Billy Joe stopped by my house to visit a few minutes & dropped off a copy that he signed & left a sweet note for my wife & I. We had the pleasure of spending New Year’s Eve with Billy & Eddy around 1994 or 95.
I always loved Norm's brand of humor (plus, he was the only person with the guts and sense of absurdity into calling out OJ on a national platform), now I have even greater respect to know he was a Shaver fan.
After everything Billy Joe went through it’s hard to believe he made it to 81 years old. He could have been a professor at the school of hard knocks. I was hoping to see him one more time but that didn’t happen. He was one of a kind.
I was fortunate enough to have seen BIlly Joe Shaver live on stage in some small venues. I fell I am a better human being for the experience. He had a way of making me feel calm and loved when he spoke and sang his songs. The energy he emitted was very special and real. God Bless Billy Joe Shaver and Thank You for sharing him with us.
Def gonna order, love BJS, I love Billy Joe Shaver too! Even being raised in Alabama and Georgia I was never into outlaw, country, alt, bluegrass until my uncle showed me Chris Knight and I couldn’t deny the talent/soul and finding great artists within till this day. I play alt as well now.
Otis, I lived in Austin from 2004 to 2009. My parents came from Ireland to visit me and I took them to see the capital building. Billy Joe played on the steps outside. I was wearing a "Waylon Rules" tee shirt. He talked with me and my family for at least 20 minutes. Told me some Waylon stories. A great guy. I love his writing and music.
You too... I'm a fan of old country in general. (And no kids the 80's isn't old, yet) But I'm learning alot. And alot about what not to do. To bad I didn't know alittle sooner. Lol. Cheers.
I was at Gruene Hall that night, took my mom to see Billie Joe, they’re about the same age, and he usually prays on stage but that night he seemed REALLY into it. It wasn’t such a big crowd that night for whatever reason, but after he played he greeted everyone that hung around after and told my mom a long story about his wife giving him that belt buckle. No one would have guessed what he was going through that night and when we all read it in the paper later we thought they had the wrong show. That’s who Billie Joe Shaver was, an old faithful work horse that gave absolutely all until there wasn’t anything more to give.
Billy Joe gave me a copy of that book in 2009. Signed it for me, and sat a bar table and talked to me and my best friend for an hour after a show. We are a bunch of nobodies. I think he liked that about us.
Like I’ve said I co-own New Life Record shop in West Nashville. It was Record shop/head shop, and Eddie used to be a fairly regular customer, nice guy kinda quite. Billy Joe came in a few times too. Never really knew them but but glad to have met them. I need to get that book.
I met Billy Joe 3 times. He "Blessed" me with bottled water at the Cactus Cafe in Austin. One of the greatest song writers in any genre of music. Just ordered the book. Thanks Otis.
The last time I saw Billy Joe was 2008 or '09 at a honky tonk called "Bootleggers" just south of Tyler,Tx. At one point Billy asked what we'd like next? I hollered out" Ain't no God in Mexico!" Billy said " Oooohh! That's a good'rn!" and they set off into it. My life was complete. I also feel ya on Gruene Hall. I live about 5 miles away from it and that rickety old shack is made out of magic.
I loved the story where he and Waylon got stiffed by the bar owner after a gig and they snuck back after it closed, Waylon told him he'd left something in the bar and he had to get it, so Waylon jumps back in the truck they take off and Kaboom the bar blew up, that was a good one
I was fortunate enough to have crossed paths with Mr. Shaver at the Belle Star Saloon one Saturday afternoon when I stopped in for a beer. This was in 1982 in Dallas, TX he was sitting on the edge of the stage strumming his guitar, completely alone. We had some conversation mostly small talk but he told me he wrote " I'm just an old chunk of coal" and I knew that tune so the memory never left me. He was playing at Belle Stare that evening. Super humble man, I enjoyed our short time talking and I am STILL enjoying my talk with him. R.I.P.
Thank God for the Screen Actors Guild, and thank God for Billy Joe Shaver. "Please Lord, don't let me die in a motel in Pflugerville" has to be one of the all-time great lines. Great stories, Otis.
I remember the first time i heard billy joe shaver,i was riding with my dad while he was working and oklahoma wind came on and i was automatically a fan
Audrey Auld brought Billy Joe to Australia back in the early 2000s to do a show in Melbourne. The only Audrey show I missed and man am I kicking myself to this day still. Both have passed away, and I have been a great admirer of BJ since the 70s when I heard Old 5 and Dimers by Tom T.
I actually shed a tear when Billy Joe passed. I never met him, or him me. Strange. I think his passing hit me hard because of not only his music and persona, but so many of these cultural icons are passing. Leaving voids not to be replaced in a changing world. A mindset, way of life passing. More concerned about living than worried about dying. I believe it was called America.
