salt of the Earth -- -- -- -- -- 1993 Tramp on Your Street -- -- -- -- -- Volcano Highway of Life -- -- -- -- -- Justice 1998 Victory -- -- -- -- -- New West 1999 Electric Shaver -- -- -- -- -- The Earth Rolls On -- -- -- -- -- 2002 Freedom 's Child -- -- -- -- -- Compadre 2003 Try and Try Again -- -- -- -- -- Billy and the Kid -- -- -- -- -- 2005 The Real Deal -- -- -- -- -- 2007 Everybody 's Brother -- -- -- -- 50 2014 Long in the Tooth 19 157 23 -- Lightning Rod `` -- '' denotes releases that did not chart Compilation albums Year Album Label 1994 Honky Tonk Heroes Bear Family 1995 Restless Wind : The Legendary Billy Joe Shaver 1973 - 1987 Razor & Tie 2007 Greatest Hits Compadre 2013 The Complete Columbia Recordings Real Gone Music Live albums Year Album Label 1995 Unshaven : Live at Smith 's Olde Bar Volcano 2003 Live from Down Under Sphincter 2005 A Tribute to Billy Joe Shaver : Live Compadre 2007 Storyteller : Live at the Bluebird Sugar Hill 2012 Live at Billy Bob 's Texas Smith Music Group Live from Austin, TX : Austin City Limits New West Singles Year Album Peak chart positions Label US Country CAN Country 1970 `` Chicken on the Ground '' -- -- N / A 1973 `` I Been to Georgia on a Fast Train '' 88 -- Old Five and Dimers Like Me `` Black Rose '' -- -- `` Lately I Been Leanin ' T'ward the Blues '' -- -- N / A 1976 `` America You Are My Woman '' -- -- When I Get My Wings 1977 `` You Asked Me To '' 80 -- Gypsy Boy 1978 `` Billy B Damned '' -- -- 1981 `` Blue Texas Waltz '' -- -- I 'm Just an Old Chunk of Coal ( But I 'm Gonna Be a Diamond Someday ) `` Ragged Old Truck '' -- -- `` When the Word Was Thunderbird '' -- -- 1982 `` Ride Me Down Easy '' -- -- Billy Joe Shaver `` Amtrak ( And Ai n't Coming Back ) '' -- -- `` One Moving Part '' -- -- 1993 `` The Hottest Thing in Town '' -- -- Tramp on Your Street `` Live Forever '' -- 96 1994 `` Georgia On a Fast Train '' -- -- `` Comin ' On Strong '' -- -- Highway of Life 2002 `` Freedom 's Child '' -- -- Freedom 's Child 2007 `` Get Thee Behind Me Satan '' -- -- Everybody 's Brother 2011 `` Wacko from Waco '' -- -- Live at Billy Bob 's Texas `` -- '' denotes releases that did not chart Music videos Year Video Director 1993 `` The Hottest Thing in Town '' Steve Mims `` Live Forever '' Steve Boyle 1994 `` Georgia On a Fast Train '' Chris Rogers `` Comin ' On Strong '' 2002 `` Freedom 's Child '' 2005 `` Live Forever '' Rick Schroder 2007 `` Get Thee Behind Me Satan '' The Brads References ^ Jump up to : Greene, David ( 5 August 2014 ). `` Billy Joe Shaver Writes Country Songs -- And Lives Them, Too ''. NPR Morning Edition. Retrieved 5 August 2014. ^ Jump up to : `` The Christian Life ''. Austinchronicle.com. 2012 - 03 - 23. Retrieved 2013 - 02 - 24. ^ Jump up to : ( 1 ) Archived December 30, 2006, at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ `` Billy Joe Shaver ''. Puremusic.com. Retrieved 2013 - 02 - 24. Jump up ^ Hudak, Joseph ( May 22, 2014 ). `` Hear Willie Nelson and Billy Joe Shaver 's ' Outlaw ' Duet - Premiere ''. Rolling Stone. Wenner Media LLC. Retrieved September 17, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Outlaw Legend Billy Joe Shaver to Release New Album ''. Radio.com. CBS Radio, Inc. May 22, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Billy Joe Shaver 's 41 Year Journey to the Top 20 ''. Music Times. Music Times, LLC. August 22, 2014. Retrieved September 17, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Billy Joe Shaver Charts for the First Time Ever with `` Long In The Tooth '' ``. Saving Country Music. Savingcountrymusic.com. August 15, 2014. Retrieved September 17, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Affidavit '' ( PDF ). Alt.coxnewsweb.com. Retrieved 2013 - 02 - 23. Jump up ^ Arrest Warrant Issued For Billy Joe Shaver Jump up ^ ( 2 ) Archived April 29, 2007, at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ Country Singer Shaver Acquitted in Texas Shooting New York Times ( requires reg. to verify ) Jump up ^ Country Weekly.com published April 14, 2010 by Bob Paxman Archived April 23, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. Billy Joe Shaver Acquitted in Shooting Jump up ^ `` Whitey Morgan and the 78 's ''. Bloodshot Records. Retrieved 2013 - 02 - 24. Jump up ^ Pedraza, Luciana ( 2004 ), Portrait of Billy Joe, Billy Joe Shaver, retrieved 2018 - 01 - 24 Jump up ^ `` CMT : Videos : Shaver : Live Forever ''. Country Music Television. Retrieved September 12, 2011. Jump up ^ `` CMT : Videos : Shaver : Georgia On A Fast Train ''. Country Music Television. Retrieved September 12, 2011. Jump up ^ `` CMT : Videos : Billy Joe Shaver : Live Forever ''. Country Music Television. Retrieved September 12, 2011. Jump up ^ `` CMT : Videos : Billy Joe Shaver : Get Thee Behind Me Satan ''. Country Music Television. Retrieved September 12, 2011. External links Wikiquote has quotations related to : Billy Joe Shaver Official Website Interview on Lone Star Music Interview on Fresh Air ( RealAudio ) At Rolling Stone magazine At Starpulse Interview At Twang Nation Interview on NPR Morning Edition, 5 August, 2014 Awards First None recognized before AMA Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting 2002 Succeeded by John Prine VIAF : 59270864 LCCN : n92105081 ISNI : 0000 0000 5514 7190 GND : 130026743 BNF : cb13899711k ( data ) MusicBrainz : 2af8def8 - db31 - 4998 - 8bd9 - 18fdd76db088 SNAC : w61c5fhx Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Billy_Joe_Shaver&oldid=822114836 '' Categories : American country singers American country singer - songwriters Monument Records artists Columbia Records artists Country musicians from Texas Living people 1939 births Songwriters from Texas American amputees Hidden categories : Webarchive template wayback links BLP articles lacking sources from April 2009 All BLP articles lacking sources Articles with hCards Wikipedia articles with VIAF identifiers Wikipedia articles with LCCN identifiers Wikipedia articles with ISNI identifiers Wikipedia articles with GND identifiers Wikipedia articles with BNF identifiers Wikipedia articles with MusicBrainz identifiers Wikipedia articles with SNAC - ID identifiers Talk Contents About Wikipedia Wikiquote Čeština Deutsch Español Français Bahasa Indonesia Italiano Svenska Edit links This page was last edited on 24 January 2018, at 13 : 42. 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Question: who wrote old five and dimers like me
Answer: Billy Joe Shaver