Outlaw Legend Billy Don Burns Asks For Prayers Amid Hospitalization
Billy Don Burns is one of the very last of the true American country music Outlaws. His songs have been recorded by the likes of Willie Nelson, Johnny Paycheck, Hank Cochran, Mel Tillis, Sammy Kershaw, Whitey Morgan, Cody Jinks, Colter Wall, and Connie Smith among others. Waylon Hanel’s releasing a new album on Friday (11-28) named after Billy Don’s song “When Waylon Came To Nashville.” The album includes three Billy Don Burns songs alone.
Burns also worked as a producer for Merle Haggard and Johnny Paycheck, and Billy Don’s last solo album featured appearances by Cody Jinks, Shooter Jennings, Whey Jennings, and Wes Shipp, speaking to the type of respect he pulls from the current generation of the Outlaw class.
Billy Don Burns came close recently to leaving the planet for good in a story that is only fit for Billy Don. While asking for prayers, a Facebook post by Billy Don on Tuesday (11-15) read in part,
So, I get out here to California to get my car. Johnny picks me up at the airport. I left Johnny Rotten’s house because he had his girlfriend there and I knew he doesn’t like me bringing any cocaine or anything around and all that so I found me so cocaine and whiskey and I get messed up man. It really takes me way out there now and I ran over a big concrete thing and tore up my car.
So, there I am again with my car broke down. I hadn’t even drove it ten miles since I came and got it. I walked to the liquor store which is not even 12 to 15 minutes there and back to get to my car. I left my phone and this son of a bitch stole it. So, when you don’t have a phone, in a strange land, and you don’t have a car….You are pretty much f-cked. So, I started shooting the drugs. Instead of putting water in the spoon, I started using whiskey. I was shooting Jim Beam Whiskey and cocaine. I’m out of my head man. I decided “why don’t you just kill yourself Billy”?So, I stabbed myself three times. I got a pocket knife that has about a 4 ½ inch blade on it. I thought I stabbed myself 3 times but there is actually about 4 or 5, I didn’t remember the other 2. I bled. I know I bled over a pint on one of the cuts. Anyway, they rushed me to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton, CA. They put me on the 4th floor which is a lockdown floor in the telemetry unit, that is a heart unit.
I’m hoping I get out of here in the next few days. It’s pretty crazy sh-t man but if you want to happen next, I guess you will have to buy the book I guess but man I was playing, reading the bible, and doing all that stuff but its crazy times man, crazy times. That guy called 911, they cut the clothes off of me and I finally made here to where I’m at.Everyone, pray for me BDB.
We’re obviously all glad to hear that Billy Don Burns made it through the ordeal, and wish for his 100% recovery. Stories like these are the reason Billy Don is a legend in his own time, and sets the pace when it comes to living out his songs. Check out his song “Keith Whitley Blue” for an example. Waylon Hanel has a version of it. Or check out “Stranger” by Billy Don himself, which won the 2012 Saving Country Music Song of the Year.
But it’s also worth saying that there’s something a bit unsettling with how cavalier ol’ Billy Don tells his story while he still has an EKG strapped to his chest, especially in the wake of the passing of Todd Snider and others recently. Billy Don has fought through addiction issues and drug convictions for years, and this is one of the reasons his career has always remained in the underground.
The way that Billy Don delivers the story makes you feel like he thinks he’s telling a tale from 35 years in the past as opposed to recently living through it. Sure, maybe Billy Don is like Obi-Wan Kenobi and will be even more powerful in the afterlife. But once you cash in your paycheck, there’s no coming back. Take care of yourself Billy. The Outlaw Padawan of today need an master around to look up to, and hopefully for years to come.
November 27, 2025 @ 8:31 am
Hate to see this. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Billy many times over the past few years. He’s still a masterful performer, and while I knew he drank and smoked a little I had no clue he still did any hard drugs.
He’s made it clear he’s ready to go when it happens, but I hope he cleans it up some and keeps going for years to come.
November 27, 2025 @ 8:56 am
I saw his FB post the other day. He came down from Arkansas to play the SA Rodeo for me about 18 years ago. He was very gracious and let me tell you, the Rodeo didn’t pay much at all as it is a charitable group itself, but he was great and full of stories.
The day he was scheduled (it was a 2 man guitar swap), the guy opposite him couldn’t make it so I stepped in and did the set with BDB. I was way outta my league but when would i ever have a chance to play with someone of his caliber. He drove down on his motorcycle and brought a rock all the way from AR just for me.
He does have a penchant for things best left to ones younger years. I wish him the best and to get healthy!
November 27, 2025 @ 3:55 pm
Cool story! I’m sure you held your own.
November 27, 2025 @ 9:34 am
Heaven said, “son, we ain’t ready for you today.” I’ve felt that way many a survived mornings, but not so many these days. I’m slowing down and these old timer outlaws are still living hard, fast, and crazy.
Ironically, I was listening to Nights When I’m Sober earlier this week. Why is it “Gaylor Creek Church” on that album and “Church at Gaylor Creek” on Jink’s album? I couldn’t hear any changed lyrics.
November 27, 2025 @ 9:39 am
Being an addict does not define an outlaw.
November 27, 2025 @ 3:54 pm
Bingo. The romanticizing of the addict lifestyle by artists is so played (and has been for decades). One doesn’t have to live on the edge, or try to kill themselves with drugs (or knives) to create moving art (or to be an outlaw). I hope Billy gets help, but by his attitude here it doesn’t appear that will be the case.
November 29, 2025 @ 4:20 pm
Thank you for clarifying that. Totally agree.
November 27, 2025 @ 4:22 pm
BDB is so good! Hoe he’s ok
November 28, 2025 @ 4:58 am
He’s far from good, actually. He’s a mean jerk, inside and outside.
