He is a guitarist, singer-songwriter and actor, born Jerry Reed Hubbard in Atlanta, Georgia, spending the first seven years of his life in foster homes until he was re-united with his mother and stepfather. He played guitar from childhood and by high school was singing and writing songs.
He cut his first record at the age of 18 and after several years Gene Vincent recorded his “Crazy Legs”. After serving in the military he moved to Nashville in 1961.
He achieved success with songs such as “That’s All You Got To Do” which Brenda Lee recorded, “Goodnight Irene” and “Guitar Man”, which Elvis Presley recorded, and he had his own first hit with “When You’re Hot, You’re Hot” in 1971. He teamed up with Chet Atkins and they collaborated on several albums.
He was a regular guest on the Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour and was the cartoon character of himself in Scooby Doo’s Phantom of the Music Hall. In 1998 he starred as the head coach in the film The Waterboy, but his most famous acting role is probably Burt Reynold’s sidekick in Smokey and the Bandit.
He passed away in Nashville, Tennessee in September 2008 at the age of 71 after complications from emphysema.
Chet Atkins recordings
Huntin’ Boots (Jerry Reed)
https://youtu.be/TugNZU8rUVE
Source:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Reed
- http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0715274/
- http://www.countryhome.de/interviews/interview_eng_2005/jerry_reed.htm
- http://www.johnrook.com/Never%20Forgotten.htm