Eric Schumacher-Rasmussen reports:

Eddy Shaver, one of the most lauded guitarists on the alt-country scene, died in his sleep on Sunday in Waco, Texas, according to a statement from his publicist. He was 38.

No cause of death has been announced.

Shaver signed on with his father, Billy Joe Shaver, on the elder singer/songwriter's 1981 album, I'm Just an Old Chunk of Coal ... But I'm Gonna Be a Diamond Someday, and toured with Dwight Yoakam from 1987–89. In 1993, father and son teamed up with bassist Keith Christopher to form the band Shaver, and released Tramp on Your Street. The album featured "If I Give My Soul" (RealAudio excerpt) and a new version of "Georgia on a Fast Train" (RealAudio excerpt), which Billy Joe originally recorded on his 1973 debut, Old Five and Dimers Like Me.

Eddy Shaver was known for his stinging, slashing leads on a Stratocaster given to him by Dickey Betts.

Eddy Shaver, known for the stinging, slashing leads he played on a Fender Stratocaster given to him by Allman Brothers guitarist Dickey Betts, also guested on Todd Snider's 1994 Songs for the Daily Planet. Betts also gave Shaver a Gibson 335 that had belonged to the late Duane Allman.

The band Shaver released four more albums, including 1998's Victory and 1999's Electric Shaver, with Eddy playing electric and acoustic guitar in addition to Dobro. Their sixth disc, The Earth Rolls On, is tentatively set for release this spring on New West Records.

In 1996, Shaver released his own blues-rock solo album, Baptism of Fire, on the French Dixiefrog label. He was set to begin recording his first U.S. solo album this week for Antone's Records, with Betts appearing as a special guest.

"Eddy was an incredibly talented guitar player, songwriter and producer," New West President Cameron Strong said in a statement. "He and Billy Joe were quite a team and made some of the most honest and powerful music in recent history."

Billy Joe Shaver helped revitalize country music as a songwriter in the early 1970s, with a gritty, worldly take that stood in stark contrast to the slick Nashville product of the time. Shaver wrote most of the songs on Waylon Jennings' classic 1973 album, Honky Tonk Heroes, including "Ain't No God in Mexico" and "Black Rose."

Besides his father, Shaver's survivors include his wife, Irene Triola, whom he married in October.

Services will be at 2 p.m. on Thursday at Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waco, with interment to follow at Waco Memorial Park.

[ Tues., January 2, 2001 6:28 PM EST ]

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