Billy Joe Shaver Tribute Takes Shape in Austin

photo: Kyle Coroneos

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in restricted crowd size and travel, but a strong contingent of Austin, TX musical talent will be coming together for a socially-distanced Billy Joe Shaver tribute concert on Sunday, November 22nd at the city’s Long Center in an outdoor event.

Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel, Dale Watson, Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis, Nikki Lane, Shakey Graves, and Monte Warden will be performing in tribute to the songwriting Outlaw legend, while Charlie Sexton has stepped up to lead an all-star band and arrange the event. Additional “special guests” may also appear.

Called The Songs I Left Behind: A Tribute to Billy Joe Shaver, it is being produced by the Long Center, which has been holding a series of socially-distanced shows on the facility’s lawn in recent weeks featuring Hayes Carll, Jon Moreland, and others. The Luck Reunion has also stepped up to help with the effort, which produces events at Willie Nelson’s Luck, TX compound outside of Austin.

Crowd size will be very limited due to COVID-19, and available in socially-distanced square plots on the lawn that accommodate up to four guests. The concert is scheduled for 2:00 pm. For more information and tickets, visit The Long Center website. At the moment there is no information about plans to stream or capture the event for those who can’t attend, but stay tuned if this information becomes available.

Outlaw country legend Billy Joe Shaver died on Wednesday, October 28th after suffering a massive stroke on the morning of October 27th while in a rehabilitation facility. He was 81 years old. Born in Corsicana, TX, and growing up and residing near Waco, he was considered a seminal member of the Austin Outlaw country scene that emerged in the city during the 70’s.

SEE: Billy Joe Shaver’s Final Performance

© 2023 Saving Country Music