Jerry Reed Was One of Country Music’s Most Colorful Characters
When Jerry Reed died this week, country music lost one of its most colorful characters. Yeah, he wrote some memorable songs, made some great records and developed a guitar style that was truly his own, but his image as a redneck good ol’ boy from Georgia permeated his music and ultimately led to his success as an actor. Through the years, other country music artists have been in feature films, but how many of those movies have been as successful as his work with Burt Reynolds in Smokey and the Bandit or with Adam Sandler in The Waterboy?
Personally, though, my favorite thing about Jerry Reed was his guitar playing. Merle Travis and Chet Atkins provided the blueprint for the fingerstyle guitar technique, but Reed added elements of Ray Charles’ piano playing — and a lot of other things — to come up with an aggressive, rhythmic and funky style that no one had ever attempted before. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that Atkins was to Reed what Jimi Hendrix was to Eddie Van Halen. Both Reed and Van Halen took things to a stylistic plane that few could have ever imagined.
Maybe the intro of “Amos Moses” sums up the best of his guitar playing and his personality, too. With the click and pop of his Fender Telecaster, he provides an exceedingly cool guitar lick that’s been attempted ever since by every country guitar player worth their weight. And he quickly sets up the rest of the song with, “Yeah … here comes Aaaa-mos!” Listen to that and try not to smile. I dare you.
Jerry Reed follows Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and Buck Owens in the line of legends who have passed on during the past few years. It’s a huge loss. He was a true original — and those are always in short supply in Nashville.
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
Roger McIntosh says:
Jerry Reed will truly be missed. He was really a one of a kind person. His humor was unforgetable and his music and talent stands up there with the best. It is said that he follows Wayon, Johnny and Buck; However I think he’d be just as much at home with Jimmy Rodgers and Hank Williams.
Darren says:
we lose another one of the best ones, i can about imagine how much of a nut he was in real life. RIP JERRY
RussH says:
This here’s the Snowman, we’re 10 10 on the side
East bound and Down
Eddie A. says:
JERRY REED WILL BE SADLEY MISS.YOU HAVE BEGUN A NEW JOURNEY.YOU WERE A WONDERFUL STAR. YOU WILL BE MISSED. 10-4 SNOWMAN.
Shayan G says:
Definitely my favorite country singer/songwriter of all time.
I know he’s in Heaven right now–his licks were too hot even for Hell to handle.
Hook it, Jerry!
Ginger says:
Jerry Reed was the greatest I remember listening to his music when I was younger with my Dad. My deepest condolences to his family and friends. RIP Jerry
I showed ‘em what a band would sound like, with a swingin little guitar man… » popBS says:
[...] Wow. Bad week in the world of entertainment. Not to make this the obit blog, but one of my favorites, Jerry Reed recently died. [...]
Bill says:
Jerry is a legend ! A true American treasure! His outstanding guitar playing & his ability to act on the silver screen were nothing short of amazing! He will be deeply missed by us fans but his music and his movie roles will live on forever! My deepest condolences to Jerry’s family. May God bless you all and comfort you!
Rick P. says:
I was shocked when I first read that Jerry Reed had passes away! So many of the great legends are leaving us to often it seems. I have LOVED Smokey and the Bandit since I was 10 years old. Im 37 now. I loved his music, especially the Bandit songs, and “When your Hot your Hot”. Rest in peace Mr Reed, the worlds gonna miss you, and thank you for all the musical and comical memories you bestowed upon the world!
Rick P. says:
I was shocked when I first read that Jerry Reed had passed away! So many of the great legends are leaving us to often it seems. I have LOVED Smokey and the Bandit since I was 10 years old. Im 37 now. I loved his music, especially the Bandit songs, and “When your Hot your Hot”. Rest in peace Mr Reed, the worlds gonna miss you, and thank you for all the musical and comical memories you bestowed upon the world!