Cool man. The fist time I saw Billy Joe was in LA at The Satellite on his 75th birthday, it was pretty incredible. I got to catch him a year later at The Troubadour and that show was the best. He invited a few friends up on stage that night. Dwight Yoakam sang Little Sister and he had Norm MacDonald come up and tell a joke. Billy Joe also tried to get Robert Duvall and Kris Kristofferson up there too, but they both stayed in the balcony. It was a great night, Billy Joe Shaver was magnetic and sounded amazing. It was a real treat knowing Kristofferson and I were at the same show. The Troubadour can be a magical place
Love it. Great stuff. I was an exclusive Rock guy (Zeppelin, Hendrix, ABB, Skynyrd etc etc) until the day I was digging through my dads extensive album collection and I saw this long haired guy with a beard on the cover of this album. He looked rough around the edges to say the least. He looked like the type of guy I could hang out with. Then I made the connection !! This is the narrator or "balladeer" from my childhood favorite "Dukes of Hazzard". The album was called "Ramblin' Man". A year later I owned every Waylon CD money could buy. Later I learned about the "Honky Tonk Heroes" album and I learned about Billy Joe Shaver. So many great songs and stories. RIP Waylon RIP Billy Joe RIP Dad Fan for life. AWESOME STUFF Otis. Thank you
I have an autographed copy of his book, he played Billy Bobs and had autograph session after the show. The line to get his autograph was long and slow cause Billy loved talking to his fans so much. Man, I miss Billy, what a great man and a great songwriter!
Oh god don’t let me die in a hotel room in flugerville, that’s a classic B.J.S. One their. Otis, Thanks for this segment today. I sure do miss old Waylon & Billy. End of an era for sure. I started my morning today with my rare copy of the complete Waylon live from 1974. Hard to fathom both these outlaws have moved on to the big stage. Thanks again for the share Otis, it made my day!
Billy Joe was also in "Secondhand Lions" with the great Mr. Duvall... one of my favorite movies! Robert Duvall reminds me so much of my ex (de facto) father-in-law.
I'd liked seeing the great actor Robert Duval in movies, but feel in love with him and how great he was after seeing three Apostle! In it he not only looked like my dad, but they had so many similarities, that the movie could've been the story of my dads life (except the womanizing &drinking). Dad raised thru the depression, married mom and had a large family, 11 kids. After helping his brother, a pastor, Dad felt called to own up a little country church that had been closed for many years. I watched in the movie as they repaired, cleaned and painted, just like Dad fixed up that little church. Abs all my childhood, Dad would make several trips to church to bring his own family as well as other families and lots of kids to Sunday School. He always bought them treats at the store on the way home. He loved ppl, never knew a stranger, would talk to anyone, invited ppl to church wherever he went and really loved kids and he'd do anything to help others! In the preaching scenes, Duval sounded just like Daddy! Strangely, Duval lives on a big farm at Paris Va,not far from us and opened a little restaurant "Rail Stop" in The Plains. My sister& I took Dad to eat brunch 1 day, hoping to see Mr Duval, but sadly he was out of town. He's a great man! It's interesting to find out Billy Joe Shaver was his friend!
Love the book loved Billy Joe. I am glad I had the privilege to see Billy Joe Shaver play with Eddy on guitar what a show. I had the privilege of in partnership with a friend booking him on a show in 2007 at the Leon Springs Dancehall in San Antonio and before the show we went across the street to the BBQ place for dinner and Billy Joe visited with my friend and I and insisted on paying for dinner. A seriously gifted soul and truly a nice man. RIP maestro!!!
Thanks for sharing the stories and the book info! Billy Joe was my second cousin and yeah, if you were around him enough you can definitely still hear his voice writing those words.
Billy Joe, the real deal. A sweet man, great song writer, and a great human being with many of the faults that make his music so memorable. A lot of country artists sing about the troubles and tribulations that make up the narration of so much country music, but Billy Joe lived it, and that is why his songs are so real, so special, and so endearing. A man with many faults, many demons, and so much natural talent. Your many fans miss you, old friend, and will not forget you.
Saw Billy Joe open for Rev. Horton Heat in Cameron Park in Waco several years back. Was an amazing show. Got to meet Billy after and shake his hand. I'll always have a heavy dose of respect for him and consider him a hometown hero. Definitely will pick up the book.
I was born in 1970 so I was around 7 or 8 years old and my mom took me to see Waylon in Shreveport Louisiana at the old Hirsch coleseum. It was amazing. I tell people that I haven't been the same ever since. Lol it was my introduction to live music. Waylon was King
In the history of American music, Billy Joe Shaver deserves to be in the pantheon of the stars. I am a very, very latecomer to the appreciation of his gifts, and of the genre he worked in. But somehow country music’s gotten a hold on me, thank you Otis and Kenny Vaughn for being ambassadors to me. Billy Joe Shaver should be in the same conversation as Cole Porter and his peers as a songwriter. His command of language is staggering. Simple sophistication. Mesmerizing. I could go on, but just Thank you.
Tell me about your first Billy Joe Shaver gig! Where was the venue and what was it like? I saw him quite a few times over the years and most of the shows were in Austin. Lets share our memories of seeing Billy Joe and remember the good times.
Only had the pleasure of seeing him once. Exit/in in Nashville. Most of the show was the honky tonk masterpiece I dreamed of. The last few songs turned into an old fashioned tent revival. Back in Illinois the next morning found out my grandmother had passed, Still believe he sang her home.Thank you Billy Joe and Thank you Otis.
I saw BJS in Seattle at their annual Bumbershoot Festival. Missed part of his set because Steve Earle was playing a solo set at the same time at another stage, so I split the difference between their sets. The folks who scheduled that festival must not have been country music fans or they wouldn't have double booked that time.
I appreciate your stories , anyone with any respect at all didn't think anything at all about the hammering in the background. Thank you for the uploads of all your stories they are very entertaining.
I have always been fascinated with Billy Joe Shaver's life as a drinking, hell raising singer song writer. I love every song he wrote. His life was the perfect example of country music. I purchased the album "Shaver" with Eddy playing guitar and listened to that cassette until I wore it out. All the songs were amazingly good. I love the line in "Georgia on a Fast Train" that said "I got a good Christian raisin; and an eight grade education, aint no need in y'all a treatin' me this-away". Brilliant line! Otis, I just stumbled across your vids and really like your stuff. Now subbed!
