Yellowstone Star Ryan Bingham is honoring Billy Joe Shaver and Jerry Jeff Walker with a moving tribute. The actor and singer performed a heartfelt cover of Shaver’s song “Live Forever.”
He wrote, “Lost a few more of my heroes over the past couple of weeks. This one is for Billy Joe and Jerry Jeff. ‘Just like the songs you leave behind you, you’re gonna live forever now.'”
Yellowstone fans may know Bingham as the prisoner turned ranch hand, Walker. But in real life, he is also a singer and songwriter. Bingham most recently released his sixth studio album American Love Song, which charted No. 4 on Billboard’s Folk chart.
Billy Joe Shaver and Jerry Jeff Walker Died in October
The actor and singer took a moment to remember the Outlaw Country legends. Both Walker and Shaver passed away in October independently. Walker had been ill for some time prior to his death on Oct 24. Shaver died after having a stroke on Oct. 28.
Walker had a career that spanned almost six decades. He started playing in Greenwich Village but later moved to Austin, Texas where he became a staple in the city’s music scene. Walker worked with several founders of Outlaw Country. His most iconic tune is perhaps “Mr. Bojangles.”
Walker developed the idea for the song after spending the night in a New Orleans jail. The song was popular and remains iconic. Several famous musicians like Bob Dylan, Sammy Davis Jr. and Neil Diamond covered the tune. Walker was prolific as a musician, with his last album coming out in 2018.
Meanwhile, Shaver created some of the genre’s most iconic songs. He’s best remembered for writing classics like “Honky Tonk Heroes,” “Georgia on a Fast Train, and “Old Five and Dimers Like Me.” Shaver worked with several of music’s greatest voices including Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, and Elvis Presley.
Several musicians and celebrities, including Bingham, mourned the duo’s passing.
