Shel Silverstein was born in Chicago, where he grew up in the working class Logan Square neighborhood (which has lately become home to artists and vegan restaurants). He is probably best known for his children's books, including The Giving Tree and Where the Sidewalk Ends, but he was also a prolific songwriter and performer. He wrote in many genres, including country music, children's songs, rock, and humor (some of which was pretty weird, as he described it himself). He won a Grammy for "A Boy Named Sue," which was Johnny Cash's only top ten single. Here are some of his songs, performed by Silverstein and others:
"Show It at the Beach"
"A Boy Named Sue," by Johnny Cash
"One's on the Way" by Loretta Lynn
"Queen of the Silver Dollar," by Emmylou Harris (audio only)
"Boa Constrictor"
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