The legendary Billy Joe
I was going to title this post "The legend of Billy Joe", but I thought people might think i was talking about the classic 80s film starring the Slater siblings (Helen and Christian). In truth though, probably no one would have even gotten the reference. Which is okay too, because i'm not talking about a movie.
I'm talking about the one and only Billy Joe Shaver. It's possible you might not know him, but you should. Everyone should. Truly, he's one of the greatest songwriters around. Willie says so, Kris Kristofferson says so, Johnny Cash says so, and I say so. What more do you need? Well, have you ever heard of the outlaw country movement? The seminal record in that movement--- Waylon's "Honkytonk Heroes", featured 10 songs. 9 were written by Billy Joe. "Old five and Dimers Like Me" is perhaps one of the most perfect country songs of all time: simple, yet to the point, capturing exactly what the lives of most ordinary folks are like. I can't adequately enough put into words how legendary he is.
And Thursday night he was playing in Falls Church, only 2 hours from me. He doesn't leave TX a whole lot, so whenever he comes close by I have to go. I was really looking forward to this one.
Before I had a chance to purchase tickets, they put a call out to the Billy Joe fans that he was needing help selling merch at some stops on this tour. The Falls Church show was one where they needed help. So I volunteered. By doing so I'd get a free shirt, free show, and get to help out one of my musical idols. What did i have to lose?
Well... the merch booth was set up in the lobby and NOT in the actual auditorium. That totally stressed me out. It worked out okay because not too many people were buying stuff during the show so I'd sneak into the back of the auditorium. But it was kind of distracting trying to keep an eye on the merch table. It made it hard to totally get into the show, but I tried my best.
Bob Brown, the guitar player in Billy's band told me before the show that half the band (including Billy) had come down with bad colds and were feeling pretty miserable. You wouldn't have known it from the performance that they put on. The band was rockin,and Billy Joe was more animated than usual (and he's usually pretty animated anyway!). They sounded great, and played almost 2 hours, taking requests from the crowd. It would have been easy for them to just put it on autopilot--going thru the motions for 90 minutes and heading back on the road.
But Billy Joe wouldn't do that. I've seen plenty of legends who just go through the motions these days: collecting their pay from the club singing a couple tunes, and never engaging w/ the crowd. Not Billy. He always gives 100%. He loves playing music. And he loves that people are there to listen to his music. He doesn't take that for granted. After every show he graciously signs autographs and poses for pictures. I've met him several times, and I can honestly say that he's probably the most down to earth performer you will ever meet.
It was a good turnout for the show, and I'm glad. And I'm sure they (the fans) are glad. They were rewarded with a tremendous show from one of the all time legends of country music. Billy Joe played most of the songs that other's had hits out of: "honkytonk heroes", "you asked me to", "just an old chunk of coal", etc. He also pulled out some rare ones, which was great. After playing "Live Forever"---one of my favorite songs of all time, he strayed from the setlist, and announced to the band that he wanted to play one solo. He talked for a minute or 2 about losing his son Eddy to drugs, and then got a little choked up before playing a powerful version of "Star in my Heart".
The fans there that night were lucky. Anyone that gets to see Billy Joe is lucky. If he ever comes anywhere close to your town: GO. You won't be disappointed. I guarantee it.
Check out his tourdates at www.billyjoeshaver.com
Pick up a CD while you're there too if you want. His most recent official studio CD is called "Freedom's Child" and is as good as any album he's ever put out. And way better than anything you'll hear on the radio these days.
It's rare that you get to see such a legend. It's even more rare to see one that's still at the top of their game. Unlike many of his contemporaries who have faded away (or passed away unfortunately) Billy Joe is still out there , putting out tremendous music, puting on tremendous shows.
Go see him. Or at least check out some of his music. It's your loss if you don't.
It's amazing how humble he is considering how talented he is. Countless other people have sang his songs, and made millions of dollars. Billy Joe still lives in a modest brick house in Waco, driving his white van from show to show. And I think he's okay with it. I don't think he ever set out to become a platinum selling artist. I think he was blessed with a gift to capture the truth in song, and he just wants to share his songs w/ the world, for any one that will listen.
You should listen.
"Old Five and Dimers" by Billy Joe Shaver
I've spent a lifetime making up my mind to be,
More than the measure of what I thought others could see.
Good luck and fast bucks are too far and too few between,
Cadillac buyers and old five and dimers like me.
She stood beside me, letting me know she would be,
Something to lean on when everything ran out on me.
Fenced yards ain't hold cards and, like as not, never will be,
Reasons for rhymers and old five and dimers like me.
It's taken me so long but now that I know, I believe,
All that I do or say is all that I ever will be.
Too much ain't enough for old five and dimers like me
Too far and too high and too deep ain't too much to see.
An old five and dimer was all I intented to be.
I'm talking about the one and only Billy Joe Shaver. It's possible you might not know him, but you should. Everyone should. Truly, he's one of the greatest songwriters around. Willie says so, Kris Kristofferson says so, Johnny Cash says so, and I say so. What more do you need? Well, have you ever heard of the outlaw country movement? The seminal record in that movement--- Waylon's "Honkytonk Heroes", featured 10 songs. 9 were written by Billy Joe. "Old five and Dimers Like Me" is perhaps one of the most perfect country songs of all time: simple, yet to the point, capturing exactly what the lives of most ordinary folks are like. I can't adequately enough put into words how legendary he is.
