Corsicana Set to Honor Billy Joe Shaver

Billy Joe ShaverOrganizers are working on plans for original country music Outlaw Billy Joe Shaver to be honored by Corsicana, TX, the town he was born in.

Tentative plans include renaming a portion of the street Billy Joe grew up on in Corsicana to “Billy Joe Shaver Way,” as well as adding a prominent “Billy Joe Shaver Way” exit off of Interstate 45. Shaver’s dad left before he was born, and so his grandmother would watch him while his mother traveled to Waco for work. Corsicana is where he received his “8th Grade education” made famous by his hit “Georgia On A Fast Train.” (Shaver dropped out to pick cotton with his uncles.)

There’s also plans for a Billy Joe “Appreciation Day,” tentatively set for Tuesday, October 12, with “several Texas and some out of state artists who have agreed to appear.”

Billy Joe’s 2002 album Freedom’s Child includes a song called Corsicana Daily Sun in which Billy Joe recalls leaving his grandmother’s side, and later reminisces about the simple pleasures of Corsicana life.

*****UPDATE*****UPDATE*****UPDATE*****

AJ, whose been a big help with this story, just posted some additional info in the comments:

“This was the brainchild of Kris Smith, music writer for the Navarro County Times. She also said they would likely have an unveiling of the I45 signs around 4:00 in the afternoon, and then a tribute concert beginning at 6:30 (on Oct 12th, 2010).

James G. Odom said, “Billy will be there. He seemed to get a big lift when I told him about it Friday. The show will be acoustic, and participants will sing Shaver songs only. No one is being paid. Whether Billy plays is purely up to him.”

Please note: These events are still being planned and organized so details might change in the future. I’ll try to keep everyone updated when times, places, and people are set in stone.

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