Bill Joe Shaver on 60 Minutes Wednesday

Dan Rather's piece on the life of Billy Joe Shaver aired on Wednesday night's episode of 60 Minutes Wednesday on CBS. Rather chronicled the legendary singer/songwriter's spiritual faith and courage in overcoming the loss of his mother and wife to cancer, his son's heroin overdose, and Shaver's heart attack onstage at Texas' Gruene Hall.

Billy Joe Shaver is presently touring on the heels of Tribute to Billy Joe Shaver – Live (Compadre Records), released May 17. The tribute disc finds him flanked by such legends as Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Guy Clark, Joe Ely, Robert Earl Keen, Bruce Robison, Kelly Willis, Todd Snider, Dale Watson and more. Additionally, Shaver’s autobiography, Honky Tonk Hero, was recently published by University of Texas Press. Shaver is presently in the studio completing a new studio album due for September release.

(photo [L-R]: Shaver, Keen and Gilmore backstage celebrating Shaver's 65th birthday at Austin's Paramount Theater.)

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