Tag: Long in the Tooth

Billy Joe Shaver Knows It Is “Hard to Be an Outlaw”

Long in the Tooth

Billy Joe Shaver will release his first studio album in six years on August 5, Long in the Tooth. The album, to be released on Lightning Rod Records, features the 74-year-old Shaver performing a duet with Willie Nelson on “Hard to Be an Outlaw.” Other folks appearing on what Shaver claims is his best album ever includes Leon Russell, Tony Joe White, Joel Guzman, Shawn Camp, and Jedd Hughes. Shaver promises the new album will also include a rap song.

Regarding the duet with Nelson, Shaver explained to Rolling Stone that he and Nelson bounced ideas back and forth over the telephone. Nelson included his solo effort on “Hard to Be an Outlaw” on his own new album Band of Brothers (2014), but below you can check out the Shaver-Nelson version of “Hard to Be an Outlaw,” which, not surprisingly, takes the side of Outlaw country music.


Album cover photo via Shaver’s Facebook page. What do you think of “Hard to Be an Outlaw”? Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • That Time Willie Nelson Got a Little Emotional Singing with Leon Russell and Ray Charles
  • Willie Nelson’s New Video for “The Wall”
  • When is Mickey Newbury’s “33rd of August”?
  • Internet Venom, Toby Keith’s Death, . . . and Grace from Willie Nelson
  • Karen O and Willie Nelson Record “Under Pressure” (Pandemic Song of the Day)
  • When the World Seems to be Spinnin’ Hopelessly Out of Control

    • (Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)