我的 Blog » Blog Archive » R.I.P. Jerry Reed says:
[...] star and icon of my childhood — Jerry Reed died yesterday at the age of 71. From CMT: “When Jerry Reed died this week, country music lost one of its most colorful characters. [...]
david says:
jerry I hope you were ready to go, all america will miss you,you’ll always be the alabamma wild man.hook it son hook it!!!!!!!!!!
Dutch says:
Truck on SNOWMAN!!!
Spencer A. says:
I’ll always remember his immortal “Son”……..RIP Snowman
Frank S. says:
I was shocked and saddened to learn of Jerry’s passing. Truly one of the best pickers around and it was said by the likes of Chet Atkins that he never played the same song twice the same way, always creating new licks with each song.
I had the pleasure of hanging out with Jerry back in the late 60’s when he was touring with Glen Campbell. Even help Larry London unload all of Jerry’s guitars in Roanoke the day of the concert Really a super nice guy.
Jerry we’re going to really miss you buddy. Many may immatate you but no one will replace you!!!
kayefun says:
I wrote most of this on my ‘regular’ CMT message board, but decided to bring it on over here.
I remember my friends and I doing a sorta kinda dance jig and hop in my kitchen continuing into the living room to “When You’re Hot, You’re Hot” until we collapsed to the rug in fits of howling laughter.
I remember thinking Jerry Reed’s acting chops weren’t really far off from the man. So full of life, mischief and those wonderful saucy, snappy southern replies he could so easily toss out. (Direct hits they were:)
Jerry Reed was just crazy fun, we sure could use some more of that in the country music world today.
AND sincere condolences to Jerry Reed’s entire family. He surely will be missed.
DJ Stacey says:
With Jerry gone, his style of playing will never be the same. I hope the Good Lord likes a little pick’n, he got the best.
G.Mickschl says:
My heart fell when i heard on the radio that jerry had passed away. It was just a couple of weeks ago that i was telling my 21 year old daughter that if she really wants to listen to some old school country to listen to jerry reed. I played Amos Moses and She got the gold mine I got the shaft. He will truly be missed. Thanks Jerry.
Cherokee Cowboy says:
I will never forget 1979 jukebox single “The Line In Gasoline”.. would seem almost fitting to play again 30yrs later.
Len Jaffe says:
Many thanks to Jerry and his manager at the time, Harry Warner, for discovering a friend of mine, Stewart Harris, back in the early ’70’s, as an up-and-coming singer/songwriter who has done well in the last 35 years or so. Like so many others who have already commented, Jerry was absolutely a one-of-a-kind performer who could go from a love song to a novelty song to a country cover and never break a sweat. “The Snowman” will be engrained in my memory as long as I live. What’s your 20, Jerry? When I’m ready, I want to come hear you pick some more!
RIP.
April says:
Jerry Reed was considered a ‘Drugstore cowboy” when I was a young girl..I remember him playing his guitar and singing in front of Netherlands Drugstore in Atlanta..
I loved him in Smokey and the Bandit and loved his music..
God bless his family……Thanks for the memories…A.Thomas
jim bob says:
“ya’ll quit out loudin me , i’m gonna pick” jerry your the man . shred on
Mr. Music says:
A sad day for country music. In a town where few care about anything other than what piece of someone’s pie that can get their greedy hands on. Today’s charts show nothing short of a Jerry Springer show playlist. What the _ell is Hootie, Kid Rock and Jewel doing on OUR charts? Surrounded by a bunch of no names that go beyond talentless and the entire industry is and has been barely treading water for years. Now it’s up to Kid Rock and Hootie and the 2 dozen 1/2 hit wonders who will be gone this time next year can NOT and will NOT keep music row a float. Teenage goof balls are not the future!
Jerry Reed was an original, something 98% of today’s current crop knows NOTHING about!
God Bless ya’ bro, we’ll be playing your music until the cows come home.
Good Buddy!
George says:
Godspeed Jerry Reed, miss ya already.
Jon Ostrowski says:
What a loss :( I’m sorry to hear the news today.. Jerry you will be greatly missed by many. Rest in Peace Brother…..
