The late Billy Joe Shaver tells the story behind 'Old Chunk of Coal'

I met Billy Joe in the 80s, at the tender age of 23. I had seen him perform at a popular club a few years before. I had just turned 21 and went with some friends. Billy Joe Shaver was performing that night. I had never heard of him. My excitement was all in, not for this unknown man, but being in a club. The moment Billy Joe started playing his guitar, I was mesmerized! Everything and everyone became invisible to me. His style and that twanging voice had hooked me. A few years passed,the memory of that night never faded. A friend told me that club was hiring. I immediately applied for a job. I actually thought, if I can work at this club, I might be able to see Billy Joe Shaver again. I was hired and trained to tend the bar. Right after I was hired I asked the boss if Billy Joe Shaver might perform there again. The boss laughed and said absolutely he is a friend of mine and we love having him come. I met Billy Joe many times as he came to perform quite a bit. He actually told me the story about I'm just an old chunk of coal. A few of the details are a little different, but the most important details are the same. He told me he was actually going to jump off that cliff,as he started to step off the cliff, the next memory he had, he was on his knees facing the opposite way. He told me he got up and as he was walking down the cliff the words just kept coming out, to I'm just an old chunk of coal. He told me when he arrived home, he sat at his table and wrote the words down. When he finished the song he signed Jesus because he didn't want the recognition for writing a song that Jesus actually wrote. I've held that story in my heart and have shared the story with many through the years. All my children know the story and all my close friends know it as well. I stopped listening to music a lot with life turning busy, working and raising kids. I bought a Billy Joe Shaver cd a few years before he passed. When I played that cd, I looked at my son and said, oh my goodness, I almost forgot the greatness!! I will hold my Billy Joe Shaver memories forever. Not many people have had an impact on my soul, Billy Joe Shaver truly has. Very blessed to have had the opportunity to meet him. Not only his music but our conversations will always be a part of my heart.

I love Billie Jo’s songs. He knew how to reach your soul with his music. He and son Eddie are deeply missed. RIP

I love BJS music. I wish I could have seen him in person. Guess I will one day. Long live the Texas singer-songwriter.

I am very glad that he prayed...

The wonderful Billy Joe. Fantastic songwriter. Wrote some of Waylons greatest hits. This man was down at his lowest,but through the power of The Almighty,he turned his life around. Rest In Peace Billy Joe. You and Waylon will be singing up there in the greatest band ever.Gone But Never Forgotten. Thanks for This Wonderful Upload. Regards Frank

Lovely video

Beautiful testimony. I'm glad you had your vision n went to the mountain. The Lord Himself had to get away sometimes...a mountain, a garden, wilderness, a boat. I'm thankful for you n that you chose the alter n the Lord gave you this wonderful song.

Billie Joe Shaver was such a great man. Just think how great he could have been if he had turned his life around sooner. I'm glad that he got it right before the end. God bless you. You are one of the great legends of Texas.

what a legend

Love this story

Good story.

BJS wrote a ton of great music. Love these old Stan Hitchcock videos with the legends.

wonderful! but! did he just ask God to "put his life back together" OR DID HE GET RIGHT WITH GOD! oh there is a difference friend! john 3:3 you must be born again! i sure hope he really got saved. because now it is too late for him. if you don't know Jesus as your savior, repent today!,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,