A Book About Billy Joe Shaver’s Life Is Coming Out

Called "Live Forever: The Songwriting Legacy of Billy Joe Shaver" is an oral history on the life of the late songwriting legend. It's about Shaver’s life and songs as told through his peers, friends, and followers.

The book will feature contributions from Bobby Bare, Rodney Crowell, Ray Benson, Steve Earle, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Dale Watson, James McMurtry, Jessi Colter and others. The book will be released on July 21st.

Billy Joe Shaver was born in Corsicana, Texas, eventually made his home in Waco and  passed away on October 28th, 2020.

Willie Nelson once said "Billy Joe Shaver may be the best songwriter alive today." That's a very powerful statement coming from Willie Nelson whom many consider to be the best!! Many Billy Joe Shaver fans describe his songs as pure poetry. His songs are raw, honest, and so true that people hear the story of their own lives in his music.

Many of Billy Joe's songs have been recorded by artists such as Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, George Jones, Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Patty Loveless, John Anderson, Tom T. Hall, the Allman Brothers, the Oak Ridge Boys, and Tex Ritter to name a few.

Shaver accomplished a lot in his life having written and recorded numerous albums, released successful singles, penned countless hit songs for other artist, played the Grand Ole Opry, was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame. He even served as spiritual advisor to Texas independent gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman. The Americana Music Convention awarded him their Lifetime Achievement Award in Songwriting. These are just some of the well deserved honors and recognitions that Billy Joe Shaver received.

Live Forever: The Songwriting Legacy of Billy Joe Shaver was first announced in 2018, but is now getting published via Texas A&M University Press, John and Robin Dickson Series in Texas Music. The book is now available for pre-order.

For more information, click here.

Get our free mobile app