And Thursday night he was playing in Falls Church, only 2 hours from me. He doesn't leave TX a whole lot, so whenever he comes close by I have to go. I was really looking forward to this one.
Before I had a chance to purchase tickets, they put a call out to the Billy Joe fans that he was needing help selling merch at some stops on this tour. The Falls Church show was one where they needed help. So I volunteered. By doing so I'd get a free shirt, free show, and get to help out one of my musical idols. What did i have to lose?
Well... the merch booth was set up in the lobby and NOT in the actual auditorium. That totally stressed me out. It worked out okay because not too many people were buying stuff during the show so I'd sneak into the back of the auditorium. But it was kind of distracting trying to keep an eye on the merch table. It made it hard to totally get into the show, but I tried my best.
Bob Brown, the guitar player in Billy's band told me before the show that half the band (including Billy) had come down with bad colds and were feeling pretty miserable. You wouldn't have known it from the performance that they put on. The band was rockin,and Billy Joe was more animated than usual (and he's usually pretty animated anyway!). They sounded great, and played almost 2 hours, taking requests from the crowd. It would have been easy for them to just put it on autopilot--going thru the motions for 90 minutes and heading back on the road.
But Billy Joe wouldn't do that. I've seen plenty of legends who just go through the motions these days: collecting their pay from the club singing a couple tunes, and never engaging w/ the crowd. Not Billy. He always gives 100%. He loves playing music. And he loves that people are there to listen to his music. He doesn't take that for granted. After every show he graciously signs autographs and poses for pictures. I've met him several times, and I can honestly say that he's probably the most down to earth performer you will ever meet.
It was a good turnout for the show, and I'm glad. And I'm sure they (the fans) are glad. They were rewarded with a tremendous show from one of the all time legends of country music. Billy Joe played most of the songs that other's had hits out of: "honkytonk heroes", "you asked me to", "just an old chunk of coal", etc. He also pulled out some rare ones, which was great. After playing "Live Forever"---one of my favorite songs of all time, he strayed from the setlist, and announced to the band that he wanted to play one solo. He talked for a minute or 2 about losing his son Eddy to drugs, and then got a little choked up before playing a powerful version of "Star in my Heart".
The fans there that night were lucky. Anyone that gets to see Billy Joe is lucky. If he ever comes anywhere close to your town: GO. You won't be disappointed. I guarantee it.
Check out his tourdates at www.billyjoeshaver.com
Pick up a CD while you're there too if you want. His most recent official studio CD is called "Freedom's Child" and is as good as any album he's ever put out. And way better than anything you'll hear on the radio these days.
It's rare that you get to see such a legend. It's even more rare to see one that's still at the top of their game. Unlike many of his contemporaries who have faded away (or passed away unfortunately) Billy Joe is still out there , putting out tremendous music, puting on tremendous shows.
Go see him. Or at least check out some of his music. It's your loss if you don't.
It's amazing how humble he is considering how talented he is. Countless other people have sang his songs, and made millions of dollars. Billy Joe still lives in a modest brick house in Waco, driving his white van from show to show. And I think he's okay with it. I don't think he ever set out to become a platinum selling artist. I think he was blessed with a gift to capture the truth in song, and he just wants to share his songs w/ the world, for any one that will listen.
You should listen.
"Old Five and Dimers" by Billy Joe Shaver
I've spent a lifetime making up my mind to be,
More than the measure of what I thought others could see.
Good luck and fast bucks are too far and too few between,
Cadillac buyers and old five and dimers like me.
She stood beside me, letting me know she would be,
Something to lean on when everything ran out on me.
Fenced yards ain't hold cards and, like as not, never will be,
Reasons for rhymers and old five and dimers like me.
It's taken me so long but now that I know, I believe,
All that I do or say is all that I ever will be.
Too much ain't enough for old five and dimers like me
Too far and too high and too deep ain't too much to see.
An old five and dimer was all I intented to be.
posted by Hutch at 10:46 AM
2 Comments:
Another epic concert review! Thanks for documenting it. You say you can't describe what a legend Billy Joe is, but you did pretty damn good. I bet that's the last time we see Hutch selling Merch at a show!
BTW, I think the movie you're talking about is the "Legend of Billie Jean", not Billy Jow. I didn't know Helen and Christain Slater were siblings, so I did some googling and found that Helen Slater, who we all know and love (and I mean REALLY love) as Supergirl, is also a singer/songwriter. Check it out: http://www.helenslater.com/index.html
Is it just me, or does she look like the twin sister of Lori Singer? (the Footloose chick and super-hot secret agent in The Man with One Red Show)
dang!
i am humbled by the almighty clay.
the movie is indeed "the legend of billie jean".
i could try to play it off and say i knew that was the real title, and i was 'borrowing' it and changing it up for this post, but that would be false.
i'm ashamed.
i often claim to be stuck in the 80s, and then i go and get the title wrong of one of the great underrated 80s flicks.
i'll slink away now...
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