 Billy Joe Shaver Bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating and your favorite refreshments to the free concert in Lions Park, 400 South Flood, Norman. Music begins at 7:30 PM. Born in Corsicana, Texas in 1939, Billy Joe saw a mesmerizing Hank Williams concert as a boy. Although he would take a few detours along the way, he sensed early on in his life that his salvation would lie in country music. After leaving the Navy, which he had joined at age seventeen, Shaver took a series of odd jobs to make ends meet. Working at a lumber mill, his right hand caught in the machinery, amputating the better part of two fingers. He developed a serious infection from the accident. After eventually recovering, Shaver taught himself to play the guitar. Shaver has written many honest and real lyrics including a good majority of the songs on Waylon’s Jennings’ 1973 landmark Honky Tonk Heroes album. He has also written incredible songs that have been recorded by some of the biggest names in music, Old Five and Dimers, Bob Dylan; (Just Because) You Ask Me To, Elvis Presley; Sweet Mama, The Allman Brothers; Old Chunk of Coal, John Anderson; Live Forever, Johnny Cash; and the good time standard Georgia on a Fast Train, recorded by Johnny Cash, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Commander Cody, Cody Morrow and Willie Nelson.
Billy Joe Shaver is a vibrant performer whose spirit has moved thousands, if not millions, around the world. Long ago Billy Joe gained attention from beyond Nashville and he has been sought after by artists of different mediums. He has appeared in a number of films including “Second Hand Lions and The Apostle with good friend Robert Duvall. Mr. Duvall’s wife, Lucciana Pedraza, produced a documentary on Shaver in 2003 entitled Portrait of Billy Joe. Former Texas Gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman often referred to Billy Joe as his spiritual advisor.
The Performing Arts Studio is very pleased to open Summer Breeze 2007 with Billy Joe Shaver.
Summer Breeze Concerts are made possible in part by grants from the Norman Arts Council, Oklahoma Arts Council and the National Endowments for the Arts. Additional support comes from Sponsors Michael Miller; Jamie Belknap D.D.S. and Donna Sparks D.D.S.; Skye Diers, Gingerbread Nursery School; and Victor T. Wilson, M.D. P.C., Caring Pediatrics. Contributors include Corner Post Management and Consulting; Physical Therapy Central; and Republic Bank and Trust. Friends include Ed and Sumya Adwon; American First Abstract Co; Cardinal Engineering; The Crucible; The Earth Natural Foods; First State Bank, Noble; David Fries Roofing, MDS Plumbing, Pepe Delgados and The Zoo Amphitheater. In-kind support comes from Montford Inn; Residence Inn of Norman; Norman Parks and Recreation Depaartment; and the Summer Breeze Stage Crew.
For additional information, contact The Performing Arts Studio at 405-307-9320. For more information on Shaver visit www.billyjoeshaver.com |
