By Wilson H.R. No. 227 77R5886 JKB-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The house of representatives is proud to honor 1-2 renowned Texas singer and songwriter Billy Joe Shaver, for his 1-3 songs have earned him a special place in the hearts of country 1-4 music lovers everywhere; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Born in Corsicana, Mr. Shaver was raised in Waco and 1-6 joined the United States Navy at the age of 17, already a budding 1-7 songwriter; after completing his military service, he married 1-8 Brenda Joyce Tindall and on June 20, 1962, they became the proud 1-9 parents of a son, John Edwin "Eddy" Shaver; and 1-10 WHEREAS, When he was 26, he lost two of the fingers on his 1-11 right hand in an accident, an event that ironically spurred his 1-12 desire to learn to play the guitar; and 1-13 WHEREAS, Determined to make it as a songwriter, he divided 1-14 his time for a number of years between Nashville and Texas and got 1-15 his first break when he was hired by Bobby Bare as a songwriter, 1-16 delivering Mr. Bare his first number one hit, "Ride Me Down Easy"; 1-17 his own recording career began in 1972 when he was invited to play 1-18 at the Dripping Springs Reunion, considered by many to be the 1-19 fountainhead of the "Outlaw Movement," and his song "Willy the 1-20 Wanderin' Gypsy and Me" was heard by Tom T. Hall, who included it 1-21 on his next album in 1972; and 1-22 WHEREAS, The following year was a banner year for Mr. Shaver, 1-23 as it marked the release of his debut album Old Five and Dimers 1-24 Like Me, and the acclaimed Waylon Jennings album, Honky Tonk 2-1 Heroes, a collaborative effort on which Mr. Shaver penned 9 of the 2-2 album's 10 songs; through the years, his songs have been recorded 2-3 by a host of musical legends, including Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, 2-4 Bob Dylan, Patty Loveless, Kris Kristofferson, Elvis Presley, and 2-5 Roy Acuff, whose rendition of "Georgia on a Fast Train" Mr. Shaver 2-6 counts as his highest professional honor; and 2-7 WHEREAS, Continuing to perform his own music as well, he went 2-8 on to record such classic albums as When I Get My Wings, Gypsy Boy, 2-9 Billy Joe Shaver, I'm Just an Old Chunk of Coal . . . But I'm Gonna 2-10 Be a Diamond Someday, and Salt of the Earth; and 2-11 WHEREAS, He formed the band, Shaver, with his son and went on 2-12 to tour in the U.S., Europe, and Australia and release a number of 2-13 well-received albums, including Victory, which was named in 2-14 remembrance of his mother; and 2-15 WHEREAS, In 1996 Mr. Shaver made his acting debut in the 2-16 Robert Duvall movie, The Apostle, in a role he didn't consider 2-17 "much of a stretch," and he once again demonstrated his remarkable 2-18 ability to relate life's joys and sorrows in a way that strikes a 2-19 chord with people and that has earned him a reputation as one of 2-20 the greatest songwriters of his day; now, therefore, be it 2-21 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-22 Legislature hereby commend Billy Joe Shaver for his lifetime of 2-23 musical accomplishments and extend to him sincere best wishes for 2-24 continued success; and, be it further 2-25 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-26 prepared for Mr. Shaver as an expression of high regard by the 2-27 Texas House of Representatives.