WACO, Texas — Billy Joe Shaver will undoubtedly, as his song heard in the movie Crazy Heart espouses, “live forever.”

But occasionally parts wear out and Shaver will spend the summer recuperating from surgery for two tears in his bicep ligament. Last month he spent one night in the hospital after doctors placed a stent in a coronary artery supplying blood to the heart.

Shaver has canceled his August dates in order to give himself time to heal.

“I think God came down and did this to me so that I’d rest up a while,” Shaver said. “I wouldn’t have slowed down otherwise.”

“If I’d known I was going to live this long, I’d have taken better care of myself,” added the 71-year-old performer. “But please tell everyone I will be back as soon as I mend up.”

Posted by: Sam Moore

Tags: Billy Joe Shaver, Texas music