Jerry Reed 1937-2008 « That’s Elbert With An E says:
[...] You can get all the lyrics to “Another Puff” here. Jerry Reed is on Wikipedia. Nice tribute post to him on CMT. [...]
ted says:
a GREAT voice in his younger years and always a virtuoso of that swampboogie guitar. an originator and no one has dared to replicate. another true talent laid to rest…
mohamed Imtiaz says:
I was greatly saddened by the news of Jerry Reeds death - a very sad day indeed for country music fans. Jerry was a much loved colorful and hillarious character. His immortal hit “She Got The Goldmine I Got The Shaft” is a “must listen to” for all divorced males sporting
newly bruised emotional scars.
Seems like all the great ones are leaving us one by one - Waylon, Paycheck, Cash ….Most of the new ones are slick,smooth talking,”photogenic” types “manufactured” by dollar hungry media moguls in the hollywood mold with a cash register in place of a heart.
May he rest in peace.
rslewis says:
Make it count, son.
Rest in peace - you will be missed.
Darheim says:
Country music has lost a true legend. Though Jerry was great at writing and singing those humorous tunes, he was also great at singing a ballad as well. My favorite Jerry Reed ballad (which few remember) is the 1978 recording “I Love You (What Can I Say)”. I don’t recall if Jerry wrote it, but he sure could belt it out.
A true country icon has been lost. Jerry understood country music. Many of today’s country wanna-be’s might play an instrument and call it country, but Jerry not only played an instrument, he sang the songs with enough heart, soul and feeling to make you understand it was country music.
He never proclaimed himself as a great actor, but he sure made watching him act a joy.
Jerry picked and sang for over 40 years here on earth. Now he’s picking and singing and entertaining in a new home. Keep ‘em smiling Snowman!
al riggs says:
Jerry Reed and I are the same age and I have followed his career for many years. I agree with all the comments made about him; movies, Amos Moses, Another Puff, etc. but Jerry Reed has been one of the world’s great guitarists for many years. He showed a bit of restraint in his playing guitar with father-in-law, Chet Atkins, but no guitarist, country, rock or any variety could “burn it” like Jerry Reed. Study is bio a little and you’ll learn that he also wrote (Jerry Hubbard) some very touching love songs that fully round out what a superb talent he possessed. Missed? Jerry Reed can never be replaced. Equaled? Who has the guts to try to copy or equal his style.
Play for God now, Snowman
England Ron says:
How very sad, yet another legend dies. I loved this guy.
Condolences to his dear friends and family.
Rest in peace Jerry.
Rose Adams says:
When my daughter was about 6 yrs old, they were filming Smokey and the Bandit in Jupiter Florida. She was walking along Indiantown Road, which she was NOT suppose to be doing, when the 18 wheeler in the movie came by and blew it’s horn at her. She thought that was the most wonderful thing in the world. She was so happy that she told me she was where she shouldn’t be just so she could tell the story. I don’t think I punished her, THAT time.
Yeah, ole Jerry, we’ll all miss you. Who else can make you smile just by seeing YOUR smile.
Oh yeah, my sister waited on him at the Jupiter Beach Hilton. He said, “I’m gonna give you a big tip. Stay outta East China!” (whatever) I guess she took him at his word cause she ain’t never been.
Bye bye, precious. Hey, tell my mamma hey for me. She passed away in 1995 from emphysemia. There has to be a heaven for you two cause you damned sure suffered here on this earth
Kelly Nickels (L.A. Guns) says:
Jerry Reed was one of the coolest cats around. He was in one of my favorite all time movies, W.W. And The Dixie Dance Kings, The first movie I ever saw in a theater. Very sad news indeed. My deepest condolences to his friends and family. Keep on truckin Jerry!!!
Duke Woolsoncroft (Burning Retna) says:
A devastating loss… my bro above mentions W.W. and the Dixie Dance Kings, what he doesn’t mention is that it was the first movie we saw together in a real movie theatre… Jerry is in our childhood and in our hearts… and we will never forget.
God bless you Jerry Reed, keep pickin’ that guitar in heaven, we’ll be along soon.