Billy Joe was my favorite Outlawcountry singer. I got to meet him before a show at the Blue Note and he took the crowd to church with his Texas 3 piece band !! The best concert I ever seen.
I had heard Billy Joe Shaver songs before I ever heard him do them. When I first heard him I thought it was just wrong to listen to someone else do them. "Old Five and Dimers" and "RIde me Down Easy" just let you know the real Billy Joe Shaver I think I listened to this when you first put it out, it may have been the first one of your posts I watched and I watched it again tonight. Billy Joe Shaver is one of those types who were common during his life, I worked construction and before I retired all of us about my age agreed that when we were first starting in the late 60s there were real characters out on the jobs, no matter where you were and they are not tolerated at all now days. A great job of telling the story, you can tell that because I listened all the way through both times.
Hey brother love listening and I'm 50 my grandmother's record player and records changed my life....the family were truck drivers so yeah keep it be safe ....move away your standing to close to the flame
This one hits home, I once lived at the north end of San Antonio, and in them days 93'I thought nothing of riding the bike to Grunne ,sit by the quadaloopa river, have a few Shinner's at the Hall..what a place, man I'd take a gig there, the back wall of the stage was covered in trail dust, and the artist signed there names in with thier finger, names like, Willie,Leoon ,Arlo...and I hope Billy Joe, thanks for stirring that wonderful memory .
I can't tell you how much I enjoy this channel. Wonderfully colorful stories being told by Otis Gibbs , with his calming , southing voice, is just the best!
Otis this video is outstanding. Ok I'm going to watch the Waylon and Billy Joe Shaver episodes of Tales from the Tour Bus for the 37th time now thanks to this video. Rock On brother
Honky Tonk Heroes has been an important record for me ever since childhood. I love what Waylon did for his songs(though if I ever cover Black Rose, my version would be closer to Billy Joe's).
I absolutly love you sharing your life, and all the ppl that most folks are fans of. You tell them as real as it gets. Thanks so much my friend much love
Billy Joe was an American original. He was what he so humbly and not so humbly claimed to be, including, arguably, the greatest songwriter who ever lived.
Otis Gibbs makes some good music. The Darker Side of Me is classic. Really appreciate this channel and his stories for us outside that world. Beautiful stuff!
No worries, Sir. All good. You are a Good Man and an even better Human Being. There's a difference but you carry the gold of both. Really appreciate what you do and the art you create. Music history has been a hobby of mine since childhood. I play nothing but respect all who try. Your music is really intelligent stuff. Life and feelings are reached. This is a great thing!
Otis that was some profound story telling. Fact is stranger than fiction! It's amazing how Billy Joe survived that whole ordeal and few of us, if any, would have ever heard it if you hadn't related it to us here on this forum. A thousand thanks to you.
I saw Billy Joe and band loading a van outside a rehearsal space in Austin; I was too shy to speak to him or afraid perhaps. I always wish I had sucked it up. He was awesome.
Thanks Otis, for keeping it real, paying it forward👍 Thankfully, I got see him at a great, local folk festival...a beautiful summer's day, at an Alberta prairie river valley, intimate, small stage...sitting on the grass. So perfect for this kind of rootsy, talent. A similar deal with Kinky, catching him in a modest, subterranean room of a seedy, big city hotel.
Thank you Otis for this. Yes a great book from a great man. This story was the first of many meetings over the years with Billy Joe. I first met Billy Joe and Eddy in a small venue outside West Chester, Pa called Rafters right after the Tramp On Your Street cd was released. I brought it with me in the hopes I’d get to meet him and have him autograph it. Well turns out I did meet him and after a brief chat asked him to autograph the CD itself which had a nice picture of him on it. He looked at me with that aw shucks look of his and said “won’t it ruin it and not play no more?” I replied no it won’t ruin it but if it don’t play I’ll just buy another one to listen to. He then wrote across it “ Bless You Bob Your Friend Billy Joe”. Wish I could show you a picture of that. It’s been framed and hanging on my wall ever since. You can bet I bought another to play. BTW... that show that night was so hot Rafters burnt to the ground about 2 weeks later. I assume from the heat from the show that night. Someday I share an even better story from another meeting so you’ll have to do another video on my personal favorite BJS even more so than Waylon who I idolized and have met a few times. RIP my friend Billy Joe Shaver. God I miss him!
Great stories Otis, Billy Jo was a underrated writer who wrote some great songs.my personal favourite is Live Forever. R.I.P Billy Jo. Keep the stories coming Otis, love them!
Thanks for providing this educational resource about the great Country Music legends, as your insight and story telling make my appreciation for the music grow ten fold.
One of my favorite song smiths!! When i saw him in my home town he showed us his bottle of Evian and told us it´s naive spelled back wards, and that what you are if you think thats spring water!
Thanks Otis. I got my retro Billy Joe hoodie last week. Wearing it daily. I saw Billy Joe in November, 2012 at the Museum Club here in so-called Flagstaff, AZ. Many Country stars played there over the decades. It closed just after New Year's. Pete Sands, who plays a bunch of Waylon / Billy Joe and is apparently a friend of Shooter's told me that when Waylon was having tough financial times, he was welcome to and played on the Tribal Lands alot. A couple years back, driving back from Tuba City, on the radio is Waylon's song Common People. Seeing Billy Joe at "the Zoo" was a blast. A bunch of crazies, staff from the Grand Canyon were there. The lady with the shirt: "Fuck y'all I'm from Texas". We had a blast. RIP BJS.