Imagine the truly great music he would be capable of if he wasn’t such a fuck up.
A wasted talent, sadly, and I write this with nothing but respect for his music. I saw him live many years ago, and it would have been a great show if he didn’t snort and sipped bourbon every ten minutes. He could certainly do a worthwhile storyteller evening without even picking up that battered axe, if he cared to.
But, he doesn’t care about anything but his fixes.
November 27, 2025 @ 4:50 pm
Glad Billy Don is still with us,but….he and Johnny Rotten are BUDDIES ???????????????D**N!!!Hadn’t heard the name Johnny Rotten in FREAKIN’ AGES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 1, 2025 @ 1:44 am
Definitely one of the strangest parts of this story. As far as I can tell JR lives in Venice and the hospital was in San Bernardino which is pretty far. Lucky more people weren’t hurt.
December 1, 2025 @ 7:41 am
I’m pretty sure this is a different Johnny Rotten.
December 16, 2025 @ 3:36 am
You are full of shit.you don’t know a damn thing about Billy don burns.
Billy has thousands of young singers and songwriter that have put him on a pedestal.calling him a hero, thinking of him as a legend. King of the honky tonk life..
He has earned those titles.But it Is a huge load to carry for any man. He is a great friend .He is a loving dad to his children. And a grandfather.
His work ethic is above and beyond anyone you know.
His word is good at the bank ,the church or with anyone who knows him.
He has wasted nothing .He is respected by everyone he works with or lives around.
His talent has taken him around the world.Allowed him to perform for millions.
He carries the weight of living up to the hero status. Being a legend in the eyes of generations of younger up and coming artist..When he may be struggling himself.There is always uninformed, inert blanks like you who think they want to run their mouths about who he is or what he is doing. Who or what he cares about..
November 27, 2025 @ 10:20 pm
Not at all impressed..actually pretty pathetic that people pat him on the back and he’s nothing more then a drunken drug addict..people like him are what’s wrong with this world. Not looking for a debate. I stated MHO don’t agree, don’t care!
November 29, 2025 @ 9:26 pm
Good for you. People like you are what’s wrong with the world, too. Not looking for a debate. I stated MHO don’t agree, don’t care!
November 27, 2025 @ 10:27 pm
The greatest artists are seldom great people.
It might be unfair that Billy Don isn’t a well known, big star considering his showmanship and qualities as a singer, songwriter and storyteller. On the other hand; if fame and wealth came his way, he would be dead by now.
At least he didn’t kill some innocent people while DUI.
November 28, 2025 @ 7:12 am
DUIs aren’t funny.Hopefully B.D. is getting the help he needs to get and stay sober. Given what I read about his dystopian boyhood,his manhood problems were almost unavoidable.
November 28, 2025 @ 7:28 am
I agree with others here that hes no role model and I just shake my head in disbelief. How old are you Billy? Time to clean up and leave the past behind you.
I do like the guys music. I had the pleasure of attending an album release party for him in 2021. He showed up at Nashville Palace on a Harley Road King with his battered J-45 slung over his back, black leather jacket and aviators. Never seen a cooler entrance ever. He was brilliant that night. And appeared to be sober and on his game. Thats the Billy I like.
November 28, 2025 @ 9:39 am
I hope Billy Don gets clean cocaine is something not to mess with, he’s very fortunate someone came along and helped him. We’ve lost enough greats in recent years and while we all have are time to go I like to see what few remaining country legends hang around as long as they can…God willing. Prayers for Billy Don Burns that he finds Jesus and gets his life straight.
November 28, 2025 @ 11:20 am
If he is being truthful, it does appear to be self inflicted. It is hard to be sympathetic as driving a car in that state put others in danger. Sad to see anyone so messed up. I hope he can sort himself out.
November 29, 2025 @ 12:47 am
I think Billy is about 76.It’s remarkable he’s lived that long with his self-destructiveness.And Happy 100th anniversary,Grand Ol’ Opry !!!!!!!!!!!!
November 29, 2025 @ 8:34 am
CM fans: We value authenticity
— Nooo, not like that!
For sure that cat’ll have 9 lives, but damn bro check the count now and then will ya. Glad nobody else got hurt.
December 1, 2025 @ 9:21 am
This is a really horrifying. At some point, you’re too damn old to be doing these things (and you never should have been when you were younger, either). This is longstanding history at this point. Can an old dog pursue a redemptive arc in his later years? If BDB doesn’t start soon, it’s going to be too late.
Let’s be sure to pray for him. Only God changes hearts.
December 4, 2025 @ 3:34 pm
Legend? Never heard of him
December 5, 2025 @ 10:31 am
Openly admitting to driving around on a mix of blow and whisky – he’s not an Outlaw he’s the sort of person that kills innocent people every day on America’s road. He can pray for himself.
December 16, 2025 @ 4:16 am
These asshole nobody’s don’t have a clue .They don’t know anything about Billy don burns.
Who he really is.or what he has done. They post on here thinking someone will think they have something to say .But they are uninformed, They couldn’t live a day in Billy don burns ‘s boots. Just pitiful yapping nobodies. Who don’t have anyone who gives a shit what they have to say.nothing better to do than throw stones at a man when he is down.
Even at his worst.Billy don is head over hills a better human being..than these yapping knit whits talking about him.
He has reached legendary status in his career .He is a loving father and grandfather.he is a great friend,brother of the music trusted and respected by everyone that knows him.
His talent is unquestionably amazing.The longevity of his career and The success he has had. Is proof that he is a great American poet.singer-songwriter a true legend in the honky tonks around the world..
These people just have no idea what they are talking about.