Jerry Reed Biography

Jerry Reed Basic Facts:

Name: Jerry Reed Hubbard
Birthdate: March 20, 1937
Birthplace: Atlanta, Georgia
Died: August 31, 2008

Country Style: Traditional Country

Jerry Reed Songwriting:

Jerry Reed was known as a songwriter before he had a solo career. He wrote "That's All You Got To Do," which was covered by Brenda Lee. He earned his first Top 20 hit with a song he write as a tribute to Elvis Presley, called "Tupelo Mississippi Flash."

Musical Influences:

Chet Atkins and Merle Travis.

Suggested Jerry Reed Songs:

• Download/Purchase "When You're Hot, You're Hot"
• Download/Purchase "Amos Moses"
• Download/Purchase "East Bound and Down"
• Download/Purchase "She Got the Goldmine (I Got the Shaft)"
• Download/Purchase "Guitar Man"

Similar Artists:

Some other artists with music similar to Jerry Reed

• Chet Atkins
• Bobby Bare
• Merle Travis

Recommended Albums:

• The Essential Jerry Reed
• Lord Mr. Ford
• Jerry Reed Live, Still

Jerry Reed Biography:

Jerry Reed Hubbard was born on March 20, 1937, in Atlanta, GA. His parents split up when he was only 4 months old, and he and his sister spent seven years living in various foster homes.

From a young age, Reed knew he wanted to be a star. By high school, he was writing, singing, and playing the guitar.

At the age of 18, he was signed to a recording contract, releasing "If the Good Lord's Willing, and the Creek's Don't Rise" as his first record. The type of music he recorded at the beginning of his career was rockabilly and country. He didn't have much success at first, not until labelmate Gene Vincent recorded Reed's "Crazy Legs."

Reed joined the Navy and married Priscilla Mitchell in 1959, and continued to write. Brenda Lee recorded his song "That's All You Got To Do" in 1960. In 1961, he moved to Nashville, where he became a session guitarist. In 1964, he joined RCA at the urging of label executive Chet Atkins, who later produced his music.

Guitar Man

"Guitar Man" was the song that really brought Jerry Reed his first success. Although the song didn't soar up the charts, it got the attention of Elvis Presley, who recorded the song, using Reed on guitar.

Reed's career picked up in 1967 when he released "Tupelo Mississippi Flash," which was inspired by Presley, and "Remembering." But, in 1970, he finally charted his first Top 10 hit, as "Amos Moses" peaked at No. 8 on the pop charts. He became a regular on the Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour. He eventually reached No. 1 with three different songs: "When You're Hot, You're Hot," "Lord, Mr. Ford," and "She Got The Goldmine (I Got the Shaft)."

10-4 Snowman

In the 1970s, Jerry Reed paired up with Burt Reynolds for a series of movies. They starred in WW and the Dixie Dancekings, Gator, and one of his most beloved roles as Cledus "Snowman" Snow in Smokey & the Bandit. It was the latter film that produced the No. 2 single, "East Bound and Down." He went on to star in two more "Bandit" films in 1980 and 1983.

Reed collaborated with Chet Atkins on two duet albums; the first, "Me and Jerry," received a Grammy in 1970 for Best Country Instrumental Performance. Reed won a second Grammy the following year for Best Male Country Vocal on "When You're Hot, You're Hot."

Reed had been nicknamed "The Guitar Man," and had a unique way of picking, called "The Claw." He used all the fingers on his right hand to pick the notes.

One of his final albums was a live album, entitled Jerry Reed: Live Still.

Reed passed away on August 31, 2008 in Nashville from complications from emphysema.