Always a good time listening to you share the stories of our Heroes! Billy Joe Shaver will always be in hearts of our family. HIs photo watches over me in my shop/studio. The book is great! Stay well & Happy Otis, best to you & yours.
Before we had newspapers , we had storytellers .... I really enjoy how you tell it and of course the content ... life really is a box of chocolates !!!!!
On your last moments before your imminent death and if you feel ready and at peace, you have gained all the riches anyone could ever have. I too have three destroyed Lumbar discs, but skipped the surgery when I read the research and talked to people who had it.
@@otisgibbs Yes indeed, metal plates and screws will not even repair discs to full funtion; a well read MRI is needed to view how much scar tissue is present and the time related to its presence. My injury was from 50 years of labor and not a specific injury.
7:18 - Truer words have never been spoken. Shawn Lane, arguably the greatest electric guitar player to ever touch the instrument, died at 40 years old from a fairly treatable respiratory illness that progressed and became terminal because he didn’t have insurance. The man was a legitimate genius (not a word I use lightly) and he should still be creating and sharing his gift with the world. Thank God Billy Joe was able to get that SAG card.
I saw Billy Joe at The Blue Door in OKC. Not sure if you know of the venue but it is a small listening room with about 50 folded chairs, a broken down couch, and a stage. No bar, you bring your own ice chest. I've seen many greats play there from Guy Clark to Fred Eaglesmith. Great place. Anyway, after the show, Billy was up front selling his merchandise. I shook his hand and thanked him and bought his book. While he was signing it I grabbed his CD Everybody's Brother and told him I'd like to buy that as well. He said NOPE! I'm giving it to you. Then he yelled over at the person helping at his merch table and told him to give that CD to everyone standing there. What a nice gesture. The main thing I remember was how intimidating he was. Not because of his stardom, it was his presence. Man he was rough and tuff, and something about talking to him made you want to call him sir. You could just tell that those crazy stories about him were true in some form or fashion. What a hero. Thanks for the great stories Otis and when things get back to normal you should come to OKC and play the Blue Door. We'd sure love to have ya.
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Billy Joe stopped by my house to visit a few minutes & dropped off a copy that he signed & left a sweet note for my wife & I. We had the pleasure of spending New Year’s Eve with Billy & Eddy around 1994 or 95.
Norm Macdonald introduced me to Billy Joe Shaver and I am thankful for both for their contributions to my life
I always loved Norm's brand of humor (plus, he was the only person with the guts and sense of absurdity into calling out OJ on a national platform), now I have even greater respect to know he was a Shaver fan.
After everything Billy Joe went through it’s hard to believe he made it to 81 years old. He could have been a professor at the school of hard knocks. I was hoping to see him one more time but that didn’t happen. He was one of a kind.
Thanks again for the books, John!
@@otisgibbs Glad to see them go to a good home. You now have plenty of reading to catch up on.
Thank you to both of you for your kindness. I enjoyed the story of my hero.
I was fortunate enough to have seen BIlly Joe Shaver live on stage in some small venues.
I fell I am a better human being for the experience.
He had a way of making me feel calm and loved when he spoke and sang his songs.
The energy he emitted was very special and real.
God Bless Billy Joe Shaver and Thank You for sharing him with us.
Def gonna order, love BJS, I love Billy Joe Shaver too! Even being raised in Alabama and Georgia I was never into outlaw, country, alt, bluegrass until my uncle showed me Chris Knight and I couldn’t deny the talent/soul and finding great artists within till this day. I play alt as well now.
Otis, I lived in Austin from 2004 to 2009. My parents came from Ireland to visit me and I took them to see the capital building. Billy Joe played on the steps outside. I was wearing a "Waylon Rules" tee shirt. He talked with me and my family for at least 20 minutes. Told me some Waylon stories. A great guy. I love his writing and music.
That's beautiful, Brian!
Super story Brian, Wexford man here seen Billy Joe play too...
Between Otis’ videos and the “Tales from the Tour Bus” videos, I’ve recently been getting a lot of outlaw country backstories. Thanks!
Me too! They’re just so great..😁👍
Me three! They are addicting!
You too... I'm a fan of old country in general. (And no kids the 80's isn't old, yet) But I'm learning alot. And alot about what not to do. To bad I didn't know alittle sooner. Lol. Cheers.
Same
Yep same here. A good shuffle
I was at Gruene Hall that night, took my mom to see Billie Joe, they’re about the same age, and he usually prays on stage but that night he seemed REALLY into it. It wasn’t such a big crowd that night for whatever reason, but after he played he greeted everyone that hung around after and told my mom a long story about his wife giving him that belt buckle.
No one would have guessed what he was going through that night and when we all read it in the paper later we thought they had the wrong show.
That’s who Billie Joe Shaver was, an old faithful work horse that gave absolutely all until there wasn’t anything more to give.
Thanks for sharing this, Tim! I was curious what it was like from the audiences' perspective.
Billy Joe gave me a copy of that book in 2009. Signed it for me, and sat a bar table and talked to me and my best friend for an hour after a show. We are a bunch of nobodies. I think he liked that about us.
Like I’ve said I co-own New Life Record shop in West Nashville. It was
Record shop/head shop, and Eddie used to be a fairly regular customer, nice guy kinda quite. Billy Joe came in a few times too. Never really knew them but but glad to have met them. I need to get that book.
