Billy Joe Shaver in Hospital Due to Heart Issue
This story has been updated.
Country music songwriting legend and performer Billy Joe Shaver has been forced to cancel his show Friday evening (4-14) at Riley’s Tavern in Hunter, TX near New Braunfels, as well as Saturday night’s (4-15) show at Love & War in Lindale, TX near Tyler, due to a heart issue. Shaver is currently in the hospital. This is the news from Billy Joe’s guitar player and tour manager Jeremy Lynn Woodall.
“Yall pray for Billy Joe,” Woodall posted Friday afternoon. “Hes been admitted to the hospital regarding his heart. Tonight and tomorrows shows will be rescheduled. Our sincerest apology.”
Woodall later added, “Hes okay…. nothing to get worried about, but tonight and tomorrows shows will be rescheduled.”
Saving Country Music has reached out to Billy Joe Shaver’s publicist to attempt to get more information on Shaver’s condition.
The 77-year-old has suffered health ailments over the last few years, including issues with his shoulder, knees, and hip, but continues to tour regularly, though occasionally having to postpone or cancel shows due to health concerns. In May of 2016, Billy Joe Shaver fell ill and was in the hospital as well, but was able to make a full recovery and resume touring despite death rumors that swirled around the incident.
““I was on my deathbed for two days,” Shaver said at the time. “I came back to kick some more ass.”
Born in Corsicana, TX and currently residing near Waco, Billy Joe Shaver became famous after Waylon Jennings cut an entire record of his songs called Honky Tonk Heroes in 1973. Since then, Billy Joe Shaver songs have been covered by countless country music artists over multiple generations, and he remains one of the most revered songwriters in country music, and one of the last living links to country’s Outlaw era. His latest record Long In The Tooth was released in 2014, and became his highest-charting record ever.
Billy Joe Shaver’s next scheduled live appearance is at the Larry Joe Taylor Festival on April 27th.
April 14, 2017 @ 6:31 pm
Praying for Billy Joe!
April 18, 2017 @ 11:11 am
Prayers for you Billy Joe. Been a fan for years. See u every year in Luckenbach.
April 14, 2017 @ 6:39 pm
Wishing you the best BJS.
April 14, 2017 @ 7:10 pm
I started listening to him 5 years ago and can’t explain how grateful I am to have seen him play live.
Love You Billy!
April 14, 2017 @ 7:20 pm
Billy Joe, I will talk to the Big Ranger and ask for a speedy recovery for you. You know you are my Spiritual Guru and I need you. Stay cool.
April 14, 2017 @ 7:44 pm
Prayers Billy Joe Shaver
April 14, 2017 @ 8:03 pm
Jeremy’s post also said Billy Joe is okay. If you’re going to quote him. include the entire comment. Godspeed, Billy Joe!!
April 14, 2017 @ 9:41 pm
Jeremy Lynn Woodall’s statement was posted, VERBATIM, as he originally posted it, in this article. It appears that at some point later he added the “Hes okay…. nothing to get worried about,” and as soon as I was made aware of this, I updated the article. There was never any attempt to mislead anyone or leave out any information. I also communicated with Shaver’s publicist, and also attempted to make contact with Riley’s Tavern, who was so swamped with calls about whether Shaver was playing or not, could not be reached. That’s why it was imperative to post an article and let folks know the show had been canceled. These health stories can get emotional for all involved, and I always take the greatest care in making sure the public is informed, but to not raise unnecessary alarm.
Thanks for the clarification.
April 15, 2017 @ 10:47 am
I appreciate your response and the clarification. I’m sure you were not intentionally leaving anything out, and when I saw his post, it was already updated, but your article wasn’t. Just a timing issue, I’m sure.
April 15, 2017 @ 10:57 am
No worries Miss L. Unfortunately there are a lot of sites these days exploiting health information from aging artists for clicks, so I totally understand when people get jumpy about these stories. This is happening to Willie Nelson on a daily basis. We also had false rumors about Billy Joe dying last year, so I understand why folks can be on edge. I do everything I can to make sure I’m reporting on these stories accurately, and with the respect to the news. I never want to exploit an ailing artist simply for clicks. At the same time you want to make sure the public is informed, especially if prayers are bing asked for, and shows are getting canceled.
April 15, 2017 @ 8:39 am
When Billy Joe sings, “There’s those that are blind, so we’ll all have to lead ’em,” I believe he’s referring to Miss L
April 15, 2017 @ 10:02 am
You can believe what you want. I assure you I am neither blind nor stupid. But I am not the subject here. Billy Joe’s best interest would be the point I posted about.
April 15, 2017 @ 11:34 am
My oldest son and I have listened to him for years. He is REAL DEAL. And he will live foreverrrr ! A speedy recover and see you soon Billy Joe in Nashville- we got a barstool with your name on it!
Get Well my Friend!!?
April 14, 2017 @ 8:52 pm
Prayers to Billy Joe, I just met and saw him for the first time last November, legend, great guy. Probably my biggest hero in the world of music.
April 14, 2017 @ 10:46 pm
Billy Joe, this The Kitchen Bitch from out at Riley’s Tavern, we missed you tonight! You take care of yourself and I’ll be praying for you! See you next time around!
April 15, 2017 @ 4:44 am
He is advertised for Macon, GA on April 22. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
April 15, 2017 @ 6:55 am
“Honky Tonk Heroes” is one of my favorite Waylon album. It’ll be a sad day when
he also passes away…
Also, I love the dog on the picture It’s a Border Collie isn’t? I’ve had one to
April 15, 2017 @ 8:20 am
Sorry… the last sentence should probably be:
Also, I love the dog in the picture It’s a Border Collie isn’t it? I had one too.
April 15, 2017 @ 2:38 pm
Praying for Billy Joe I just love him im just an old outlaw my self from piedmont Alabama god does save his fallen angels!!
April 15, 2017 @ 4:25 pm
He’s a Texas treasure. I really appreciate him even more after the Waylon tribute the other night. Get well soon, Billy Joe.
April 16, 2017 @ 2:16 pm
Hang on Billy. You can’t go until all these douche bag bro-fuckers go!
April 16, 2017 @ 4:11 pm
He wrote my favorite Waylon record! Glad he seems to be okay but I’ll keep him in my thoughts. The guy is a country music badass and very much a legend.
April 16, 2017 @ 4:23 pm
Two Minnesotans love you…we discovered you about five years ago aand travelled to see you in baton rouge and memphis a couple of times…great concerts, great fun and fantastic songs. You are our favorite songwriter and singer.
Best wishes,
The daley’s
April 18, 2017 @ 1:04 pm
Get better soon Billy Joe! We already have our plane tickets and rental car and RV for Larry Joe Taylor and we want to see you on the Allsups stage!
April 20, 2017 @ 9:51 am
Come on, did you really get on your knees and pray for him?
Get well soon BJS