Billy Joe Shaver at the Lumberyard Saturday Night

Billy Joe Shaver

This Saturday night, local folks will have the opportunity to see another country music legend bring his act to Roscoe when Billy Joe Shaver appears at the Lumberyard.  Shaver, who had his 75th birthday party last Saturday night in LA (see the LA Times’ excellent article about it by clicking here) and has just released his 23rd album, Long in the Tooth, was also the subject of an NPR interview last week and is still going strong.  (The NPR review of the album can be heard here.) 

NPR introduces its review like this: “In 1973, Waylon Jennings released an album called Honky Tonk Heroes that consisted almost entirely, with one exception, of songs written by Billy Joe Shaver, a then-unknown Texas songwriter. Since that time, his songs have been recorded by everyone from Elvis Presley to Willie Nelson, and he's considered one of the founders of the outlaw-country movement.”

Shaver, who released his first album, Old Five and Dimers Like Me, in 1973, is recognized by other country artists as one of the great songwriters in the business.  In addition to Waylon Jennings, Elvis Presley, and Willie Nelson, songs he wrote have been recorded by Kris Kristofferson, Charlie Daniels, David Allen Coe, Joe Ely, the Highwaymen, Patty Loveless, and many others.  In addition, he has recorded duets with Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, and Tanya Tucker.

He has performed at the Grand Ole Opry and CMT Outlaws.  He is a member of the Texas Country Hall of Fame and has received a Lifetime Achievement Award in Songwriting from the Americana Music Convention.

His latest album is currently number 19 on the US Country Music Chart and number 23 on the Indie Chart.  (Willie Nelson helps him out on one of the songs, “It’s Hard To Be an Outlaw.”)  He’ll be playing some of his new songs Saturday night along with some of his old favorites, so don’t miss this opportunity to see him.

The show starts at about 9:30pm.  The opening band will be Nine Mile Mountain beginning at 8:00pm.  The cover charge is $10 in advance and $13 at the door. For reservations and more information, call the Lumberyard at 325-766-2457.

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PLOWBOY PREVIEW DRAWS LARGE CROWD

The 2014 Plowboys, coaches, cheerleaders, and cross country team.

There was no shortage of Plowboy fans last Thursday at the annual Plowboy Preview.  Some 325 hamburger meals were served, and the Junior High Cheerleaders raised $2100 in the process.

The east stands were full as the 2014 football team, coaches, managers, cheerleaders, and cross country team were introduced while the Big Purple Plowboy Band provided the music. 

Cheer Pals and cheerleaders entertain the crowd.

The cheerleaders, assisted by the always entertaining Cheer Pals, led some cheers and the evening concluded with the school song.

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PLOWBOYS SCRIMMAGE HASKELL, MUNDAY NEXT

The Plowboy offense sets to run a play against Haskell.

On Friday afternoon at Plowboy Field, the Roscoe Plowboys’ football teams, both varsity and JV, got their first taste of competition with another school, and the Haskell Indians, who look improved over their last year’s team, provided the Plowboys with plenty to work on.  Series alternated between the varsity and JV teams, and both sides learned where they’re good and where they need to improve.

Tomorrow (not Friday, as was misprinted on the schedule) the Plowboys’ varsity and JV teams travel to Munday for their last scrimmage before the regular season starts on August 29 in Hawley.  The scrimmage in Munday begins at 6:00pm.

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WORK BEGINS ON STATE-FINANCED HOUSING IMPROVEMENTS

Demolished house at 109 Hickory.

Three years ago the Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs approved funding for Roscoe’s involvement in a program to tear down up to five old, substandard homes and replace them with new ones.  Three homes in Roscoe were approved for the program, and last week the work finally began as the old homes were knocked down.  Their remains will be burned sometime this week, clearing the way for new homes to be built in the same location.

The program is one in which the State provides the financing and the homeowners pay back whatever portion their income allows. The financial advantage to the homeowners is obvious, and the City of Roscoe will benefit by the increase in the tax roll and by having new homes going up in town.

Ameriway Construction Company of Kerrville has contracted to destroy the old homes and build the new ones.  The three homes are located at 901 Hickory, 104 Hickory, and 307 N. Cypress.

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WEATHER REPORT

About a tenth of an inch fell in Roscoe yesterday morning.

Early yesterday morning a light shower fell for about fifteen minutes with about a tenth of an inch falling in Roscoe, and on Sunday there was just enough precipitation to get the sidewalks wet, but other than that there was little to no precipitation in the area.  There was thunder and lightning in the north and northwest a couple of evenings last weekend, enough to raise hopes, but nothing that ever materialized.

Sunday, Monday, and yesterday were a cooler than usual with highs of 91°, 82°, and 89° respectively.  Otherwise, it was typical August west Texas weather with highs in the mid to upper nineties, lows in the seventies, and winds from the south.  The hottest day was Friday with 100°.

The forecast is for more of the same, sunny or partly cloudy skies, highs in the mid to upper nineties and lows in the low to mid seventies.  There is no rain in the forecast.

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