Customer Reviews

Honky Tonk Hero

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Honky Tonk Hero is a MUST read for everyone from hometown Waco Willies to East coast city dwellers and West coast surfers~all will relate to this heart warming personal story. Through incredibly well written vivid descriptions Shaver's narration comes alive. Drama, heartbreak, and family troubles are highlighted through downhome recollections bringing the reader into Shaver's heart, mind and soul. A moving story of his personal struggles, battles and talented accomplishments. So superbly written it will linger on the mind long after the last page is turned ...just like the melody of his songs linger in the heart after the last verse is sung!

an excellent book-Billy Joe is a true songwriter-very few writers today compare
i would recommend this book to anyone-aspiring poets to country music singers

YOu can read this book in one setting... and it's a winner. Lot's of down home stuff mixed with some very good stories about his growing up. I was amazed he survived the whole music scene and still lives today producing some excellent songs and music. A must read if you admire Billy Joe...

From the day he was conceived he was a fighter a Honky Took Hero which is reflected in his songs. the words of the songs are in this book. So you get his life in song and story.

The book was like Billy Joe's music; honest and to the point. It was great reading about his relationships with Waylon and other country stars. The lyrics to all his songs was a wonderful bonus. I only wished there was more.

Now I know the stories behind the songs, a person can find themselves in his stories and his songs, thats why they have such life.

I am a huge fan of Billy Joe Shaver. This book tells of his difficult childhood and the demons he has fought in his lifetime. The book is short and to the point. If you are a fan and would like to know more about where he comes from and the history that influences his music, this is a must read.

Billy Joe Shaver rocks. The bio is very informative and personal. Wish it was a bit longer. However it does include lyrics to all the songs. Great read!

People must read this book! I must say I did not know much about Billy Joe before reading this but it is clear that this man can teach everyone the true lessons of life. Billy Joe is someone who has truly lived a life and shares it with people in his poems about it:

"When you get down to it country music is essentially the blues, and my whole life the blues have never left me. I've lost parts of 3 fingers, broke my back, suffered a heart attack and a quadruple bypass, had a steel plate put in my neck and 136 stitches in my head, fought drugs and booze, spent the money I had, and burried my wife, son, and mother in the span of 1 year.

"But I'm not here to complain or ask for pity. Life is hard for everybody, just in different ways. I'm not proud of my misfortune--I'm proud of my survival. For years my family kept a kept a bundle of life insurance on me because they were sure I would be the first to go. But as I write this, at 64 years of age, I'm still here and they are all gone." (p.viii)

The actual story is short, but it is very weighty at the same time. You will ponder and grin at every word while he tells his life's story. And after that you will listen to every word of his poems (lyrics) as a glimpse into this mans soul.

There is no need to complain about the brevity of Billy Joe's life story (75 pages). As I said It is very heavy and will surely put you into a different place in time, through the eyes of a man who has lived through it all and is alive still to tell about it; into the soul of a life that only a handful know and countless dream about.

I have been a fan of Billy Joe's for over thirty years and enjoyed getting to know the background of a unique songwriter and fellow Texan. Although short, this was an entertaining read. A bonus for songwriters like myself, is the section with the lyrics for all of Billy Joe's best known songs. A neat side note- I got my book autographed after a recent concert in Tyler, Texas. Long live Billy Joe Shaver and Texas Music.