Guest Book

It looks like Billy Joe Shaver day in the guestbook. Ruthelane, I got that quote from Billy Joe myself, in an interview I did with him which I did, it is hard to believe, four years ago. Here it is; http://www.swampland.com/articles/view/swampland/23 as for Linnie, she came up with her own BJS quote. You can suggest music to folks, and they may give it a listen or they may not. Linnie gave it a shot and has let the words and spirit of Billy Joe sink in. Very cool. And yes, I'm an ole chunk of coal, but I'll be a diamond someday. 🙂 However, Billy Joe did right by me on an even more important project after our interview. Later in 2003 June Carter Cash, Johnny's wife, died unexpectedly after surgery, and it ripped Johnny's heart out. Johnny was the ill one, and it was expected that he would go first, to be frank. But that wasn't the cards that were dealt. I was charged with writing up June's obituary, and I was determined to do her justice because she was, by all accounts, a real sweetheart. I put a call out and was amazed by the personal responses and tributes that I received on her behalf by other musicians known the world over. Rodney Crowell, for instance, gave me a wonderfuly written story about her spirit, musician Katie Laur helped as well. Billy Joe Shaver worked for the Cash's when he was an up and coming songwriter, and was a close friend with both of them, and so he asked me to call him so he could give his testimony about June. It was all very heartfelt and very cool. Looking back, all I did was ask, and I couldn't believe what I had to work with all of a sudden when the responses came in. I didn't take it lightly. But, I was just a conduit for these people to express themselves, and the response I got had everything to do with June Carter Cash and not me. The article was only in print until last week, so it is now online here; http://www.swampland.com/articles/view/swampland/163 Derek H