The Heart of Billy Joe Shaver

by Blair Lovern

Ms. Pretty Peggy Pepper (aka Mica McNutt) honors Billy Joe Shaver with a fancy Dr Pepper trophy June 10, in recognition of him being 2006 Texas State Musician. Mark Kloster, president of the Dublin Dr Pepper plant, studies his notecards to make sure he doesn't screw up. The preparation worked like a charm and he didn't screw up. The End. Oh, if you take a look you can barely catch the top of a tattoo on Kloster's leg, which is a Dr Pepper bottle in flames, as in "Keeper of the Flame" - making Dr Pepper like a man, with Imperial Freakin' Pure Cane Sugar. None of that pansy corn sweetener that pansies love.

The more I see Billy Joe Shaver these days the more I really like him. It's not as if I didn't like him. The man has been important to country music for decades. He's a gifted songwriter (he's the 2006 Texas State Musician and 2006 Texas Country Music Hall of Fame inductee.) But the deaths of his wife, mother and son between 1999 and 2000, plus his survival of a heart attack in 2001 have changed his music profoundly. I don't know, because I never saw him in his early days, but the joy I see in Billy Joe Shaver onstage today is as honest as I've seen in anyone. His set at W.W. Fairfields back in February was nothing short of dang magical. Most everyone at that show could have been his grandkids, yet they ambushed the stage and sung every word to his songs.

Signing autographs after his show at Dr Pepper's 115th birthday party in Dublin this past Saturday, some kid asked him to sign a Dr Pepper bottle. His mom asked Shaver, "Have you signed many bottles?" And he said, "No, not these. But I've signed a couple beer bottles." The kid said thanks and shook his hand and he and his mom were about to leave when Shaver said, "Wait, is that your mom?" And she turned around and said yes. Then Shaver said, "Well, let me give you a hug, darlin'. Thanks for coming out here today." It wasn't as if he was trying to grope the lady. His thanks was genuine.

I ask you one thing, though: Does the man own only one shirt, one pair of pants and a belt? I don't care, I'm just curious. Anyway, he's going to record a gospel album in Nashville with John Carter Cash, son of you-know-who, which is scheduled to come out in early 2007, I can't wait. Right now Shaver is working on demos in the Waco studio of his guitarist Jeremy Woodall.

Shaver is writing the songs "and they all come from here," Woodall said this past Saturday, holding his hand across his heart. "He's had them inside him for a while. It's about time he's done a record like this."

I introduced myself to Shaver in Dublin and asked if we could talk about the new CD down the road. He said yes and told me a little bit about it, then looked me in the eye and said thanks and shook my hand with both of his. Again, his thanks was genuine.

Here's a little two-song tribute on video to Shaver's son, Eddie. I've seen people rip "Live Forever", I don't know why, it's a great song. I have wondered why it takes Big & Rich to get the country music establishment to swivel its fat neck over to see what's he's been doing lately. But really, who cares? I'm sure many were introduced to Mr. Shaver's music with his most recent record than otherwise would have without a Nash-where? kick in the pants.