Texas. 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.
Both on and off stage Shaver was a larger than life character, his music and rugged personality winning him a loyal following.Shaver was born in Corsicana, Texas, to Victory (Watson) Shaver.
His father fled the family after having beaten Victory brutally while she was pregnant, and young Billy and his sister were raised by their maternal grandmother.
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