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Billy Joe Shaver, Seminal Outlaw-Country Songwriter, Dead at 81 Best known as the songwriter of Waylon Jennings’ 1973 album ‘Honky Tonk Heroes,’ the colorful Texas raconteur had his songs recorded by Willie Nelson, Elvis Presley By PATRICK DOYLE & JOSEPH HUDAK Facebook Twitter Reddit Email Show more sharing options Billy Joe Shaver Kirk West/Getty Images Billy Joe Shaver, the outlaw-country music pioneer who wrote some of the genre’s greatest songs, died Wednesday in Waco, Texas, after suffering a stroke. He was 81. Connie Nelson, a friend of Shaver’s, confirmed his death to Rolling Stone. Shaver’s hard-lived career classics included “Honky...

Jurors returned a not guilty verdict Friday evening in the aggravated assault of Central Texas singer-songwriter Billy Joe Shaver, 70, who was accused of shooting Billy Bryant Coker in 2007 outside of Papa Joe’s Saloon in Lorena, Texas. Shaver, however, still faces a charge for unlawfully carrying a firearm in a licensed premises, which is a third-degree felony. The judge required him to post a $7,500 bond by next week and told him he was free to go. Shaver left the courthouse to head to Houston, where he was scheduled to perform Friday night. Coker’s family declined comment, although Coker’s...

BOOK REVIEW & DISCUSSION: Ain't Got No Cigarettes: Memories of Music Legend Roger Miller By Lyle E Style "It's an endless story about Roger. He was one of the cleverest people I've ever met in my life." (Waylon Jennings) This is my own review of Ain't Got No Cigarettes, the first Roger Miller book ever published. My review is based on reading the book (twice) and having several discussions with Lyle E Style, the author. He may stop by later to answer questions (as his schedule allows). This one is a must-read, folks. And for you radio personalities who...