A Swingin’ Guitar Man
When I think of Jerry Reed, I remember the times he would show up to Grassland Heights Baptist Church with his wife, Prissy and their girls, Sedina and Lottie, and this was during the era of “When You’re Hot You’re Hot” and he was pretty hot then…but I always wondered why he never opened his mouth and sang during the singing part. Never did. I’ve noticed that about Country Music folk. They usually don’t sing in church. (’Cept Ricky Skaggs and the Whites do. They’re fun to sit next to in church, I tell you what. )
Anyway, Jerry Reed was SO hot, he was on Scooby Doo…movies, the obvious was the Smokey and the Bandit movies, but, I always dug him in “The Survivors” with Robin Williams, “The Waterboy” and a bunch of others; (he was a good character actor) he was a good songwriter, and to me, he was just an amazing guitarist. He had such a groove. Dang, I loved to hear that man play.
Jerry also had a short-lived television show in the 70’s that my Dad was the emcee of.
I hate that the Alabama (although he was from Georgia )Wildman is gone. He was something else.
[...] to add: Sadcox has a heartfelt post about Reed, as does Sista Smiff (I just knew she would…she has the best [...]
I am bereft.
One of the last good guys in town. Plus, his phone number was in the book! Seriously.
Thank you, Sista. We loves you.
I remember that! Jerry Hubbard. HA! Legend had it that Jerry gave his T/A from Bandit to his nephew, Reagan.
Lordy mercy that makes me think of another sto-ree. I think I done blogged that one though. Heh.
[...] that old), we used to watch his variety show on TV (I had no idea until reading it tonight that Sista Smiff’s dad Biff was the emcee, though not surprised), my dad had all his records for years and years – all long before the movie [...]
Amos Moses Was a Cajun - RIP Jerry Reed « Lynnster’s Music Zone said this on September 3, 2008 at 11:49 pm |
That was such a great article Sistah. I was shocked and saddened, but not totally surprised by the news of Jerry’s passing. I work at a radio station in Missouri, and he was headliner at our county fair not long ago and he didn’t seem to feel very good, a shock since I was so used to Jerry being bigger than life.
I first was impressed with Jerry when he would pop up on the Glen Campbell show. It was the best part of that show, and he was just so incredibly cool and fun and impressive. Then, I saw WW and the Dixie Dancekings, and I thought “Wow, this guy can act too?” , but then I saw him in “Gator” and his evil portrayal knocked me out, and I did my end of semester project in radio music production at the University of Missouri, Columbia on Jerry’s music, since he was my main influence in playing guitar. I always wished I could have had a jam session with him.
Oh, when I worked at six flags in missouri in 1974 AND 1975, I was posted at the amphitheater for crowd control, and Jerry played there twice. It was awesome. So, I have loved and admired Jerry Reed for years, and I was so saddened when he passed away.
RIP guitar man