There would have been no outlaw movement in country music without Billy Joe!
"Ain't no God in Mexico, ain't no comfort in the can.....
I met Billy Joe 3 times. He "Blessed" me with bottled water at the Cactus Cafe in Austin. One of the greatest song writers in any genre of music. Just ordered the book. Thanks Otis.
The last time I saw Billy Joe was 2008 or '09 at a honky tonk called "Bootleggers" just south of Tyler,Tx. At one point Billy asked what we'd like next? I hollered out" Ain't no God in Mexico!" Billy said " Oooohh! That's a good'rn!" and they set off into it. My life was complete.
I also feel ya on Gruene Hall. I live about 5 miles away from it and that rickety old shack is made out of magic.
Hi neighbor
@@badtexasbill5261 Howdy.
I'm from Tyler
Dear Otis: You are a fine man, you have a warm heart, and I love the way you tell the stories, thank you so much. Best wishes, Steve
Thank ya kindly, Steve!
I loved the story where he and Waylon got stiffed by the bar owner after a gig and they snuck back after it closed, Waylon told him he'd left something in the bar and he had to get it, so Waylon jumps back in the truck they take off and Kaboom the bar blew up, that was a good one
There was a nurse at the rehab I just got out of that went to church with Billy Joe Shaver. One of the wildest things I've ever heard.
Take care of yourself, Eli and much love to ya!
Well its good to know billy got saved, an anyone else can, God saves an heals an restores
I was fortunate enough to have crossed paths with Mr. Shaver at the Belle Star Saloon one Saturday afternoon when I stopped in for a beer. This was in 1982 in Dallas, TX
he was sitting on the edge of the stage strumming his guitar, completely alone. We had some conversation mostly small talk but he told me he wrote " I'm just an old chunk of coal" and I knew that tune so the memory never left me.
He was playing at Belle Stare that evening. Super humble man, I enjoyed our short time talking and I am STILL enjoying my talk with him.
R.I.P.
Billy Joe Shaver. A true music treasure 👍🏻
Thank God for the Screen Actors Guild, and thank God for Billy Joe Shaver. "Please Lord, don't let me die in a motel in Pflugerville" has to be one of the all-time great lines. Great stories, Otis.
I remember the first time i heard billy joe shaver,i was riding with my dad while he was working and oklahoma wind came on and i was automatically a fan
Audrey Auld brought Billy Joe to Australia back in the early 2000s to do a show in Melbourne. The only Audrey show I missed and man am I kicking myself to this day still. Both have passed away, and I have been a great admirer of BJ since the 70s when I heard Old 5 and Dimers by Tom T.
Otis you recapture something special in these uploads that has been lost in this world.
I actually shed a tear when Billy Joe passed. I never met him, or him me. Strange. I think his passing hit me hard because of not only his music and persona, but so many of these cultural icons are passing.
Leaving voids not to be replaced in a changing world.
A mindset, way of life passing.
More concerned about living than worried about dying.
I believe it was called America.
Cool man. The fist time I saw Billy Joe was in LA at The Satellite on his 75th birthday, it was pretty incredible. I got to catch him a year later at The Troubadour and that show was the best. He invited a few friends up on stage that night. Dwight Yoakam sang Little Sister and he had Norm MacDonald come up and tell a joke. Billy Joe also tried to get Robert Duvall and Kris Kristofferson up there too, but they both stayed in the balcony. It was a great night, Billy Joe Shaver was magnetic and sounded amazing. It was a real treat knowing Kristofferson and I were at the same show. The Troubadour can be a magical place
That had to be amazing, Scott!
That’s such an amazing story, Scott! Magic.
Damn. That night you were in the absolute center of the universe.
First saw Billy Joe at Willies Picnic at Luckenbach...1999...Been a fan ever since....Travelled to The Picnic from New Zealand ,,,Great Day...
Love it. Great stuff.
I was an exclusive Rock guy (Zeppelin, Hendrix, ABB, Skynyrd etc etc) until the day I was digging through my dads extensive album collection and I saw this long haired guy with a beard on the cover of this album. He looked rough around the edges to say the least. He looked like the type of guy I could hang out with. Then I made the connection !! This is the narrator or "balladeer" from my childhood favorite "Dukes of Hazzard". The album was called "Ramblin' Man".
A year later I owned every Waylon CD money could buy.
Later I learned about the "Honky Tonk Heroes" album and I learned about Billy Joe Shaver.
So many great songs and stories.
RIP Waylon
RIP Billy Joe
RIP Dad
Fan for life.
AWESOME STUFF Otis. Thank you
Thank you!
I have an autographed copy of his book, he played Billy Bobs and had autograph session after the show. The line to get his autograph was long and slow cause Billy loved talking to his fans so much. Man, I miss Billy, what a great man and a great songwriter!
Oh god don’t let me die in a hotel room in flugerville, that’s a classic B.J.S. One their. Otis,
Thanks for this segment today. I sure do miss old Waylon & Billy. End of an era for sure. I started my morning today with my rare copy of the complete Waylon live from 1974. Hard to fathom both these outlaws have moved on to the big stage. Thanks again for the share Otis, it made my day!
Thank ya kindly!
Billy Joe was also in "Secondhand Lions" with the great Mr. Duvall... one of my favorite movies! Robert Duvall reminds me so much of my ex (de facto) father-in-law.
