Jerry Reed

Jerry Reed Hubbard, more reverently known to fans and fellow performers as Jerry Reed, was a multi-faceted musician whose career meandered through and significantly impacted the landscape of country music. Born on March 20, 1937, in a modest setting in Atlanta, Georgia, Reed's journey from struggling session musician to revered guitarist, singer, and songwriter sketched a remarkable trajectory that entertained millions. His story is not just of chart successes but of artistic innovation and the reshaping of country music's boundaries. From a young age, Reed demonstrated an instinct for rhythm and a passion for the guitar. By the time he was eighteen, Reed had already made the pilgrimage to Nashville, the heartland of country music. After signing with Capitol Records in 1955, he experienced modest success with his early recordings. Yet, it wasn't until the early 1960s that he truly caught the public’s ear, as a songwriter crafting hits for other artists. Notably, his compositions "Misery Loves Company," performed by Porter Wagoner, and "That’s All You Got to Do," recorded by Brenda Lee, hinted at his burgeoning prowess. A pivotal chapter in Reed’s career unfolded in the late 1960s when he garnered wider acclaim for his own performances. Songs like "Guitar Man" and "U.S. Male," brought to greater fame by his rapport with Elvis Presley, exemplified his spirited style. Presley's renditions introduced Reed to a broader audience and cemented his reputation as a master ironist and adept lyricist. His guitar prowess, particularly his adoption and popularization of the fingerstyle picking technique, which merged country, rock, and blues, was equally innovative. Jerry Reed's peak years as a solo artist spanned the late 1960s into the early 1970s, marked by a series of top-charting singles that defined an era. "Amos Moses," his 1970 hit, mixed elements of swamp rock with humor, showcasing Reed's flair for storytelling through music. Equally significant was the Grammy-winning "When You're Hot, You're Hot," released in 1971. This track, with its infectious rhythm and conversational, almost whimsical lyrics, solidified his place in the pantheon of country greats. Reed’s career, however, was not confined to music alone. He ventured into Hollywood during the 1970s and 1980s, most notably winning the affection of moviegoers in the "Smokey and the Bandit" film series. Portraying the endearingly likeable trucker Cledus Snow, Reed's on-screen charisma mirrored the down-to-earth honesty of his musical persona. His work in films provided him not only with an acting platform but also opportunities to contribute to soundtracks, most famously with "East Bound and Down," a song synonymous with the rubber-burning escapades of the Bandit. An essential aspect of Reed's enduring influence was his reputation amongst musicians, who revered him for his virtuosity and inventiveness on the guitar. A fisher of dazzling picking patterns and complex chord structures, Reed inspired figures such as Chet Atkins. The connection between Reed and Atkins transcended professional respect, blossoming into a genuine friendship and collaborative enterprise. Together, they produced several albums, firstly with "Me & Jerry" in 1970, winning a Grammy for Best Country Instrumental Performance. Despite the evolution of musical trends over the decades, Reed maintained a dedicated following. His improvisational skills, combined with the warmth of his personality, kept crowds returning even as his music evolved. His sense of humor and candid songwriting became trademarks that never compromised his artistic integrity. Yet, as much as Reed basked in the glow of his musical successes, he always acknowledged his rural Southern roots. He often said that his upbringing informed the themes and stories within his songs. This authenticity underpinned his career and fueled the kind of loyalty and admiration that endured throughout his lifetime. Jerry Reed passed away on September 1, 2008, from complications related to emphysema, leaving behind an indelible legacy that musicians continue to uphold and recreate. His innovative techniques and the lively persona he etched into both music and film remain vivid in the cultural memory. It's the simplistic candor of Reed’s lyrics, paired with the scintillating mastery of his guitar intertwines—a testament to an artist who not only thrived within the frameworks of country music but also stretched beyond them, making a stamp that was uniquely his own.