Billy Joe Shaver: Gifted songwriter who embodied the lyricism of country music

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. A gifted songwriter and gruff singer, Shaver embodied country music’s mix of lyricism, fatalism and hard living. While his records enjoyed scant commercial success, Shaver’s exquisite songs would find everyone from Elvis Presley and Willie Nelson through to Emmylou Harris and Bob Dylan singing them. Shaver – an instinctive, droll, personal songwriter – would write hits for the likes of Johnny Cash while serving as a formidable reminder of country music’s rugged roots. Feted as one of the “outlaws” – those long-haired, non-conformist country singers who broke with Nashville’s conservative traditions – Shaver never enjoyed commercial success akin to Jennings and Willie Nelson.