I'd liked seeing the great actor Robert Duval in movies, but feel in love with him and how great he was after seeing three Apostle! In it he not only looked like my dad, but they had so many similarities, that the movie could've been the story of my dads life (except the womanizing &drinking). Dad raised thru the depression, married mom and had a large family, 11 kids. After helping his brother, a pastor, Dad felt called to own up a little country church that had been closed for many years. I watched in the movie as they repaired, cleaned and painted, just like Dad fixed up that little church. Abs all my childhood, Dad would make several trips to church to bring his own family as well as other families and lots of kids to Sunday School. He always bought them treats at the store on the way home. He loved ppl, never knew a stranger, would talk to anyone, invited ppl to church wherever he went and really loved kids and he'd do anything to help others! In the preaching scenes, Duval sounded just like Daddy! Strangely, Duval lives on a big farm at Paris Va,not far from us and opened a little restaurant "Rail Stop" in The Plains. My sister& I took Dad to eat brunch 1 day, hoping to see Mr Duval, but sadly he was out of town. He's a great man! It's interesting to find out Billy Joe Shaver was his friend!
Billy Joe is like the common man you hear it in his music and he was such a great singer with natural talent .
Love the book loved Billy Joe. I am glad I had the privilege to see Billy Joe Shaver play with Eddy on guitar what a show. I had the privilege of in partnership with a friend booking him on a show in 2007 at the Leon Springs Dancehall in San Antonio and before the show we went across the street to the BBQ place for dinner and Billy Joe visited with my friend and I and insisted on paying for dinner. A seriously gifted soul and truly a nice man. RIP maestro!!!
That's sounds like a great evening, James!
Great preview for anyone interested in Billy Joe. His lyrics are great to read.
Thanks for sharing the stories and the book info! Billy Joe was my second cousin and yeah, if you were around him enough you can definitely still hear his voice writing those words.
Thank you, Kyle!
You’re welcome! Thank you man!!
Billy Joe, the real deal. A sweet man, great song writer, and a great human being with many of the faults that make his music so memorable. A lot of country artists sing about the troubles and tribulations that make up the narration of so much country music, but Billy Joe lived it, and that is why his songs are so real, so special, and so endearing. A man with many faults, many demons, and so much natural talent. Your many fans miss you, old friend, and will not forget you.
Saw Billy Joe open for Rev. Horton Heat in Cameron Park in Waco several years back. Was an amazing show. Got to meet Billy after and shake his hand. I'll always have a heavy dose of respect for him and consider him a hometown hero. Definitely will pick up the book.
That sounds like a fun show!
I was born in 1970 so I was around 7 or 8 years old and my mom took me to see Waylon in Shreveport Louisiana at the old Hirsch coleseum. It was amazing. I tell people that I haven't been the same ever since. Lol it was my introduction to live music. Waylon was King
In the history of American music, Billy Joe Shaver deserves to be in the pantheon of the stars. I am a very, very latecomer to the appreciation of his gifts, and of the genre he worked in. But somehow country music’s gotten a hold on me, thank you Otis and Kenny Vaughn for being ambassadors to me.
Billy Joe Shaver should be in the same conversation as Cole Porter and his peers as a songwriter. His command of language is staggering. Simple sophistication. Mesmerizing. I could go on, but just Thank you.
My apologies Otis
I don't want to Drive u crazy. I'm always toucht
Hearing your reads.
Thank you for your heart and time. Mark m
Tell me about your first Billy Joe Shaver gig! Where was the venue and what was it like? I saw him quite a few times over the years and most of the shows were in Austin. Lets share our memories of seeing Billy Joe and remember the good times.
Only had the pleasure of seeing him once. Exit/in in Nashville. Most of the show was the honky tonk masterpiece I dreamed of. The last few songs turned into an old fashioned tent revival. Back in Illinois the next morning found out my grandmother had passed, Still believe he sang her home.Thank you Billy Joe and Thank you Otis.
@@lindellsiler5994 Thank you, Lindell and I'm sorry about your grandmother!
@@roberthdahlquist Thanks, Bob!
@@otisgibbs Thanks brother. I'm guessing she can hear him sing and play right now. Think of the house band Heaven has these days!
I saw BJS in Seattle at their annual Bumbershoot Festival. Missed part of his set because Steve Earle was playing a solo set at the same time at another stage, so I split the difference between their sets. The folks who scheduled that festival must not have been country music fans or they wouldn't have double booked that time.
I had the pleasure of seeing Billy Jo Shaver in Kerrville TX. Small town. I am forever grateful.
I appreciate your stories , anyone with any respect at all didn't think anything at all about the hammering in the background. Thank you for the uploads of all your stories they are very entertaining.
I have always been fascinated with Billy Joe Shaver's life as a drinking, hell raising singer song writer. I love every song he wrote. His life was the perfect example of country music. I purchased the album "Shaver" with Eddy playing guitar and listened to that cassette until I wore it out. All the songs were amazingly good. I love the line in "Georgia on a Fast Train" that said "I got a good Christian raisin; and an eight grade education, aint no need in y'all a treatin' me this-away". Brilliant line! Otis, I just stumbled across your vids and really like your stuff. Now subbed!
I love Billy Joe never got to see him. I think he's way underrated. Thanks for uploading this!
Thanks, Randy!
Billy Joe was my favorite Outlawcountry singer. I got to meet him before a show at the Blue Note and he took the crowd to church with his Texas 3 piece band !! The best concert I ever seen.