B.W. LaRoy says:
Cpoyrite! Faders up J.R.
B.W. LaRoy says:
Copyrite Copy right Copyrite!!!
tonya says:
Dear sirs or mams,
I tried for hours, to no avail, to find a loophole or access to a song producer that may be interested in some words I have wrote. I may be knieve but, I’ve felt things that may make a hit song.
Forever I have relieved my pain by writing it down.
Whomever reviews this may be able to send
my e-mail to a person like John Rich or someone. I am not your average idiot I will be 48 really soon. I would give anything for a chance to read to country song maker some of my rhymes straight from feelings.
I would be so excited if a few lines of words from the depts of my soul were someday a song. Hope you will consider sending this this on.
Paul B says:
Jerry Reed was the all around entertainer he could sing, play guitar, tell jokes, and an actor, and do anything he set his mind to do. He will be sadly missed by all. Mr. Jerry Reed Hubburd May eternal life be as good for you as you have for all the people all over the world. Mr. Reed God willin may you “REST IN PEACE” AMEN We will always love you.
Trelawney says:
R I P Jerry 10,4 good buddy we’ll catch you on the flip side.From this British trucker
Robert says:
I, too, was saddened at Jerry’s passing. The Snowman was one of my favorite supporting characters and have a dog that won’t get in the truck when it’s time to go like the snowman had. The soundtrack of Smokey and the Bandit is one of the best for the songs Jerry did. Wore out the grooves playing it. Saddly missed.
Voltara says:
The thing about Jerry Reed, first and foremost, was his virtuosity on the guitar and his extraordinary catalogue of songs. He masked this musical genius with an outward “redneck” image. He was self taught and created a new technique and style of country guitar. Amongst country guitar players who really know jerry Reed was always #1. A great man has passed.
D.R. Auten says:
“…Jerry, when you and Chet get together up there and work on one of your tricky open string lick monsters (that only you and maybe buster B can do)….Just send it on down to me fitst, and I will tell everyone I wote it and it will sell like hot cakes.” And you would say, “yeah a buck a stack,(Jerry Reed Laugh)”…you will be missed by all of us pickers. D.R. Auten
Snyder44 says:
3 Grammy Awards, 2 CMA Instrumentalist of the Year Awards, 1 People’s Choice Award (for Smokey & the Bandit). Guitar Man…Played guitar on records by Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Eddy Arnold, Chet Atkins, Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner, Bobby Bare, Connie Smith, The Browns, Joan Baez, Ringo Starr, Bob Dylan, Ray Charles and of course…Elvis. Songwriter…Had his songs recorded by Chet Atkins, Elvis, Dean Martin, Tom Jones, Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell, Porter Wagoner, Brenda Lee and others. Reed was great actor…working with Burt Reynolds, Bo Hopkins, Gene Hackman, Danny Glover, Adam Sandler, Robin Williams, and Walter Matthau. Jerry Reed was a true American Original. Thanks for everything Jerry. We’ll sure miss you…Rich Snyder York,PA
Mike says:
He went to heaven to play music and make God laugh.
Rest in peace Jerry, I rally liked you.
I would bet that he was a great guy to hang around with and have a few beers.
Mark says:
My dad took me to Radio City Music Hall to see Smokey and The Bandit and that was the first time I had ever seen or heard of Jerry Reed. For years after I tried to imitate not only his guitar style but his mannerisms and his voice. Never got any of it and probably drove my folks crazy. Truly an American Hero.
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Kevin Kyle says:
The Snowman has melted. But NO mention on tonights CMA Awards!!! C.M.A. Country My Ass
Dave S says:
I had the opportunity to see Jerry live in a concert at the Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds. I was about 10 or 11 years old. Probably the first concert I ever went to. It was amazing. I grew up listening to his music. But the real memory is that of meeting him after that concert with my parents. We got an autographed picture and he even autographed my hand. He truly was the “Guitar Man”. Jerry you were a great guitarist and a great actor. You will be missed by many. RIP Jerry.