Country History X

From suffering a heart attack mid performance on stage, to playing Russian roulette with an automatic pistol, these are the many times Outlaw country legend Billy Joe Shaver cheated death, and lived to become a hero.

This topic was also explored in Country History X Episode #6, originally published in May of 2021. Around the release of the "Cocaine Bear" feature film, new revelations came to light. This episode clears up continued previous misconceptions with new reporting.

When Johnny Cash was just 12, the gruesome death of his older brother and hero Jack significantly affected his life, turning the young boy into The Man in Black, shaping his approach to music, and fueling his addictions through guilt.

Conway Twitty had forty #1 songs in country music, more than anyone but George Strait. He was one of the most successful country artists in history. In his era, he was like the Elvis of country. So why don't you hear as much about him as you do other big stars? One major reason is a bitter estate dispute that saw his assets and his iconic "Twitty City" sold off.

Gary Stewart is one of the most underrated performers, singers, and songwriters in country music history. When his wife and songwriting partner Mary Lou passed away, Gary Stewart couldn't carry on, making for one of the most heartbreaking love stories in country music history.

Merle Haggard was one of country music's most famous former convicts, though most of his crimes were petty. The reason he landed in the  notorious San Quentin Prison was due to how many times he escaped from smaller facilities and local jails. But did he really escape 17 times as is claimed?

In 1993, Garth Brooks and the Super Bowl would clash. It was like King  Kong vs. Godzilla, with these two titans of American culture squaring off for all time. And ultimately, one side had to win.

There is only one artist in this history of country music whose singing is so revered, he's referred to simply as "The Voice." But the career of Vern Gosdin also may contain one of the most sinister secrets in the history of country music. Did Vern Gosdin really contract two men to murder his producer Gary S. Paxton? 

Could it be that the most important and influential bloodline in country music actually has a lost branch? Meanwhile, a 4th generation of performers has emerged to keep the bloodline going. 

A story of courage and character, and how a split second decision by country legend Marty Robbins on the racetrack forever changed the destiny of numerous people who would go on to help shape American culture.

Arguably the most important artifact in country music---and most certainly the most valuable one---is not an instrument as one might assume. Instead it is a work of art, and one that holds special importance, has an incredible story, and was never officially finished.

For his Hall of Fame career, Randy Travis's ace-in-the-hole behind-the-scenes was his manager, his biggest believer, his staunchest champion, his eventual wife, and eventually, his biggest and most catastrophic adversary, Elizabeth "Lib" Hatcher. This is their story.

How none other than Johnny Cash was the first person to intercept the World-changing news of Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin's death, and communicated it to the Free World while stationed in Germany as a Morse code interceptor for the Air Force.

The story of Waylon's notorious relationship with cocaine told through the improbable tale of a police officer and lawyer turned drug smuggler from Kentucky, and a cocaine-eating bear. 

The tragic life and death of Keith Whitley who died at the age of 34 due  to alcohol abuse, and the conspiracy theories that surrounded it, told  through the eyes of his widow Lorrie Morgan.

How a member of the Mafia turned government informant used the United States Witness Protection Program as a shield to allegedly bilk MILLIONS of dollars from hundreds of people and entities through the Toby Keith and Rascal Flatts restaurant franchises.

Charlie Rich whipping out his lighter, and burning the card announcing  John Denver as the 1975 CMA Entertainer of the Year is considered one of  the great moments of protest in country music history. But was his  intent to protest John Denver's win, or something else?

Many know the "perfect Country & Western song" is "You Never Even Called Me By My Name" performed by David Allan Coe, and written by Steve Goodman. But what many don't know is that John Prine was a co-writer of the song. This is the story of why his name was left off the iconic song, and how it was written. 

The story of how two international drug smugglers obtained a box of unheard George Jones recordings, and used them as bail collateral.