I had heard Billy Joe Shaver songs before I ever heard him do them. When I first heard him I thought it was just wrong to listen to someone else do them. "Old Five and Dimers" and "RIde me Down Easy" just let you know the real Billy Joe Shaver I think I listened to this when you first put it out, it may have been the first one of your posts I watched and I watched it again tonight. Billy Joe Shaver is one of those types who were common during his life, I worked construction and before I retired all of us about my age agreed that when we were first starting in the late 60s there were real characters out on the jobs, no matter where you were and they are not tolerated at all now days. A great job of telling the story, you can tell that because I listened all the way through both times.
Hell of a man. Blessed to know him. Bubba signed the book for me. I’ve got it sitting on my shelf in my room.
Thanks for another great story from Billy Joe Shavers many tales. We are losing so many country legends now.
The friend that Billy confided in about the poetry and the knife was actually Bobby Bare
That's great to know, Frank!
@@MGarrison no bobby bare wasn’t the one with the knife. Bobby bare was who Billie joe talked to about the guy with the knife
Hey brother love listening and I'm 50 my grandmother's record player and records changed my life....the family were truck drivers so yeah keep it be safe ....move away your standing to close to the flame
This one hits home, I once lived at the north end of San Antonio, and in them days 93'I thought nothing of riding the bike to Grunne ,sit by the quadaloopa river, have a few Shinner's at the Hall..what a place, man I'd take a gig there, the back wall of the stage was covered in trail dust, and the artist signed there names in with thier finger, names like, Willie,Leoon ,Arlo...and I hope Billy Joe, thanks for stirring that wonderful memory .
Thanks, Patrick!
I can't tell you how much I enjoy this channel. Wonderfully colorful stories being told by Otis Gibbs , with his calming , southing voice, is just the best!
My sister's boy LOVED Shaver! He saw him several times in Chattanooga, TN.
Otis this video is outstanding. Ok I'm going to watch the Waylon and Billy Joe Shaver episodes of Tales from the Tour Bus for the 37th time now thanks to this video. Rock On brother
Honky Tonk Heroes has been an important record for me ever since childhood. I love what Waylon did for his songs(though if I ever cover Black Rose, my version would be closer to Billy Joe's).
I absolutly love you sharing your life, and all the ppl that most folks are fans of. You tell them as real as it gets. Thanks so much my friend much love
Billy Joe was an American original. He was what he so humbly and not so humbly claimed to be, including, arguably, the greatest songwriter who ever lived.
I loved his music it helped me though alot of things in my life he was a hell of of man.
I can remember when his first album came out. It was so great! Produced by Kris Kristofferson, with liner notes by Tom T. Hall!
2 other very great top notch American musicians of any kind of music. 2 of my favorites also.
Otis Gibbs makes some good music. The Darker Side of Me is classic. Really appreciate this channel and his stories for us outside that world. Beautiful stuff!
Thank ya kindly, Todd!
Sorry about that, Matthew! : )
No worries, Sir. All good. You are a Good Man and an even better Human Being. There's a difference but you carry the gold of both. Really appreciate what you do and the art you create. Music history has been a hobby of mine since childhood. I play nothing but respect all who try. Your music is really intelligent stuff. Life and feelings are reached. This is a great thing!
Thanks again! : )
Otis that was some profound story telling. Fact is stranger than fiction! It's amazing how Billy Joe survived that whole ordeal and few of us, if any, would have ever heard it if you hadn't related it to us here on this forum. A thousand thanks to you.
Thank you, Wayne!
Thanks for the stories Otis, they always seem to trigger other forgotten memories from days gone bye.
Peace from Texas
Thank you, Kevin!
I saw Billy Joe and band loading a van outside a rehearsal space in Austin; I was too shy to speak to him or afraid perhaps. I always wish I had sucked it up. He was awesome.
Thanks Otis, for keeping it real, paying it forward👍
Thankfully, I got see him at a great, local folk festival...a beautiful summer's day, at an Alberta prairie river valley, intimate, small stage...sitting on the grass. So perfect for this kind of rootsy, talent.
A similar deal with Kinky, catching him in a modest, subterranean room of a seedy, big city hotel.
Thank you brother Otis. Your stories are so relaxing and a joy to listen to. As always, lovin' your gift. Kyle, from Arizona. 🌵
Thanks, Kyle!
Thank you Otis for this. Yes a great book from a great man.
This story was the first of many meetings over the years with Billy Joe. I first met Billy Joe and Eddy in a small venue outside West Chester, Pa called Rafters right after the Tramp On Your Street cd was released. I brought it with me in the hopes I’d get to meet him and have him autograph it. Well turns out I did meet him and after a brief chat asked him to autograph the CD itself which had a nice picture of him on it. He looked at me with that aw shucks look of his and said “won’t it ruin it and not play no more?” I replied no it won’t ruin it but if it don’t play I’ll just buy another one to listen to. He then wrote across it “ Bless You Bob Your Friend Billy Joe”. Wish I could show you a picture of that. It’s been framed and hanging on my wall ever since. You can bet I bought another to play. BTW... that show that night was so hot Rafters burnt to the ground about 2 weeks later. I assume from the heat from the show that night. Someday I share an even better story from another meeting so you’ll have to do another video on my personal favorite BJS even more so than Waylon who I idolized and have met a few times. RIP my friend Billy Joe Shaver. God I miss him!
That's beautiful, Bob! : )
Keep up the good work Ottis your like billy a straight up honest person
Thank ya kindly, Dan!
Great story Otis as usual. Billy Joe was a survivor.
Thanks for this story and all you do, God bless!
