10/15/2026
On New Year’s Eve 2000, Billy Joe Shaver lost his only son. That night, he still went onstage to perform.
Eddy Shaver was just 38. For years, he had played guitar beside his father. Together, they recorded music under the name Shaver and wrote “Live Forever,” a song that country fans still remember.
Billy Joe had already lost his wife, Brenda, and his mother in 1999. Now he had lost the son who had been his musical partner for so many years.
He had a show scheduled near Austin that evening. Willie Nelson, his longtime friend, encouraged him to come. Billy Joe couldn't find his band, so Willie gathered some musicians and took the stage himself.
Willie played most of the night. Billy Joe came up to sing a few times, but Willie and the other musicians carried the show.
Years later, Billy Joe told Terry Gross that Willie was the one who helped him get back out into the world. After the show, they went to Willie's house and talked.
They had known each other since the 1950s. And Billy Joe had even more to say about how Willie helped him after Eddy's death.
Which Billy Joe Shaver song brings back the most memories for you — “Live Forever,” “Georgia on a Fast Train,” or another favorite?
▶️ Enjoy the song in the 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 👇
