Original sentence: Early in his career he wrote light-hearted and humorous songs, but by his first releases (1977) on Tomato Records Van Zandt harnessed his talent for dark and bittersweet love songs and ballads like "For the Sake of the Song" and "Tecumseh Valley".For the most part he performed in a few but appreciative small Texas bars.Generally shy and reserved, Van Zant's performances featured a dry humor — an integral part of his songwriting.He continued writing and performing at his own pace through the 1990s until his death in 1997.Influential in the sub-genre referred to as Alternative country, his Texas-grounded impact stretched farther than country.One of his major influences was Texas Blues man Lightnin' Hopkins whose songs were a constant part of his repertoire
Edited sentence: Although generally shy and reserved, his performances featured a dry humor that was an integral part of his songwriting.He continued writing and performing at his own pace through the nineties until his death in 1997.His influences stretched farther than country music but were still deeply rooted in Texas.His output was brilliant, but limited his renown to a few but appreciative small Texas bars.Most of his earliest songs were light-hearted and humorous, but by his first releases on Tomato Records Van Zandt had more seriously harnessed his talent for dark and bittersweet love songs and ballads, like "For the Sake of the Song" and "Tecumseh Valley".Others just know him as the greatest folk artist to have ever lived.Perhaps one of his greatest influences was Texas Blues man Lightnin' Hopkins whose songs were a constant part of his repertoire.Some consider him a pioneer in the sub-genre referred to as Alternative country