Your videos are pure gold. You make me feel like I was there for all these stories. Please don't ever stop doing them!
Thank you, Chris!
Great stories Otis, Billy Jo was a underrated writer who wrote some great songs.my personal favourite is Live Forever. R.I.P Billy Jo. Keep the stories coming Otis, love them!
Thank you, Keith!
Billy Joe Shaver was the greatest. I wish I could've seen him before he passed. RIP to the original outlaw.
Thanks, Clayton!
Thanks..I got B.J. autograph soon after Eddie passed,at a club in Dallas.I treasure it
Thanks for providing this educational resource about the great Country Music legends, as your insight and story telling make my appreciation for the music grow ten fold.
Thank you, Vince!
One of my favorite song smiths!! When i saw him in my home town he showed us his bottle of Evian and told us it´s naive spelled back wards, and that what you are if you think thats spring water!
What a great story man! Thank you
You're the Heat Otis! Dig the sincerity! I'm a music lover but the backstories allow it to blossom! Thank you zir
Sir
Billy Joe Shaver was definitely in The Apostle, one of my favorite movies… and so was June Carter Cash… right? And…. I want this book ♥️
Yes, June played his mom in the movie. Her parts were in the beginning of the movie
I love your stories Ottis. Thank you.
John, thanks for the story on Billy Joe Shaver oh, I just started listening to him 2 weeks ago. Peace brother man
Thanks Otis. I got my retro Billy Joe hoodie last week. Wearing it daily. I saw Billy Joe in November, 2012 at the Museum Club here in so-called Flagstaff, AZ. Many Country stars played there over the decades. It closed just after New Year's. Pete Sands, who plays a bunch of Waylon / Billy Joe and is apparently a friend of Shooter's told me that when Waylon was having tough financial times, he was welcome to and played on the Tribal Lands alot. A couple years back, driving back from Tuba City, on the radio is Waylon's song Common People. Seeing Billy Joe at "the Zoo" was a blast. A bunch of crazies, staff from the Grand Canyon were there. The lady with the shirt: "Fuck y'all I'm from Texas". We had a blast. RIP BJS.
Thanks, Susie!
Thanks Otis... Beautiful remembrance of BJ..
Always a good time listening to you share the stories of our Heroes! Billy Joe Shaver will always be in hearts of our family. HIs photo watches over me in my shop/studio. The book is great! Stay well & Happy Otis, best to you & yours.
Thank you, Willy!
An amazing life... just wow
Another great story Otis. I just posted it on my twitter feed.
That book and the Charlie Louvin autobiography are some of my favorite music bios.
Man! This is one of the coolest stories yet!!
Thanks, Mark!
Love these stories dude!
Thank you, Dave!
Ottis I love the story’s thanks for sharing and God’s blessings for you and all your family. Thanks my friend
Thanks, Darrell!
Before we had newspapers , we had storytellers .... I really enjoy how you tell it and of course the content ... life really is a box of chocolates !!!!!
Thank you, Brian!
On your last moments before your imminent death and if you feel ready and at peace, you have gained all the riches anyone could ever have.
I too have three destroyed Lumbar discs, but skipped the surgery when I read the research and talked to people who had it.
Removing discs and replacing them with metal just sounds so wrong. I trust science and doctors, but yikes! : )
@@otisgibbs Yes indeed, metal plates and screws will not even repair discs to full funtion; a well read MRI is needed to view how much scar tissue is present and the time related to its presence. My injury was from 50 years of labor and not a specific injury.
Beautiful
You don't like the poetry, you like the knife!!!!❤😂❤
7:18 - Truer words have never been spoken. Shawn Lane, arguably the greatest electric guitar player to ever touch the instrument, died at 40 years old from a fairly treatable respiratory illness that progressed and became terminal because he didn’t have insurance. The man was a legitimate genius (not a word I use lightly) and he should still be creating and sharing his gift with the world. Thank God Billy Joe was able to get that SAG card.
Thank you, Matthew!
So good! Thanks Otis!
Love the way you tell it all, Otis, thanks for that
Thank you, Victor!
Yeah...I remember him being in that film...actually a natural in it!
I saw Billy Joe at The Blue Door in OKC. Not sure if you know of the venue but it is a small listening room with about 50 folded chairs, a broken down couch, and a stage. No bar, you bring your own ice chest. I've seen many greats play there from Guy Clark to Fred Eaglesmith. Great place. Anyway, after the show, Billy was up front selling his merchandise. I shook his hand and thanked him and bought his book. While he was signing it I grabbed his CD Everybody's Brother and told him I'd like to buy that as well. He said NOPE! I'm giving it to you. Then he yelled over at the person helping at his merch table and told him to give that CD to everyone standing there. What a nice gesture. The main thing I remember was how intimidating he was. Not because of his stardom, it was his presence. Man he was rough and tuff, and something about talking to him made you want to call him sir. You could just tell that those crazy stories about him were true in some form or fashion. What a hero. Thanks for the great stories Otis and when things get back to normal you should come to OKC and play the Blue Door. We'd sure love to have ya.
Thank you, Joe! The Blue Door is legendary. I'll try to make it out there when it's safe to do such things.
Thank you.
brother I've become a big fan of your stories. Dig your music as well..
I very much enjoy your stories and the people you interview. I especially liked the ones with WS Holland and Kenny Vaughan.
Another outstanding video!
As always, thank you for these videos , Otis! They make my day. It sounds like God's a big Billy Joe Shaver fan, too.
Thank you! : )